GST/HST Credit & Canada Child Benefit: A Newcomer's Guide

Two of the most valuable things waiting for newcomers in Canada are not jobs or housing — they are quiet, recurring payments from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit (CCB). Both are designed to put money back in your pocket, and the best part is that you do not always have to wait until you file your first Canadian tax return to start receiving them. This guide explains what these benefits are, how newcomers qualify, the exact forms you use to apply, and why filing your taxes every year keeps the money flowing.

What the GST/HST credit and Canada child benefit are

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment paid four times a year (quarterly) to individuals and families with low and modest incomes. It helps offset some of the goods and services tax or harmonized sales tax you pay on everyday purchases. The Canada child benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. Both are administered by the CRA, and the amount you receive is based on your family's income. Because the amounts and income thresholds are updated regularly, always confirm current figures on the official CRA pages linked in the sources below rather than relying on numbers you read elsewhere.

Can newcomers really get these benefits?

Yes. The CRA confirms that as a resident of Canada you and your family can start getting benefit and credit payments like the GST/HST credit even before you do your taxes for the first time. Your eligibility is tied to your residency for income tax purposes — which is separate from your immigration status — and to your family income, not to how long you have been in the country. This is one of the most overlooked opportunities for new arrivals, so it is worth acting on soon after you settle.

Eligibility basics

For the GST/HST credit, you generally need to be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes and be at least 19 years old. If you are under 19, you can still qualify if you have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner, or if you are a parent who lives (or lived) with your child.

For the Canada child benefit, the CRA sets out clear conditions. To be eligible you must:

• Live with a child who is under 18 years of age.
• Be the person primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of that child.
• Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• Meet the immigration-status requirements the CRA lists for you or your spouse or common-law partner.

If both parents live in the same home as the child, the CRA presumes the female parent is primarily responsible and should normally be the one to apply.

How to apply: the right forms matter

This is where newcomers differ from people who have lived in Canada for years. Instead of waiting to file a return, you apply directly using a specific form for the year you became a resident.

If you do not have children: Form RC151

Use Form RC151 (GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada) to apply for the GST/HST credit for the year you became a resident. The CRA offers an online web form version that lets newcomers without children apply without mailing anything. You only apply once — after that, the CRA determines your eligibility automatically each year when you file your taxes.

If you have children: Form RC66 and RC66SCH

If you have children, use Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application). This single application registers your children for the CCB and also for the GST/HST credit and related federal, provincial, and territorial programs, so you do not need a separate RC151. As a newcomer, you must also complete and attach Schedule RC66SCH (Status in Canada and Income Information), which captures your residency status and the income information the CRA needs. Mail the completed forms to your tax centre, along with proof of birth for any child if the CRA requests it.

Why filing your taxes matters every year

Applying once gets you started, but it does not keep the payments coming forever. The CRA recalculates your GST/HST credit and Canada child benefit each year using the income reported on your tax return. If you stop filing, your payments can stop too. That is true even if you had little or no income — filing a return is how you prove your income and stay eligible. Make a habit of filing your taxes on time every year, and ask your spouse or common-law partner to file as well, because benefits are calculated on your combined family income.

Get paid faster with direct deposit

Once you are approved, you want your money to arrive quickly and securely. Signing up for direct deposit means the CRA deposits your GST/HST credit and CCB straight into your Canadian bank account instead of mailing a cheque. The fastest way to enrol is online — either through your CRA account or directly through most Canadian banks and credit unions. If you have not already, set up direct deposit by opening an account early so your benefits are never delayed waiting for a paper cheque in the mail.

Your benefits checklist

• Confirm you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• No children: apply for the GST/HST credit with Form RC151.
• With children: apply with Form RC66 and attach Schedule RC66SCH.
• Open a Canadian bank account and enrol in direct deposit.
• File a tax return every year — even with no income — to keep your payments.
• Check the official CRA pages for current amounts and rules.