The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is giving a $250 one-time Working Canadians Rebate in spring 2025 to help 18.7 million workers with rising costs. Announced on November 21, 2024, this tax-free payment is for Canadians who earned up to $150,000 in 2023, including nearly a million working seniors. Unlike loans like Australia’s Centrelink Student Start-up, it doesn’t need repayment. Here’s a simple guide on who qualifies, how to get it, and what to avoid.
What Is the Rebate?
The Working Canadians Rebate is a one-time $250 payment to ease financial stress from high prices for food, rent, and utilities. It’s tax-free and will be sent automatically in April–May 2025 by direct deposit or cheque. No application is needed, as the CRA uses your 2023 tax return to check eligibility. This relief helps workers after holiday expenses, unlike regular benefits like GST/HST credits.
Who Can Get It?
- Worked in 2023 with net income of $150,000 or less (after deductions like RRSPs).
- Filed your 2023 tax return by December 31, 2024.
- Reported Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), Employment Insurance (EI), or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) contributions, or EI/QPIP income.
- Live in Canada on March 31, 2025.
- Not deceased or in jail for 90+ days by April 1, 2025.
It covers full-time, part-time, and self-employed workers but not non-workers, which has upset some groups.
How to Receive the Payment
- File your 2023 taxes by December 31, 2024, to be eligible.
- Update your bank details or address in CRA’s My Account to ensure smooth delivery.
- Check payment status on My Account or call 1-800-959-8281 if it’s late.
Direct deposits are faster; cheques may take weeks. The CRA will send a notice via mail or My Account. If you don’t get it, contact CRA to fix any issues.
Watch Out for Scams
Online rumors about a $250 GST Relief Payment or bigger amounts are fake. The CRA won’t ask for personal info via text or email. Use canada.ca or My Account for real updates. The rebate won’t affect other benefits like Canada Child Benefit and is tax-free, so you keep all $250. Report scams to reportfraud.cra-arc.gc.ca.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | $250 (tax-free, one-time) |
| Eligibility | Workers with ≤$150,000 net income (2023) |
| Filing Deadline | December 31, 2024 (2023 taxes) |
| Payment Date | April–May 2025 |
| Delivery | Direct deposit or cheque |
| Recipients | ~18.7 million Canadians |
| Contact | canada.ca, 1-800-959-8281 |