Tax deadlines and benefit payment dates in 2026
By NovaCash · Updated September 22, 2026
Tax returns, CCB, GST/HST credits and Family Allowance have different schedules. Check the relevant official calendar before planning your budget.
It is not enough to say that tax dates move. There are at least three clocks. Income-tax filing (CRA). Federal benefit payments (CCB, GST/HST credit now partly the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit). Quebec calendars (Family Allowance and supplements at Retraite Québec, solidarity tax credit via Revenu Québec). A federal budget, a statute or an administrative change can move one of those clocks. It does not move all three at once.
Child tax credits are not eligible income at NovaCash. This page explains dates for household planning. It does not invite borrowing against a child benefit.
Filing 2025 returns, paid in 2026
According to CRA (page updated 2026-09-17): RRSP / PRPP / SPP contributions until 2 March 2026; file by 30 April 2026 for most individuals; 15 June 2026 if you or your spouse are self-employed; balance owing still due 30 April 2026 even if you file 15 June. A late-file problem is not the same as a late-payment problem. Instalments have yet another set of due dates.
Federal benefits: name the program
The Canada.ca calendar (modified 2026-08-07) lists, among others:
- Canada Child Benefit, 2026: 20 January, 20 February, 20 March, 20 April, 20 May, 19 June, 20 July, 20 August, 18 September, 20 October, 20 November, 11 December.
- GST/HST credit 2026: 5 January and 2 April. Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly tied to that credit): 3 July and 5 October 2026.
- Advance Canada Workers Benefit 2026: 12 January, 10 July, 9 October.
Payments are issued on those dates; the deposit can take a few days. Wait 5 to 10 business days before contacting the program. A mailed cheque takes longer than direct deposit.
Quebec: a different issuer
Family Allowance (Retraite Québec) is not CCB. In 2026, published quarterly dates are 5 January, 1 April, 2 July and 1 October; monthly payment has its own table; the school-supplies supplement is listed for 2 July 2026. The solidarity tax credit is at Revenu Québec, not on the CCB calendar. Do not reuse last year's dates.
Why last year is a bad autopilot
A federal budget, a benefit rename, a holiday or an address change can shift a payment. Sign in to CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, and Retraite Québec / Revenu Québec accounts. Update direct deposit. For a loan, contractual payment dates do not follow CRA: see why loan payment dates matter and pension dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is 30 April a benefit date?
No. It is mainly a filing and balance-due date. CCB has its own calendar.
Can I borrow at NovaCash against CCB?
No. Child tax credits are excluded as income. This article does not change that rule.
Where do I confirm a date before I move rent money?
On the program's official calendar, not on a memory of last year.