The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides various financial benefits to Canadians, including families, low-income individuals, and workers. To ensure that you receive these benefits on time, it’s important to be aware of the scheduled payment dates for 2024.
Canada CRA Payments in 2024
The CRA has released the following payment dates for key benefit programs, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST Credit, Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), and more. Keeping track of these dates will help you manage your finances efficiently and avoid any unexpected delays.
Here’s a summary of the payment dates for major CRA benefits in 2024:
| Month | Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | GST/HST Credit | Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) | Canada Carbon Rebate | Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) | Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 18 October | 4 October | 10 October | 15 October | 11 October | — |
| November | 20 November | — | 8 November | — | — | 27 November |
| December | 13 December | — | 10 December | — | — | — |
Let’s take a closer look at each benefit program.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment issued by the CRA to eligible families to help them with the costs of raising children under 18. The amount you receive depends on several factors, including:
- The number of children in the household.
- The age of each child.
- The family’s net income from the previous tax year.
The CCB is intended to provide financial relief for families by helping cover expenses related to child care, education, and other child-related needs. Payment dates for the CCB are typically on the 18th of every month, except in cases where the date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case it will be issued on the next business day.
GST/HST Credit
The GST/HST Credit is a quarterly payment designed to assist low- and moderate-income individuals and families in offsetting the cost of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The credit is automatically calculated based on your family income and provided tax returns.
Payment dates for the GST/HST Credit in 2024 are as follows:
- January 5
- April 5
- July 5
- October 4
This credit helps ease the financial burden of consumption taxes on everyday goods and services, making it easier for low-income households to maintain their standard of living.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a monthly benefit that combines three credits to help Ontario residents manage their housing and energy costs. These credits include:
- The Ontario Sales Tax Credit, which helps low-income residents offset some of the provincial sales tax they have paid.
- The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, which assists with property taxes and energy costs.
- The Northern Ontario Energy Credit, which is aimed at helping residents in Northern Ontario with higher energy costs.
The OTB is usually paid on the 10th of each month, and eligible residents automatically receive it if they qualify based on their tax returns.
Canada Carbon Rebate
The Canada Carbon Rebate (also known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment) is designed to help Canadians offset the costs associated with the federal carbon pricing system. It is provided quarterly and offers relief by returning some of the revenues collected through carbon pricing directly to individuals and families.
The rebate encourages Canadians to reduce their carbon footprint by making eco-friendly choices while helping to mitigate the financial impact of carbon taxes. Payment dates for the rebate typically align with other quarterly benefit payments, such as the GST/HST Credit.
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)
The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) is a monthly payment to support low-income workers. This benefit supplements earned income, encouraging more individuals to participate in the workforce while reducing poverty. The ACWB is especially helpful for those in part-time or minimum-wage jobs, providing them with additional income to cover living expenses.
Eligible recipients can apply for the ACWB during tax filing, and depending on their income level and family situation, they will receive monthly payments throughout the year.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a provincial benefit provided to Alberta low-income families with children under 18. The ACFB is designed to help families with the costs of raising children and is paid out quarterly. Payments are calculated based on family income, with lower-income families receiving higher amounts.
In 2024, the ACFB will be paid out on the following dates:
- February 27
- May 27
- August 27
- November 27
This benefit provides much-needed financial support to families, helping them manage child-related expenses and improve their overall financial well-being.
What Are the Reasons for Delay in CRA Payments?
Although the CRA strives to ensure timely payments, several factors can cause delays. Some of the common reasons for delayed CRA payments include:
- Weekend or Public Holiday: If a payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment will be processed on the next business day, resulting in a delay.
- Changes in Personal Circumstances: Changes such as marital status, family size, or income level can impact your eligibility for benefits and may cause delays if the CRA needs to reassess your situation.
- Tax Return Errors: Mistakes on your tax return, including misreported income or incorrect details, can result in delays as the CRA needs time to resolve these issues.
- Incomplete Information: If your benefit application or tax return lacks necessary details, the CRA may take longer to process your payment.
- Death of a Recipient: If the benefit recipient has passed away, payments will be adjusted, which may lead to a temporary delay.
- Bank Processing Times: Even if the CRA issues the payment on time, some banks may take longer to process the transaction, leading to delays in accessing funds.
- System Errors: Technical problems with the CRA’s system can occasionally cause processing delays.
- Postal Delays: For those receiving payments by cheque, postal delays can impact the timing of your benefit.
How to Check CRA Payments Status?
If you are expecting a payment and want to check its status, you can use the CRA’s online services or by contacting them directly. Here’s how:
- Log In to Your CRA Account: Visit the CRA website and log in to your My Account (for individuals) or My Business Account (for businesses).
- Navigate to Accounts and Payments: For individual accounts, select “Accounts and payments” to view your benefit payments, instalments, and account balance.
- Verify Payment Status: For businesses, go to “View and pay account balance” to check if payments have been received and processed.
- Contact the CRA: If you cannot find the payment or believe there has been an error, contact the CRA by phone for assistance. It is important to allow sufficient processing time before calling, usually three business days for direct deposits and 10 business days for cheque payments.
By following these steps, you can track your CRA payments, ensure everything is up to date, and resolve any issues that may arise.
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