The $1,350 payment is not a universal benefit — it targets specific tax situations

The Canada Revenue Agency does not send a flat $1,350 payment to all taxpayers. The amount appears in CRA communications as a reference point for certain tax credits and refunds, but which payment you receive — and whether you receive one at all — depends entirely on your tax filing status, income, and which credits you are may have access to to claim.

The most common source of a $1,350 payment from CRA is the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a refundable tax credit for low to modest-income workers. However, the actual amount varies by your net income, family status, and whether you have dependents. A single person with no children might receive $1,350, while a couple or a parent with children could receive more or less depending on their combined income and other factors.

Other payments in this range can come from the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), or a combination of credits applied to your tax return. The $1,350 figure is often cited because it represents a common payment amount for a specific household type in a specific income bracket, not because it is the standard payment everyone receives.

Key Takeaways

  • A $1,350 CRA payment typically comes from the Canada Workers Benefit, GST/HST Credit, or Canada Child Benefit, depending on your income and family situation.
  • The amount you receive varies based on your net income, number of dependents, and province of residence — there is no single $1,350 payment for all taxpayers.
  • You do not need to do anything special to receive these payments if you file your tax return; CRA calculates your entitlement automatically.
  • Payments are issued quarterly or annually depending on the credit, and CRA deposits them directly to your bank account on file.
  • If you have not filed a tax return for the year in question, you will not receive any payment, even if you are may have access to to one.

How the Canada Workers Benefit generates a $1,350 payment

The Canada Workers Benefit is a refundable tax credit designed to supplement income for people who work but earn below a certain threshold. For the 2023 tax year, the maximum benefit was approximately $1,395 for a single person with no dependents, which rounds to the $1,350 figure commonly referenced. The actual amount you receive depends on your net income and filing status.

To receive the CWB, you must have earned employment income during the tax year, be at least 19 years old, and have a net income below the phase-out threshold (which varies by year and family status). If you are married or in a common-law partnership, your combined family net income determines your entitlement. The benefit phases out as your income rises, meaning higher earners receive less or nothing.

CRA calculates your CWB entitlement when you file your tax return. If you are may have access to, the payment is issued in two installments: one in July and one in December. You do not need to explore separately or provide additional documents beyond your completed tax return.

GST/HST Credit and other credits that may total $1,350

The GST/HST Credit is a quarterly payment issued to low and modest-income individuals and families to offset the cost of consumption taxes. The amount depends on your net income, age, and family status. A single adult with no dependents might receive $150 to $200 per quarter, while a family with children could receive significantly more. Over a full year, these quarterly payments can total $1,350 or more.

The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly payment to parents or guardians of children under 18. The base amount is approximately $6,997 per child per year (as of 2023), but this is reduced for higher-income families. A parent with one child in a lower-income household might receive around $580 per month, which totals roughly $6,960 annually — far more than $1,350, but the $1,350 reference may appear when discussing partial-year payments or specific income scenarios.

When multiple credits are combined on a single tax return, the total refund or payment can land at $1,350. For example, a worker with modest income might receive a partial CWB, a GST/HST Credit, and a small amount from another credit, totaling $1,350 when processed together.

Income thresholds and family status that determine your payment amount

Your net income is the primary factor that determines whether you receive a $1,350 payment and from which credit. For the Canada Workers Benefit, the income threshold varies by family status. A single person begins to lose the benefit at approximately $15,705 of net income and receives nothing above roughly $23,000. A couple with one child has a higher threshold and phases out more gradually.

Your province of residence also affects the amount. Some provinces have supplementary workers' benefits that stack on top of the federal CWB, increasing the total payment. British Columbia, Ontario, and other provinces have their own programs that may add $200 to $500 to your federal benefit.

If you are married or in a common-law partnership, CRA combines your net incomes to determine entitlement. This means that if one spouse earns significantly more, it can reduce or eliminate the benefit for the household, even if the other spouse earns very little. Conversely, a couple with two modest incomes might receive a larger benefit than a single person with the same combined income.

How to check whether you are may have access to to a $1,350 payment

The most direct way to see what payments you are may have access to to is to log into My Account on the CRA website using your Social Insurance Number and password. Once logged in, you can view your Notice of Assessment, which shows all tax credits and refunds calculated for that tax year. The Notice of Assessment lists each credit separately, so you can see exactly which payment generated the $1,350 (or other amount).

You can also call CRA at 1-800-959-5525 to speak with an agent who can review your file and explain which credits you are may have access to to claim. Have your Social Insurance Number and tax year ready. Wait times are typically shorter in the fall and winter months.

If you have not yet filed a tax return for the year in question, you will not see any payment information. You must file your return — either on paper or through CRA's NETFILE system — before CRA can calculate your entitlement and issue payment. If you are unsure whether you need to file, CRA's website has a tool to help you determine this based on your income and circumstances.

When the payment is issued and how it reaches your account

Timing depends on which credit generates your payment. The Canada Workers Benefit is issued in two lump sums: one in July and one in December, based on your previous tax year's return. The GST/HST Credit is issued quarterly in January, April, July, and October. The Canada Child Benefit is issued monthly on the 20th of each month (or the next business day if the 20th falls on a weekend).

CRA deposits all payments directly to the bank account you provided on your tax return. If you have not provided banking information, CRA will mail a cheque to your address on file. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable; if you have not set up direct deposit, you can do so through My Account or by calling CRA.

Processing times vary. If you file your return early in the tax season (February or March), your payment may be issued within 4 to 6 weeks. If you file later, it may take longer, especially if CRA needs to verify information or if there are errors on your return. Once CRA has processed your return and calculated your entitlement, the payment date is fixed and you can see it in My Account.

What happens if your income changes or you receive an overpayment

If your income changes during the year — for example, you lose a job or start a new one — your entitlement to credits like the CWB may change. CRA does not adjust payments mid-year based on current income; instead, it calculates your entitlement based on your net income for the entire tax year, which you report when you file your return the following spring.

If you received a payment you were not may have access to to — for example, because your income was higher than you expected — CRA will ask you to repay it. This usually happens when you file your next tax return and CRA recalculates your entitlement based on your actual income. The overpayment is deducted from any refund you are owed, or CRA sends you a bill for the amount.

If your circumstances change significantly — you marry, have a child, or move provinces — inform CRA as soon as possible. Changes do not affect the current tax year's payment, but they will affect future years. You can update your information through My Account or by calling CRA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to receive a $1,350 CRA payment?

No, if you file your tax return, CRA calculates your entitlement automatically and issues payment without any additional steps. You do not need to submit a separate form or request. However, you must file a return to receive any payment.

What if I did not file a tax return for the year I think I should have received this payment?

You will not receive any payment until you file a return for that year. You can file a return for previous years by contacting CRA or using a tax software that allows prior-year filing. Once filed, CRA will process your entitlement and issue payment, though it may take several weeks.

Can I receive a $1,350 payment if I am self-employed?

Yes, if your net self-employment income falls within the threshold for the Canada Workers Benefit or other credits. You must file a complete tax return reporting your business income and expenses. Self-employed individuals are may have access to to the same credits as employees, but only if they report their income to CRA.

Why did I receive less than $1,350 or more than $1,350?

The amount varies based on your net income, family status, number of dependents, and province. A single person with no children may receive $1,350, but a couple or a parent with children will receive a different amount. Check your Notice of Assessment to see which credits you received and the exact amounts.

If I move to a different province, does my payment change?

Your payment for the current tax year does not change, but future years may be affected. Some provinces have supplementary workers' benefits or different credit structures. Inform CRA of your move so your file is updated for next year's calculation.