News release

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

Ottawa, October 5, 2005... The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is issuing the October goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments today. Individuals who have their GST/HST credit payment deposited directly into their account at their financial institution can expect to receive their payment 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 October 20, 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.

GST/HST credit recipients are reminded to inform the CRA of any changes in their family situation as soon as possible. The changes listed below can affect the amount of GST/HST credit that they receive:

• birth of a child or a child starting to live with someone else;
• change in marital status
• moving from one province to another, which could entitle a person to a provincial benefit administered by the CRA;
• becoming a resident of Canada; and/or
• death of the individual.

The CRA expects to issue GST/HST credit payments totalling more than $776 million to more than 8.4 million individuals across Canada this quarter.

Payments under the Saskatchewan Sales Tax Credit (SSTC) program are also included with the October 2005 GST/HST credit payments.

To receive GST/HST credit quarterly payments, people must file their 2004 income tax 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/myaccount.

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 website at www.cra.gc.ca/benefits.

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

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