In the past few years, more and more federal and provincial benefits are based on Canadians filing their personal income taxes each year and filing them on time.
Some benefits or refundable credits are available for a limited time. So, if you have not filed 2024 or earlier tax years, you may miss out! You snooze;you lose!
NEW! Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
The most recent announcement by the federal government (January 26, 2026) was the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. If the announcement receives Royal Assent, this is what it could look like:
There will be a one-time top-up payment to be paid as early as possible this spring and no later than June 2026 (subject to Royal Assent)—equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit. Since it is based on the GST credit, if you have not already filed your 2024 taxes, you need to get it done soon. CRA is closed Jan 31 and reopens February 23. So, get ready to file 2024 or earlier tax years as soon as CRA reopens!
Secondly, the federal government will be increasing the value of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (previously known as the GST credit?) by 25% for five years starting in July 2026 (subject to Royal Assent). You need to file your 2025 taxes by mid May to get this increased credit July 2026.
File On Time!
Here is a brief overview of all the benefits and refundable credits both federal and provincial that require you to file your taxes each year and on time (April 30 for most taxpayers).
GST credit
The Goods and Services Tax Credit has been around since 1991. It is based on net family income. Generally, income less than about $56,000 for single taxpayers up to $76,000 for parent(s) with children. The credit is recalculated every July based on the previous year’s net income as reported on your tax return. You should file by mid May each year to receive the GST credit in July. If you do not file on time, the GST Credit can get back paid, however with delays. Reapplying for the credit is not required. You just need to file your income taxes!
Canada Child Benefit
This credit has been around since the mid 1940. Earlier names were Family Allowance, Child Tax Benefit, and Canada Child Tax Benefit. Since 2016 it has been based on family income and required yearly tax filing to receive it. Like the GST credit, you do not need to reapply; just file your taxes on time!Both parents must file on time.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
This is a new plan. Since July 2025 it is now available to all taxpayers, regardless of age, but based on income. You need to file your taxes by about mid May to receive your Notice of Assessment issued by Canada Revenue Agency. You need to re-apply each year by June 1. Any delays in filing your income taxes may leave gaps in your coverage. So, if you only file in June, you will not have coverage in July; it may begin again in August or September. This plan is based on family income, meaning both spouses need to file their taxes on time, and both need to reapply.
Canada Disability Benefit
This is the newest benefit. It started July 2025 for taxpayers that are 18-64 years old who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit with low or modest income. You do not need to reapply, but you do need to file your tax return by mid May to continue the payments starting July. If you are late with your tax return, you do not lose the benefits as they will be back paid. You do not need to reapply, just file your taxes on time! This is another benefit that is based on family income, so you (and your spouse) need to file on time.
Canada Workers Benefit
This refundable credit is for low-income individuals and families already working. It is claimed by filing a tax return, with 50% paid in advance installments (ACWB) in July, October, and January. No separate application is needed. Just file your tax return!
Canada Carbon Rebate / Climate Action Incentive
This rebate was tied to the Carbon Tax and has been eliminated. The last payment was April 2025. If you have not filed your 2024 or earlier taxes, you need to file within the next six months. Any tax returns for 2024 or earlier that are filed after October 31, 2026, will NOT receive any past CCR. You snooze; you lose! Both you (and your spouse) need to file to get this rebate.
Manitoba Personal Care Home Fees
In Manitoba, those who live in personal care homes need to file their taxes (and their spouse) on time to have the fees based on the prior year’s income. The fees are recalculated each August. To avoid any incorrect fees, your taxes need to be filed on time.
Manitoba Pharmacare Deductible
Manitoba Health has a plan to help those with high prescription costs. Your deductible is based on your family’s net income from two years prior. The current pharmacare year is April 2025 to March 2026 and is based on your 2023 income (they did not have access to your 2024 tax return last April 2025, so they use information from the prior year). If you have not filedyour 2023 taxes, you do not have coverage. It is important to file each year so Manitoba Health can recalculate your deductible. And if your income has decreased more than 10% from 2023 to 2025, you can request the deductible be reduced. For the current year, your deadline to file for this reduction is March 31, 2026. If your income has decreased by more than 10% from 2024 to 2026, you can apply for the reduced deductible after April 1, 2026.
Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program
This program has been in place since June 2023. Eligibility is for 65+ and family net income under 80,000. To apply you need to provide the most recent Proof of Income Statement (can get from CRA). Another reason to file your taxes as early as possible if you plan to apply for this program soon.
EI and CPP overpayment
If you have multiple employers during the year, you may have overpaid your CPP or EI contributions. But there is a limited time to get the overpayment back. For CPP you have four years to file your tax return and still get back the CPP you over paid. For EI overpayments you have only three years. So,file every year on time to ensure you receive all overpayments you may have made. Do not snooze! Or you lose!
Manitoba Rental Credits and Property Tax Credits
For those taxpayers who claim rent on their personal income taxes, you only have three years to make these claims. If you have not filed for the past few years and need to claim the rent credit you need to file now! If you did not file 2022 and you otherwise would have been eligible for the $700 rental credit, you are out of luck! Like those homeowners that did not have the education credit deducted on their property tax bills, you can only claim it on your personal taxes, but only if you file within three years. Don’t delay any more!
Farmland School Tax Rebate
Those of us that own some acreage, check your property tax bill to determine if any of the acres are considered farmland. Even if you do not farm (we do not), you can apply for the Manitoba Farmland School Tax Rebate. You need to apply each year. For the 2025 property taxes, you need to apply by March 31, 2026.
Pension Income Splitting
This is not a benefit or a credit but can have a lot of tax savings. If you have qualified pension income and you want to split up to 50% with your spouse, you need to file your taxes each year. If you did not file 2022 or earlier, you are not able to claim this split any more. You can only revise the past three years to change the Pension Income Splitting amounts.
File every year and file on time
I think by now you get the idea: there are so many credits and benefits that are based on our net income we report on our personal income taxes each and every year. So, file every year and file on time (April 30 for most of you) so you do not delay or even lose out on some valuable benefits and credits!
Anni Markmann is a Personal Income Tax Professional, living, working, and volunteering in our community. Contact Ste Anne Tax Service at 204.422.6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near Co-op) or info@sataxes.ca