CRA to Issue $1,350 One-Time Payment to Eligible Canadians for January 2026

Claims about a CRA $1,350 one-time payment have been circulating widely for 2026. Here’s the key reality: there is no single, universally confirmed CRA program that pays every eligible Canadian exactly $1,350 as a standalone “one-time payment.”

What is real in 2026 is that Canadians may receive CRA-administered benefit deposits (like the GST/HST credit and other credits), and there has also been a reported federal plan involving GST credit changes and a one-time payment tied to the GST rebate amount—which would vary by household rather than being a fixed $1,350. 

So if you’re trying to plan your money for 2026, the smartest approach is this: focus on confirmed CRA benefit schedules, eligibility rules, and your CRA account status, instead of relying on a viral number that may not apply to you (or may be misinformation).

The $1,350 CRA One-Time Payment Claim: Real Or Not?

A fixed “$1,350 one-time CRA payment” would require an official federal announcement with clear eligibility rules, rollout dates, and delivery instructions. At the moment, what’s clearly documented on official Government of Canada benefit pages is that there is ongoing disinformation online about new payments, and people should rely on official benefit program pages and CRA account notices. 

What has been reported in January 2026 is a plan to increase the GST credit over time and issue a one-time payment equal to 50% of the GST rebate—that is not the same thing as a universal $1,350 for everyone. Your amount would depend on your household situation and your GST credit entitlement. 

Bottom line: Treat “$1,350” as a possible misinterpretation or clickbait framing unless you see it inside your CRA My Account or a clear official program notice.

What CRA Payments Are Actually Relevant In 2026?

In 2026, the CRA continues to deliver major benefits and credits on scheduled dates. These are the deposits most Canadians should watch for, because they are structured programs with established rules and payment calendars.

GST/HST Credit Payments In 2026

The GST/HST credit is paid quarterly in 2026 on these dates: January 5, April 2, July 3, and October 5, 2026. 

This matters because many “one-time payment” posts online are actually referencing a period when Canadians see a cluster of benefit deposits—especially in January.

CRA Benefit Payment Dates (High-Level 2026 Calendar)

The CRA’s benefit payment calendar shows recurring monthly dates for certain programs (like CCB) and quarterly dates for GST/HST credit. 

If you’re expecting money in 2026, the dates are only half the story. The other half is whether you are eligible, filed taxes, and have direct deposit set up.

Eligibility: Who Could Receive Extra CRA Money In 2026?

Because the “$1,350” figure is not a universally confirmed standalone program, the practical way to answer eligibility is to explain how Canadians qualify for CRA-administered benefits and any potential GST-linked one-time top-up.

1) You Must File Your Taxes (Even If You Had Little Or No Income)

Most CRA benefits are calculated based on your tax return and family situation. If you don’t file, the CRA often can’t calculate what you’re owed for credits.

Also note: for personal income taxes, April 30, 2026 is listed as the deadline to pay your individual taxes. 

2) Your Benefit Amount Depends On Household Information

CRA benefits can change based on:

• Adjusted family net income
• Marital status
• Number and ages of children
• Province/territory of residence
• Whether you receive benefits monthly or quarterly (program-specific)

For example, the CRA’s GST/HST credit page explains that payment amounts and periods are based on tax return information and that credits can be paid quarterly (or as a lump sum in some cases when the calculated quarterly amount is small). 

3) A GST-Linked One-Time Payment Would Not Be “One Size Fits All”

A reported one-time payment tied to the GST rebate (for example, a payment equal to 50% of the GST rebate) would vary by household and income. It would not automatically equal $1,350 for everyone. 

How To Check If You Will Receive Any One-Time CRA Deposit In 2026

If you want the most accurate answer for your situation, use a simple verification checklist:

Step 1: Check CRA My Account For Benefit And Credit Details

Look for:

• Benefits and credits section
• Upcoming payment entries
• Notice mail (digital notices)
• Direct deposit confirmation

Step 2: Confirm Direct Deposit Is Enabled

Direct deposit reduces delays and helps you avoid missing a cheque in the mail.

Step 3: Confirm Your Address, Marital Status, And Child Information

Many benefit recalculations happen after life changes. Outdated details can cause:

• underpayments
• overpayments (later clawbacks)
• payment delays

Step 4: Be Scam-Aware

Government benefit pages explicitly warn that there is false information online about new relief payments and direct deposits. If a post claims you must “apply through a link,” “pay a fee,” or “confirm banking urgently,” treat it as suspicious. 

2026 CRA Payments And Dates Table

Below is a practical 2026 table you can use as a planning reference. (Amounts vary by household and eligibility; dates are the most reliable planning anchor.)

Program / Payment Type	How It’s Typically Paid	Key 2026 Dates To Know	What Mainly Drives Eligibility
GST/HST Credit	Quarterly deposit or cheque	Jan 5, Apr 2, Jul 3, Oct 5 (2026)	Income (tax return), marital status, residency, family situation
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)	Monthly	Jan 20, Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 20, May 20, Jun 19, Jul 20, Aug 20, Sep 18, Oct 20, Nov 20, Dec 11 (2026)	Child eligibility, income, residency, up-to-date family info
Possible GST-Linked One-Time Payment	One-time deposit/cheque if implemented	Timing depends on official rollout; reported as one-time payment equal to 50% of GST rebate	Based on GST credit entitlement (varies by household)

Why People Are Seeing “$1,350” Everywhere

There are a few common reasons this number spreads:

• People confuse total annual benefits with a single payment
• They add multiple deposits together (GST + provincial credits + other payments) and label it “one-time”
• Viral posts often use a single large number to boost clicks, even when real programs are variable

In 2026, you can absolutely receive meaningful CRA deposits—but the accurate figure is personal to your household and tax profile, not a universal $1,350 for everyone.

What To Do If You Expected $1,350 But Didn’t Get Anything

If you expected a deposit and nothing arrived:

1. Re-check your CRA My Account payment history and upcoming payments.
2. Confirm your 2024 and/or 2025 return was filed (benefit periods depend on tax year information). 
3. Confirm your direct deposit details.
4. Watch for CRA messages indicating a review, recalculation, or missing info.
5. Ignore third-party “application links” that request personal or banking data.

Conclusion

For 2026, the safest and most accurate way to think about the “CRA $1,350 one-time payment” is this: a fixed, universally confirmed $1,350 CRA payment is not clearly established as an official standalone program, and Canadians should instead track confirmed CRA benefit deposits (like the GST/HST credit schedule) and verify their personal entitlement through CRA My Account. If a one-time payment is tied to the GST rebate amount, it would likely be variable by household, not a guaranteed $1,350 for all. 

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