The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) plays a crucial role in providing financial benefits to individuals and families across Canada. These benefits help ease financial burdens, especially for families, low-income earners, and other designated groups. Knowing the payment schedules for these benefits ensures that individuals can plan their finances accordingly and avoid delays.
This article provides an overview of the CRA benefit payment dates for 2024, including several key benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST Credit, Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), and others. Staying informed about these dates can help you budget effectively and ensure you receive your payments on time.
CRA Benefits Payment Schedule for 2024
The CRA has published the official payment dates for 2024. It is recommended to verify the schedule on the official CRA website or consult your local CRA office for any updates. Below are the payment dates for several benefits:
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 20 November | – | 8 November | – | – | 27 November |
| December | 13 December | – | 10 December | – | – | – |
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly, tax-free payment provided to eligible families with children under 18. It helps with the costs of raising children and is determined based on the number of children, their ages, and the family’s income.
GST/HST Credit
The Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit is a quarterly payment aimed at helping low-income individuals and families offset the GST or HST they pay on goods and services. This benefit serves to reduce the financial burden of consumption taxes.
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a combination of three credits rolled into one monthly payment. It includes the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit. The OTB is designed to support individuals and families with their energy and property costs in Ontario.
Canada Carbon Rebate
The Canada Carbon Rebate is provided to help Canadians offset the cost of carbon pricing. This quarterly payment encourages individuals to lower their carbon footprint while alleviating the financial impact of carbon taxes.
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)
The ACWB is a monthly payment for low-income workers, designed to supplement earnings and support individuals and families in the workforce. This benefit is aimed at reducing poverty while encouraging employment.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a quarterly payment aimed at helping families with children under 18 in Alberta. This benefit assists with the cost of raising children and is based on the family’s income and other factors.
Reasons for Delay in CRA Payments
There are several factors that could result in a delay in your CRA benefits. Some common reasons for delays include:
- Weekend or Public Holiday: If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment will typically be processed on the next business day, causing a slight delay.
- Personal Circumstances: Changes in your circumstances, such as a change in family status or income, may affect eligibility for benefits and result in delays.
- Tax Return Errors: Mistakes in your tax return or reassessments can cause delays in your benefits.
- Incomplete Applications: Providing incorrect or incomplete information on your benefit application can delay processing.
- Recipient Changes: If the recipient has passed away, the CRA may need to adjust benefit payments, which can lead to delays.
- Bank Processing Times: Even if the CRA processes a payment on time, delays may occur due to the bank’s processing times.
- Postal Delays: For payments made by cheque, postal delays may affect when you receive your payment.
- CRA System Issues: Occasionally, system errors or technical issues may delay processing and payments.
How to Check the Status of CRA Payments
To check the status of your CRA payments, you can log in to your CRA account online. However, ensure that sufficient time has passed for processing: allow 3 business days for online payments and up to 10 business days for payments made by cheque or money order.
Here’s how to check your payment status:
- Go to the CRA website and sign in to your account. Individuals should sign in to My Account, while businesses should sign in to My Business Account.
- For individuals, select “Accounts and payments” to view your account balance, available payments, and instalment payments.
- For businesses, select “View and pay the account balance.”
- Check the listed payments to confirm whether your payment has been processed and applied correctly. If a payment hasn’t been applied to a specific tax year, it will be listed in the “Available payment(s)” section.
- If you can’t access your account or if there’s an issue with your payment, you can contact the CRA by phone for further assistance.
By staying informed about these payment dates and checking the status of your payments when necessary, you can effectively manage your finances and ensure that you receive your benefits on time.
