News release

January goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments

Ottawa, January 5, 2005... The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is issuing the January goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments today. Individuals who have their GST/HST credit payments deposited directly into their accounts at their financial institutions can expect to receive their payments today.

Individuals who receive their GST/HST credit cheques by mail can expect to receive them within the next 10 working days. If they have not received their cheques by January 19, they should contact the GST/HST Credit Enquiries service at 1-800-959-1953. This service is available from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., local time, on weekdays.

The CRA expects to issue GST/HST credit payments totaling more than $774 million to more than 8.5 million individuals across Canada this quarter.

Payments under the Saskatchewan Sales Tax Credit program are also included with the January 2005 GST/HST credit payments.

To receive GST/HST credit quarterly payments, people must file their and benefit return and complete the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit application area on the first page of the return.

Individuals who move must inform the CRA immediately to ensure that payments of their GST/HST credit are not disrupted, even if they use direct deposit and their bank account does not change. The CRA's Address Changes Online service makes a change of address easier. This service is available at www.cra.gc.ca/newaddress.

General information regarding the GST/HST credit can be obtained through the CRA's automated Tax Information Phone Service (T.I.P.S.) at 1-800-267-6999, or on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/benefits.

A fact sheet with more information on the GST/HST credit is available on our site.

This document is also available for download in .pdf format.

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