CRA Confirms $400 December Family Refund — Apply by December 15 to Qualify

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has officially confirmed a $400 Family Refund set to be paid out this December 2025. Designed to ease the burden of year-end expenses, this one-time payment is a financial lifeline for families feeling the pinch of rising costs during the holiday season. But here’s the catch — to qualify, you must submit all required information by December 15, 2025.

If you’re a Canadian family hoping to receive this benefit, here’s what you need to know — from eligibility and required documents to how and when the refund will be delivered.

Refund

The CRA’s $400 Family Refund is aimed at helping households manage essential holiday-season expenses like groceries, heating, clothing, gifts, and transportation. It’s a non-taxable, one-time payment and will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of eligible families.

There’s no formal “application,” but submitting updated tax and family information by December 15 is required to be considered.

Eligibility

To receive the refund, families must meet a few key requirements:

Key Criteria:

• File and update your 2024 income tax return
• Submit accurate dependent information
• Confirm marital status and family composition
• Ensure banking details are current with the CRA
• Upload any necessary supporting documents via the CRA portal

The CRA uses this information to verify eligibility and confirm that the $400 payment goes to the right household. If you haven’t updated your file or completed your tax return, you could miss out entirely.

Submission

You’ll need to submit all required data and documents by December 15, 2025 to be included in the December payout cycle.

Step-by-Step Submission:

1. Log in to your CRA My Account
2. Gather files: proof of dependents, residency, and updated income
3. Upload all files at once to avoid repeat submissions
4. Check your CRA portal regularly for status updates
5. Respond quickly if the CRA requests clarification

Submitting everything before the deadline gives the CRA enough time to process your information and release the refund on schedule.

Timeline

Payments will begin to roll out after the December 15 deadline. While processing times may vary, most approved families can expect to receive the refund in late December, just in time for the holidays.

What to Expect:

• Direct deposit recipients will get funds faster than cheque recipients
• Incorrect or missing information may cause processing delays
• CRA may send alerts or notifications if further verification is needed

To avoid delays, double-check your CRA account details and ensure all required data is submitted clearly and on time.

Overview

Here’s a quick reference table for all the key information:

Requirement	Details
Submission Deadline	Must be completed by December 15
Refund Amount	$400 per eligible family
Payment Method	Direct deposit or mailed cheque
Payout Period	Late December 2025
Eligibility Factors	2024 taxes filed, accurate family info

Support

This refund is more than just a seasonal bonus — it’s essential support for families juggling everyday costs and holiday expenses. It can be used for:

• Holiday meals and gifts
• Winter clothing or heating costs
• School supplies or home essentials
• Transportation or medical items

The refund ensures that Canadian families can head into the holiday season with a little more breathing room.

Action

To make sure you don’t miss out:

• Submit all updated information by December 15, 2025
• Use the CRA online portal for speed and accuracy
• Monitor your CRA My Account for any alerts
• Make sure your direct deposit info is current

By staying ahead of the deadline, you’ll avoid last-minute issues and ensure a smooth, stress-free payout just in time for the holidays.

FAQs