As promised in its last budget, Ottawa will help those less fortunate to pay their grocery bill by paying them a lump sum. Direct deposit is scheduled for this Wednesday. Eligible individuals will receive between $234 and $628, depending on their family situation.
In reality, it is an enhanced GST credit payment that has been given another name. The amount paid will be double the amount received last January.
Of course, those who receive the grocery rebate will be able to use the money as they see fit. No one will monitor how it was spent.
Note that it is possible to be eligible for the grocery rebate, but not for the July GST/HST credit payment, and vice versa. Because “the grocery rebate is calculated based on your 2021 tax return, but the next quarterly GST/HST credit payment for July 2023 is calculated based on your 2022 tax return,” the Agency explains. Revenue Canada (CRA).
Taxpayers who are not registered for direct deposit will receive a check. Ottawa could also use the money to reduce a lingering tax debt.
The CRA is asking people who have not received their grocery reimbursement by the due date to wait ten business days before contacting the CRA.
For the 2018 tax year, just under 11 million people claimed the GSTQST credit in the country. In 2023, a family with two children must have income of a maximum of $62,175 to be eligible, according to the Research Chair in Taxation and Public Finance at the University of Sherbrooke.
Over the past year, the price of a grocery basket has jumped 9%, which compares to 3.4% for all goods and services in the country.