CRA GST/HST Credit – $698 Payment Update for October 2025, Not December

If you’re waiting for the $698 CRA GST/HST Credit to arrive in December 2025, here’s the truth: the payment actually drops in October, not December. Confusion around the payment date is common, but the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) follows a fixed schedule for issuing GST/HST credits every year—January, April, July, and October. The next payment of $698 is set for October 3, 2025, and it will go straight into the bank accounts of eligible Canadians.

Overview

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment made to individuals and families with low to modest incomes to help offset the goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST) they pay. It’s an automatic benefit, so there’s no separate application required—as long as you file your income tax return, you’re in the system.

Many expected a credit in December 2025, but that’s incorrect. CRA’s quarterly schedule makes October 3, 2025, the final payment date of the year.

Payment

Let’s be clear: no GST/HST credit is issued in December 2025. Instead, here’s the official 2025 schedule:

Payment Number	Date
1st Payment	January 3
2nd Payment	April 4
3rd Payment	July 4
4th Payment	October 3

If you’re eligible, expect $698 to be credited to your bank account on October 3, 2025. No need to apply—just make sure your tax return is filed and your information is current with the CRA.

Eligibility

Wondering if you qualify for the $698 CRA GST/HST credit? Here’s the checklist:

• You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• You should be 19 years or older.
• You must be living with a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.
• You filed your income tax return for the previous year.
• Your family net income must be below the CRA’s income thresholds.

If you’re under 19 but have a child or spouse, you might still be eligible.

Amount

The $698 figure is the maximum annual credit, which is usually split into four equal payments unless your situation qualifies for adjusted amounts. Payment amounts vary depending on:

• Marital status
• Number of children
• Family income

Here’s an estimated breakdown for maximum payments:

Category	Annual Credit	Quarterly Amount
Single adult	$306	$76.50
Married/Common-law	$408	$102.00
Per child (2 max)	$122	$30.50

Note: These are estimated and rounded figures. The $698 may apply to a combined family or household total.

Application

The best part? No application is needed to receive the GST/HST credit. Just follow these simple steps:

1. File your income tax return every year—even with no income.
2. Keep your bank details and mailing address updated through the CRA My Account portal.
3. CRA automatically calculates your eligibility based on your tax return.

If your personal situation changes (marriage, new child, etc.), report those changes as soon as possible to avoid benefit disruptions.

CRA Notes

The CRA uses your previous year’s tax information to calculate your GST/HST credit. So, for the October 2025 payment, they’ll use your 2024 tax return.

If you miss filing or your details are outdated, your payment may be delayed or withheld. So be proactive and make sure your CRA account is always up to date.

Fact Check

Despite various rumors and misinformation, there is no December GST/HST payment. The final 2025 payment is scheduled for October 3, and that’s straight from CRA’s official calendar.

To avoid confusion:

• Trust only official sources like canada.ca.
• Login to CRA My Account to check your personalized payment dates and amounts.
• Don’t expect another payment until January 2026.

FAQs