If you’re paying tax then you would probably know that getting a tax credit or a tax deduction feels amazing! It is one kind of income or saving. It reduces the money that you own and helps you save for other purposes. One synch tax credit Benefit is Ontario Trillium Benefits (OTB). Wondering what are Ontario Trillium Benefits, Trillium payment dates, and how it works? Well, read further!

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What are Ontario Trillium Benefits?

It is one of the refundable tax credits made available to citizens having low or medium-income in Canada. It is a mixture of thee tax credits, 

1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
2. Ontario Sales Tax Credit 
3. Northern Ontario Energy Credit

It is issued to citizens every month or once every year. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) looks after distributing this credit while the program is funded under the Government of Ontario.

Let us look at each of these credits in detail. 

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Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

As the name suggests this credit helps low and medium-income households in that tax payment related to energy. To qualify for this program, 

• Your age should be at least 18. 
• You need to be living in Ontario till December 31st of the preceding year. 
• In addition to that, you need the following. 
• You should have paid property tax or rent for the residence you are living in, or 
• There is a requirement that you need to pay for your accommodation if you are living in a nursing home, or 
• If you are living in a reserve, you need to have paid your energy cost or you need to be a resident of a University, a private school, or a college in the preceding year.

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Ontario Sales Tax Credit 

This tax credit is quite similar or related to GST or HST credit which helps people offset the sales tax on buying goods or services. To qualify for this credit you need to be obviously an Ontario resident. And you need to follow one of the following terms. 

• You should be at least 19 years old. 
• Living with your parents or child in the previous year. 
• You have to be married or divorced or need to have a common-in-law partner. 

The best part about this program is that you don’t have to apply separately for the Ontario Sales Tax credit because CRA automatically looks after your previous year’s income tax return and decides if you are eligible or not.

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Northern Ontario Energy Credit

Just like the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, this also aims to provide relief to low or medium-income households. The only difference is that it caters to the northern part of Ontario. The eligibility for this program is mentioned below. 

• You need to have paid property tax rent on the residence you are living in. 
• The cost of accommodation or any other accommodation cost needs to be paid if you are living in a nursing home. 
• If you are living on a reserve then you need to have paid energy costs on that as well.

Also know: Tax For Self-Employed In Canada: How Much To Set Aside For CPP & EI?

Trillium Payment Dates

Wondering when you are going to receive the Ontario Trillium credit? Well, we have got you covered. Benefits are generally paid by the 10th of every month and start from July. The trillium payment dates are mentioned below. 

• January 8, 2021
• February 10, 2021
• March 10, 2021
• April 9, 2021
• May 10, 2021
• June 10, 2021
• July 9, 2021
• August 10, 2021
• September 10, 2021
• October 8, 2021
• November 10, 2021
• December 10, 2021

If you have the benefit of $360 or less than that, then you are likely to be paid a lump sum amount in July. In the case where the benefit exceeds $360, you have the privilege to choose whether you want to get paid in one payment or not. 

If in case your benefit amount is less than $2, then you may not receive any kind of payment. In the case where your Trillium benefit amount is between $2 to $10, then it is considered to be $10. If you are still facing any issue or have any kind of confusion then you can dial the number for the Ontario Trillium benefit program at – 1866 6688 297.

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How Many Benefits Can You Get on Trillium Payment Dates? 

As mentioned above, the benefit amount depends on the income but not just your income but your household income during the last year in addition to your age, property tax, your family size, marital status, and any accommodation costs that you have paid. The period for this program is July to June. You can expect this payment to be credited directly to your bank account if you have opted for direct deposit by CRA. If you have chosen the offline mode of payment, then you can expect a check to be delivered to your address. 

Below is the amount that you can expect under each trillium benefit. 

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

If your age is between 18 to 64 years old then the maximum amount you can expect is $1,085 which includes $844 of property tax, and $241 for energy costs.

In case, you are a senior citizen above the age of 65 years then the maximum amount you can expect is $1,236. This amount is bifurcated into $995 dollars for property tax and $241 for energy costs. 

For people living in a reserve or in a nursing home, the amount is kept at $241. 

If you are a University college or a private school resident, $25 is the amount for this benefit.

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Ontario Sales Tax Credit 

Per adult or child, the maximum amount expected under this during 2021 is $316. 

If your household income is more than $24,332 if you are single and have no kids and $3,0415 if you are a parent then the benefit amount is cut down by 4%.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

For the year 2021, if you are single and have no kids, the amount you can expect is $158, while if you have a family the amount is $243. 

In the case where your net income is more than $42580, if you have a family then $54,746, your benefit amount is cut down by 1%.

Read: Understanding the Old Age Security Pension (OAS)

Taxes on Trillium Benefits 

This is a common question that arises while receiving any kind of benefits whether it is taxable or tax-free. The answer for these Trillium benefits is that no you do not need to pay any kind of tax on the benefits you receive. If you have any amount pending or due with CRA, it can be deducted from this benefit.

The Bottom Line

In addition to this tax credit, you can also gain other benefits under this program like the Ontario Child Benefit, Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit, and Trillium Drug Program. Thus, make yourself aware of such advantages and save money for your future! 

Know more on: 9 Easy Ways To Make Money From Home In Canada

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