GST rebate top-up to give couples estimated $326 more this year, on average

The government’s proposed 50% GST credit top-up for this year will give couples an estimated $326 more on average, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO).

The PBO estimates that there will be 12.1 million recipients, with an average one-time additional payment of $252 per recipient over the July 2026–June 2027 benefit period.

The government said a qualifying family of four will receive a total GST credit of up to $1,890 this year, while a single person would get up to $950.

According to the PBO, a couple with no children is estimated to receive a bonus of about $280 and a couple with two children would receive $399, on average. Meanwhile, a single person with no children will get an estimated $225 and a single person with two children would receive $461, on average.

In addition, the proposal included a 25% hike to the GST credit from 2026 to 2031. The government said a qualifying family of four will receive an estimated total GST credit of about $1,400 annually for the next four years, and a single person would get about $700.

For the 25% bonus in fiscal year 2026-27, the PBO estimated that a couple with no children will get an additional $170, and a couple with two children will get $255, on average. Meanwhile, a single person with no children is estimated to receive $117 and a single person with two children will get $268, on average.

In total, the PBO estimated the proposed measure will cost $12.4 billion over the six years.

Jonathan Got

Jonathan Got is a reporter with Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. Reach him at jonathan@newcom.ca.