What the $1,350 CRA payment is and who it targets

The Canada Revenue Agency periodically issues one-time payments to residents who meet specific criteria. The $1,350 payment is not automatic — it is tied to particular tax years, income thresholds, and filing status. The payment you may have heard about most commonly refers to payments made through programs like the Canada Workers Benefit advance payment or targeted relief payments announced during specific periods.

Because CRA payment programs change year to year and sometimes month to month, the first step is confirming which payment program you are looking at. The amount, who receives it, and the income limits all depend on when the payment was announced and what it was designed to address. Your CRA My Account portal shows any payments you have received or are scheduled to receive.

Key Takeaways

  • CRA payments of $1,350 are typically tied to specific tax years and income ranges, so you need to check which program applies to your situation.
  • Most CRA payments are issued automatically to people who filed a tax return and meet the income and residency requirements — you do not need to take action to receive them.
  • Your CRA My Account shows the status of any payments you are may have access to to, including the payment date and amount.
  • If you did not file a tax return for the year the payment was based on, you may need to file one to receive it, depending on the program rules.

How CRA determines who receives the payment

CRA uses your most recent tax return to determine whether you meet the income and residency requirements for any given payment. The income threshold varies by program — some target households earning below a certain amount, while others have different rules based on family size or number of dependents. Residency requirements typically mean you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes during the year the payment is based on.

If you filed a tax return for the relevant year, CRA has the information it needs and will process the payment without you doing anything. If you did not file, or if your return is incomplete or not yet processed, you may not receive the payment until your return is filed and assessed. Some programs have specific rules about whether non-filers can receive payments at all.

Checking your payment status in My Account

The fastest way to see whether you are receiving a $1,350 payment is to log into CRA My Account using your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, and a password or sign-in code. Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Payments" or "Direct Deposits" — this shows all payments CRA has sent to you or scheduled to send.

The portal displays the payment amount, the date it was issued or will be issued, and the account it was deposited to. If you see a $1,350 payment listed, you can confirm the date you should expect it. If you do not see a payment you thought you were may have access to to, the portal may also show a reason — for example, that your income was above the threshold or that your return has not yet been assessed.

What to do if you did not file a tax return

If the payment program requires you to have filed a return for a specific tax year and you did not, you will need to file one to be considered. You can file a return for a previous year at any time, though CRA processes older returns more slowly. File online through NETFILE if you use tax software, or by mail if you prefer — both routes are free.

Once your return is filed and assessed, CRA will review it against the payment program's rules. If you meet the criteria, the payment will be issued to the direct deposit account on file with CRA, or by cheque if you have not provided banking details. Processing can take several weeks after your return is assessed, so do not expect an immediate payment.

Income limits and family size considerations

Most CRA payments have an income threshold — a maximum household or individual income above which you do not receive the payment. The threshold depends on the specific program and may be adjusted for family size or number of dependents. For example, a payment program might have a higher income limit for a household with children than for a single person.

Your "income" for CRA payment purposes is usually your net income as reported on your tax return, not your gross salary. This means deductions, losses, and credits can lower the income figure CRA uses to determine your may be able to access. If you are unsure whether your income falls below the threshold, you can calculate it using the line items from your most recent notice of assessment.

Direct deposit versus cheque payment

CRA prefers to issue payments by direct deposit to a bank account you have registered with them. Direct deposit is faster — payments typically arrive within a few business days of the issue date. If you have not provided banking information to CRA, the payment will be issued by cheque instead, which takes longer to arrive and can be lost or delayed in the mail.

You can add or update your direct deposit information in My Account at any time. If you are expecting a payment and want to ensure it arrives quickly, log in and confirm your banking details are current. If you have moved or changed banks, update your information before the payment is issued.

What happens if you received a payment you were not may have access to to

If CRA issued you a payment and later determines you did not meet the program's requirements, they will contact you about repaying it. This can happen if your income was recalculated, if you were not a resident for the full year, or if you received the payment in error. CRA typically allows you to repay the amount over time rather than demanding immediate repayment.

If you receive a notice about repayment, respond to it promptly and contact CRA to discuss a repayment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Ignoring the notice will result in the amount being deducted from future tax refunds or benefits you are may have access to to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which CRA payment program the $1,350 is from?

Log into My Account and look at the payment details — CRA usually labels the payment with the program name, such as "Canada Workers Benefit" or the specific relief program it is part of. If the label is unclear, contact CRA directly at 1-800-959-5525 and provide the payment date and amount.

Can I receive the payment if I am not a Canadian citizen?

Most CRA payments require you to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, not necessarily a citizen. Permanent residents and some temporary residents who file tax returns may be may have access to to payments. Your residency status for tax purposes is shown on your notice of assessment.

What if my direct deposit information is wrong and the payment went to the wrong account?

Contact CRA immediately at 1-800-959-5525 with the payment date and amount. Provide the correct banking information and ask them to reissue the payment. If the payment went to an account you no longer have access to, CRA can work with your bank to recover it.

Do I have to report the $1,350 payment as income on my next tax return?

No. CRA payments like the Canada Workers Benefit advance or targeted relief payments are not taxable income and do not need to be reported on your return. However, if the payment was an advance on a benefit you will receive later, it may affect the amount of that benefit.

How long does it take to receive the payment after I file my tax return?

If you file online, CRA typically assesses your return within two to four weeks. Once assessed, the payment is usually issued within one to two weeks if you meet all the program requirements. By mail, processing takes longer — allow six to eight weeks from the date you mail your return.