Can I Get the GST/HST Credit If I Have Debt or Filed a Consumer Proposal?

Tax season can feel like a mix of dread and relief. On one hand, you’re filing returns and facing numbers you’d rather not see. On the other, there’s the possibility of money coming back your way — like the GST/HST credit.

If you’re carrying debt or already in a consumer proposal, you might be wondering: will that credit still land in my account, or will CRA take it?

The short answer: yes, you can still receive it in many cases, but it depends on your situation.

What the GST/HST Credit Is

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment from the government that shows up every quarter to help balance out the sales taxes you pay. The amount is based on your income from the previous tax year and your family situation — lower and middle-income Canadians are the ones who usually benefit the most.

Why It’s Critical for Low-to-Middle Income Canadians

For some, this credit is a nice-to-have. For others, it’s the difference between making rent and not, or having a little breathing room for groceries and gas. And when debt already feels like it’s eating up every dollar, that small but steady top-up really matters.

Questions Around Debt and Proposals

Here’s where the anxiety kicks in: if you owe CRA money, or if you’ve filed a consumer proposal, does that credit still land in your account? Or does it vanish into your tax debt before you even see it?

These are common questions and the answer depends on timing, your debt situation, and the type of debt relief you’ve chosen.

How the GST/HST Credit Works in 2025

2025 GST/HST Credit Amounts and Payment Dates

In 2025, the GST/HST credit can mean a few hundred dollars per adult, plus extra if you’ve got kids under 19.

Payments roll out four times a year (July, October, January, and April) like a quiet little rhythm of support. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s steady and reliable, which is exactly what many households need.

Eligibility Requirements for 2025

The rule is simple: no tax return, no credit. Even if you didn’t make much, or anything, you still need to file.

The CRA calculates eligibility based on your family’s net income, so missing a filing could mean missing out entirely.

How CRA Applies Credits to Debt

Now for the curveball: if you already owe CRA money, they can use your GST/HST credit to pay down that debt. It’s their way of collecting what’s owed without sending another bill.

That’s why people who are already behind on taxes often worry about whether they’ll ever see those credits in their own account.

Consumer Proposals and CRA Debts

Filing a Consumer Proposal with Tax Debt

When you file a consumer proposal, CRA is treated like any other creditor. They’re at the table, and your tax debt gets bundled into the proposal along with credit cards, loans, and other unsecured debts.

Will CRA Seize My GST/HST Credit?

If you already owed CRA money before filing, they may have been intercepting your GST/HST credit to chip away at that balance. This can continue right up until your proposal is officially filed and accepted.

How a Consumer Proposal Protects You After Filing

Once your consumer proposal is accepted, the rules change. Creditors (including the CRA) have to stop collection efforts. That means they can no longer take your GST/HST credits going forward. From that point, those quarterly payments usually resume coming directly to you.

GST/HST Credit While in a Consumer Proposal

Payments Usually Continue

Here’s the part most people breathe easier about: once your consumer proposal is filed and accepted, your GST/HST credits usually keep coming just like before. For a lot of folks, those quarterly deposits don’t skip a beat, even while the proposal is in place.

Exceptions to Be Aware Of

That said, there can be a few bumps along the way. If CRA was already taking your credits to cover old tax debt, it might not stop instantly. You could miss a payment or two before things reset. And if your proposal was filed right around a scheduled payout, that first deposit might get caught in the shuffle.

The good news? Once the dust settles, your credits usually land back in your account like clockwork.

Role of Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee

Not sure how your own credits will play out? That’s where your trustee steps in. Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) knows exactly how CRA handles these situations and can explain what to expect in your specific case.

GST/HST Credit If You File for Bankruptcy Instead

Difference From a Consumer Proposal

Here’s where things diverge. In a consumer proposal, you typically retain your GST/HST credit payments. But in bankruptcy, the treatment of these credits is more nuanced. While they may initially be redirected to your trustee, GST/HST credits are generally considered exempt from seizure under paragraph 67(1)(b.1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), unless they’re needed to cover trustee fees and disbursements. If the estate has sufficient funds to pay a dividend to creditors, these credits should not be included in the trustee’s fee calculation and are to be returned to you.

In practice, some trustees hold GST/HST credits until discharge, while others return them as they come in — often to reduce confusion or debtor inquiries.

Duration of CRA Redirection

During bankruptcy, your GST/HST credit payments are redirected for the length of the bankruptcy term (often 9 to 21 months for a first-time filer, depending on income).

Returning to Normal After Discharge

The silver lining? Once you’re discharged from bankruptcy, the credits come back to you like normal. Filing taxes on time means you won’t miss a beat when those payments resume.

Protecting Your GST/HST Credit During Debt Relief

File Taxes on Time

If you don’t file your taxes, you don’t get the credit. It’s as simple as that. Even if your income is low or zero, file every year to stay eligible.

Discuss CRA Debts with a Trustee Before Filing

If CRA debt is on the table, timing is everything. Chatting with your trustee before you file a proposal or bankruptcy can save you headaches—and help make sure your GST/HST credits don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Keep Records of All CRA Correspondence

Always keep copies of CRA letters and notices. If a payment goes missing or seems redirected in error, your trustee can use those records to step in and straighten things out.

Taking the Next Step

GST/HST credits are a lifeline for many Canadians, especially if you’re already balancing debt.

If you’re worried about losing your credits or how tax debt fits into a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, don’t wait.

Book a free consultation with Farber today. One of our Licensed Insolvency Trustees will walk you through your options and help you move forward with confidence.