In 2025, many Canadians saw $680 added to their bank accounts. This money came from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is part of the GST/HST credit, not a random bonus.

The GST/HST credit helps low and middle-income people with the cost of goods and services. It’s a tax-free benefit sent every few months.

You don’t have to apply for it. If you file your taxes and qualify, you will get it automatically.

Who Can Get the $680 CRA Payment?

To receive the full $680 in 2025, you need to meet a few simple rules.

Income Rules

Your payment depends on your income in 2023. It also depends on your family size. The benefit period runs from July 2024 to June 2025.

Here is a quick look:

Household Type	Maximum Annual Credit
Single Individual	$519
Married/Common-Law	$680
Each Child Under 19	+$179 per child

If your income is too high, the amount goes down. For example, single people making more than $49,000 may get nothing.

Age and Residency

To qualify, you must be at least 19 years old.
You must also live in Canada for tax reasons.
If you are younger than 19, you can still qualify if you have a child or a spouse.

You Must File Taxes

You need to file your 2023 taxes. Even if you had no income, file your return. The CRA uses your return to decide if you can get the payment.

CRA 2025 Payment Dates

The CRA sends out the GST/HST credit four times a year. If the amount is small, you might get it all at once.

Here are the 2025 payment dates:

Month	Payment Date
January	January 3
June	June 4
July	July 4
October	October 3

You can get your payment through direct deposit or a cheque. Direct deposit is faster and safer.

How to Make Sure You Get the Payment

You don’t need a special form to apply for this credit. Just follow these easy steps:

Step 1: File Your 2023 Taxes

Even if you made no money, file your taxes. Your 2023 return affects your payments from July 2024 to June 2025.

Step 2: Tell CRA About Changes

Let the CRA know if you:

• Got married or separated
• Had or adopted a child
• Moved to a new address
• Changed your bank account

Step 3: Use CRA My Account

The CRA My Account is very helpful. You can:

• Check your payment dates
• See past and current payments
• Update your personal information

Real-Life Example

Let’s look at a simple example.

Samantha and John live in Ontario with one child. Their household income in 2023 was $32,000.

Component	Amount
Couple Credit	$680
Child Credit	$179
Total	$859

They receive $214.75 every quarter. This money helps with groceries, bills, and school costs.

Why the $680 May Surprise You

Some Canadians didn’t expect the $680 payment. Here are some reasons why:

• They filed taxes late and got a backdated payment
• Their income or family status changed
• They just turned 19 and became eligible
• The CRA reviewed past years and gave retroactive credit

You can always check your CRA My Account to find the details.

How to Get the Most from CRA Payments

Here are some simple tips to make the most of this benefit:

• Sign up for direct deposit to get your money faster
• Check your CRA account often for updates
• Use the money for food, rent, or bills
• Look into other credits like the Canada Child Benefit or Climate Action Incentive

You don’t need to be a parent to qualify. Students, seniors, and low-income people can also receive this credit.

FAQs