The GST/HST Credit is one of Canada’s most important federal affordability supports, providing essential relief to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. But as December 2026 approaches—a month filled with holiday expenses, winter heating bills, and travel costs—many Canadians are asking a key question:

“Will the GST/HST Credit be paid early in December 2026?”

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has now clarified the GST/HST December 2026 payment window, deposit timing, and early-release considerations. This detailed guide breaks down everything you need to know about:

• The confirmed GST/HST December 2026 payment window

• Whether an early deposit is possible

• Eligibility requirements

• How much you can expect to receive

• Direct deposit rules

• What changes in 2027

Let’s get into the full breakdown of the GST/HST December 2026 Early Deposit Update.

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⭐ Does the GST/HST Credit Pay in December 2026?

❌ No — December is NOT a scheduled GST/HST payment month.

The GST/HST Credit is issued quarterly, with payments in:

• January

• April

• July

• October

This means:

📌 There is no regular GST/HST credit payment in December 2026.

However, December remains important because:

• Banks may handle year-end deposits differently

• Some Canadians may experience early January payments

• CRA sometimes reissues late or held payments in December

• Many confuse GST/HST timing with other December CRA benefits like CCB, OAS, CPP, and provincial supplements

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⭐ So Why Are People Talking About a December 2026 Early Deposit?

Because the next scheduled GST/HST payment falls very close to New Year’s Day:

✔ Next GST/HST Payment: January 2027

And January 1st is a federal holiday.

For this reason, many Canadians may receive their payment early—sometimes at the end of December—depending on their bank’s processing system.

While CRA will NOT release the payment early, the banks may post it ahead of schedule.

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⭐ CRA Confirms GST/HST December 2026 Payment Window

The CRA announcement clarifies the following:

✔ The next GST/HST Credit payment will be issued in early January 2027.

✔ Because of the holiday closure, some banks may deposit funds early.

This creates a payment window when early deposits may appear:

📅 Early Deposit Window: December 29–31, 2026

(varies by bank)

📅 Official CRA Release Date: First week of January 2027

This means:

⭐ Some Canadians WILL see their GST/HST payment before New Year’s Day.

⭐ Others will receive it on the official January date.

CRA’s policy remains strict:
They do NOT release GST/HST payments ahead of schedule—any early deposit is solely due to bank posting practices.

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⭐ Why Do Banks Release GST/HST Early?

Banks often release federal benefits early when:

• There is a statutory holiday

• CRA deposits are sent in the Quebec or Ottawa batch

• Year-end processing occurs early

• Banks run automatic deposit posting cycles

Banks known to commonly release early include:

• TD

• Scotiabank

• RBC

• CIBC

• BMO

• Desjardins

Credit unions may release a day later due to manual processing.

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⭐ How Much Will You Receive in the Next GST/HST Credit?

Amounts depend on your 2025 tax return, which determines payments from July 2026 to July 2027.

2026–2027 GST/HST Annual Amounts (Estimated)

Singles:

Up to $540

Couples:

Up to $710

Per Child:

Up to $180 per dependent

Quarterly Payment Example

A family of 4 may receive:

👉 $710 (parents)

• $360 (two children)
  = $1,070 annually
  = $267.50 per quarterly payment

Your exact amount depends on your adjusted family net income.

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⭐ Who Qualifies for GST/HST?

You qualify for the GST/HST Credit if:

• You file your tax return

• You are at least 19 years old, OR have a spouse/child

• You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes

• Your income is within GST/HST limits

Income thresholds vary, but most Canadians with low or modest income levels qualify.

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⭐ Will Late or Reissued GST/HST Credits Arrive in December 2026?

Yes, CRA may issue back payments in December for individuals who:

• Filed taxes late

• Recently updated marital status

• Submitted dependent information

• Cleared identity verification

• Updated banking information

These payments can arrive anytime, including mid-December.

These are NOT early GST/HST payments—just late or corrected deposits.

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⭐ Common Confusion With Other December CRA Payments

Many Canadians confuse GST/HST with other December benefit deposits.

Here are the major CRA and Service Canada payments that DO arrive in December 2026:

Because several benefits cluster in late December, many people mistakenly assume GST/HST is included.

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⭐ How to Know if Your GST/HST Payment Will Come Early

Check your payment status using:

✔ CRA My Account

Look under:
Benefits & Credits → GST/HST Credit

✔ Bank Mobile App

Deposits often show 1–2 days before they settle.

✔ CRA Direct Deposit History

Shows both issued and upcoming payments.

✔ CRA’s Automated Benefit Line

1-800-387-1193 (varies by region)

If the payment says “Pending”, it may arrive early.

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⭐ How to Avoid Delays in January 2027 Payment

To ensure you receive your early-January payment on time:

✔ Update your direct deposit information

Banks changed in December? Update immediately.

✔ File taxes early

No return = no GST/HST.

✔ Report marital status changes

Otherwise, CRA may pause payments.

✔ Ensure dependents are correctly listed

Incorrect child information leads to recalculations.

✔ Avoid changing bank accounts in mid-December

Direct deposits may bounce.

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⭐ Will There Ever Be a Permanent December GST/HST Cycle?

At the moment:

❌ No official plans exist to add December as a GST/HST payment month.

Quarterly payments are likely to continue on the same four-month cycle.

However:

• Provinces may offer separate year-end affordability credits.

• CRA may reissue held-over payments in December.

• Banking practices may create the illusion of a December federal deposit.

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⭐ Final Summary — GST/HST December 2026 Payment Window

Here is everything Canadians need to know:

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❌ No official CRA GST/HST payment is issued in December 2026.

✔ Next payment occurs in early January 2027.

✔ Some Canadians WILL receive the January payment early, between:

📅 December 29–31, 2026

✔ Bank processing — NOT government policy — determines early release.

✔ Late/held back GST/HST credits may still be released in December.

✔ Ensure direct deposit and tax filings are up to date for timely payment.

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Meta Title

GST/HST December 2026 Early Deposit: CRA Confirms Payment Window

Meta Description

The CRA confirms the December 2026 GST/HST early deposit window. Learn when January’s payment may arrive early, who qualifies, and how bank posting affects deposit timing.

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FAQs — GST/HST December 2026 Early Deposit

1. Will GST/HST be paid in December 2026?

No. There is no scheduled GST/HST payment in December.

2. Can the January 2027 payment arrive early?

Yes. Many Canadians may receive it early due to bank posting systems.

3. What is the December early deposit window?

Between December 29–31, 2026, depending on your bank.

4. Does CRA release the payment early?

No. CRA releases it in January. Early deposits are bank-processed.

5. Who qualifies for GST/HST?

Low- and moderate-income Canadians who file their taxes and meet age/residency rules.