GST/HST Credit Payment Dates 2026 — Now the Groceries & Essentials Benefit

The GST/HST credit has a new name for its July and October 2026 payments. The quarterly payment is now issued as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit). The most recent payment went out on October 5, 2026; the next quarterly payment is expected in early January 2027.

GST/HST credit & Groceries Benefit payment dates 2026

Payment date	Benefit
January 5, 2026	GST/HST credit
April 2, 2026	GST/HST credit
July 3, 2026	Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly GST/HST credit)
October 5, 2026	Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly GST/HST credit)
Early January 2027 (expected)	Next quarterly payment — confirm at canada.ca

What changed in 2026

The GST/HST credit’s final payments under the old name went out in January and April 2026. Beginning with the July 3, 2026 payment, the quarterly amount is issued as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Payments remain tax-free, income-tested and based on your latest tax return — you qualify automatically when you file.

Related payment dates

Canada Child Benefit payments in late 2026: October 20, November 20 and December 11. CPP and OAS: see full schedule. Source: CRA benefit payment dates