| Verdict: Partly true |
|---|
| The GST/HST credit was not doubled in 2026, but it did go up: it became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with about 25% more, and there was a one-time top-up of about 50% in June 2026. |
What the claim says
Posts say “the GST cheque is doubled” or “the CRA is doubling your GST credit.” Some say it’s happening every quarter from now on. Others ask you to apply or confirm your details to get the “double payment.”
What’s actually true
Three real things happened, and none of them is a permanent doubling.
1. The new name and a 25% raise. In July 2026, the GST/HST credit was renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). The CRA says quarterly payments go up by 25% for the next five years. The rules on who qualifies stayed the same.
| Base amount per year | July 2025 to June 2026 | July 2026 to June 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Each adult | $349 | $445 |
| Each child under 19 | $184 | $234 |
A single person can now get up to $679 a year, and a couple up to $890, plus $234 per child. Payments come around the 5th of January, April, July and October.
2. A one-time top-up on June 5, 2026. This was worth about 50% of a year’s GST/HST credit, or roughly twice the January 2026 payment. A single person with no children could get up to $267, and a couple with two children up to $533. It was automatic and has already been paid.
3. A real doubling, in 2022. The GST credit was doubled for six months through a one-time extra payment on November 4, 2022. That was a one-off.
Where the confusion comes from
The June 2026 top-up was described as “twice your January payment.” That line is true for one payment, but posts turned it into “the GST cheque is doubled” for good. The 2022 doubling adds to the mix, because old articles about it are still online.
The CRA gave these examples for 2026, including the top-up:
- A single person could get up to $950 in total in 2026.
- A single person with $25,000 net income would get a $267 top-up plus a longer-term increase, for a total of $402 more.
- A family of four with $40,000 net income would get $805 more: $533 from the top-up and $272 from the increase.
Didn’t get the top-up?
The CRA lists these reasons: you didn’t file a 2024 tax return, you weren’t entitled to the credit in January 2026, your spouse or partner got it for the family, or it was used to pay money you owed the CRA. If you haven’t filed, file now, even with no income. The CRA sends back payments if you’re owed them.
Scam warning
The CRA warns about texts and emails that offer a GST/HST refund or credit and ask you to click a link or fill in a form by a deadline. You never apply for the CGEB. You just file your taxes.
What to do if you were targeted
- Didn’t click? Delete it.
- Gave banking details? Call your bank.
- Gave your SIN or CRA sign-in? Call the CRA at 1-833-995-2336 (Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to 7 pm Eastern time).
- For real questions about your CGEB, call the CRA at 1-800-387-1193.
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca.