CRA Issues Harmonized GST/HST Payments

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

07 January 2008

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issued the January goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments last week.

Individuals who have their GST/HST credit payments deposited directly into their accounts at their financial institutions could expect to receive their payments as of Friday, the CRA explained.

Individuals who receive their GST/HST credit cheques by mail could expect to receive them within the next 10 working days, it added. If recipients have not received their cheques by January 18, they should contact the GST/HST credit enquiries service.

GST/HST credit recipients were also reminded to inform the CRA of any changes in their family situation as soon as possible.

The changes which could affect the amount of GST/HST credit received include: changes to the number of children in the taxpayer's care; change in marital status; move from one province to another, which will affect the provincial benefits a person may or may not be entitled to as part of the GST/HST credit payment; change in residency status; and/or death of the recipient.

The CRA is issuing GST/HST credit payments in excess of $809 million to more than 8.4 million individuals across Canada this quarter.

The Saskatchewan Sales Tax Credit payment is also included with the January 2008 GST/HST credit payments.

To receive the January GST/HST credit payments, people must have filed their 2006 Income Tax and Benefit Return and completed the GST/HST credit application area on the first page of the return.

Individuals who move must inform the CRA immediately to ensure that payments of their GST/HST credit are not disrupted, even if they use direct deposit and their bank account does not change.

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