The Government of Canada has urged Canadians to file their Income Tax and Benefit return by the 30 April deadline, saying the information is used to renew eligibility for several income-tested programmes delivered through Service Canada.
In an announcement on 1 April, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, linked timely tax filing to ongoing access to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
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For the CDCP, members must renew every year to keep their eligibility and avoid a break in coverage.
Renewal can only be completed after a member files their Income Tax and Benefit return and receives their 2025 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
The renewal window for this cycle runs from 15 April 2026 to 1 June 2026. Members can renew online or by phone, and current participants are required to renew by 1 June 2026 to avoid potential interruptions.
Service Canada will also conduct annual reviews to confirm clients remain eligible to receive CDB payments in 2026–27. Clients who file taxes on time and continue to hold a valid disability tax credit will automatically stay eligible for payments from July 2026 to June 2027.
The amount paid under the CDB is based on income reported on a client’s most recent tax return, the government said.
For the OAS and GIS, eligibility is automatically confirmed once clients submit their annual tax return, with Service Canada using the return data to calculate any adjustments.
For people who qualify for the GIS, the amount depends on marital status and net income.
Service Canada reviews GIS eligibility each July using the previous year’s declared income, and those entitled are automatically renewed as long as the tax return is filed on time.
Hajdu said: “When Canadians receive benefits in a timely manner, it means less financial pressure and a seamless delivery of services. Filing taxes on time is an important way to ensure that their benefits continue without interruption.
“By working closely with the Canada Revenue Agency, we will make sure that once taxes are filed, clients can easily renew their benefits and continue accessing important services they rely on.”
