Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates, OTB Amount, Eligibility

The Ontario Trillium Payment Dates 2024 bring together three important financial support programs into one convenient payment. These programs include the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit.

Usually, OTB payments are made in 12 monthly installments, with each payment scheduled for the 10th of every month starting in July 2024. If the 10th falls on a national holiday or weekend, the payment will be made on the business day before. This process applies to all three of these credits, ensuring you receive your money without any delays.

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)

The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) helps Ontario residents with modest to low incomes by reducing their energy bills and property taxes.  The OEPTC has two main components: one related to energy costs and the other to property taxes. To qualify for this credit, you must have lived in Ontario for at least a year, with residency in the province by December 31, 2023, or earlier, and meet some basic requirements.

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Here’s what makes you eligible:

• You paid rent or property taxes for your main home in Ontario in 2023.
• You covered accommodation costs in a non-profit or public long-term care facility in Ontario in 2023.
• You paid for home energy (like electricity or heating) for your main home on a reserve in Ontario by 2023.
• You lived in a designated university, college, or private school residence in Ontario until 2023.

Benefit Amount

If your 2024 Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) entitlement is more than $360, you’ll receive the full amount in one payment on June 10, 2025. If it’s less than $360, you’ll get the entire amount in a lump sum around July.

Additional Note

If you were 64 years old or older as of December 31, 2023, lived in your primary residence in Ontario, and paid property taxes on it in 2023, you might also qualify for the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant in 2024.

Understanding OTB Payments

The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) combines three benefits: the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit. To get these benefits, you need to complete and submit the ON-BEN application form along with your tax return.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

The Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) is a program designed to help residents of Northern Ontario cover their higher energy costs. It provides financial support to recognize the region’s unique energy challenges.

To qualify for the NOEC, you must have paid one or more eligible expenses in Northern Ontario by December 31, 2023. These expenses could include:

• Property taxes or rent for your main home in Northern Ontario in 2023.
• Accommodation and living costs in a non-profit or public long-term care facility in Northern Ontario in 2023.
• Energy bills (like heating or electricity) for your primary home on a reserve in Northern Ontario in 2023.

Benefit Amount

If your 2024 OTB entitlement is more than $360, you’ll get the full amount on June 10, 2025. If it’s less than $360, you’ll receive it in a single payment around July.

How to Apply for NOEC?

To apply for the NOEC, you’ll need to file your income tax and benefit return for the previous year. For example, to be eligible for the NOEC in 2024, use your 2023 income tax return and include the ON-BEN form, which covers the Ontario Trillium Benefit and the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant application.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) is a tax-free payment that helps offset sales taxes for Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes.

Eligibility and Payment Amount

From July 2024 to June 2025, based on your 2023 tax return, the OSTC allows for a maximum of $360 per person. Single parents see a 4% reduction in credits for incomes above $27,729, while individuals in partnerships or with dependents get a similar reduction for family incomes over $34,661. These credits are part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), which is paid monthly starting in July 2024.

In the previous cycle, from July 2023 to June 2024, based on the 2022 tax return, the maximum credit was $345 per person. The reduction thresholds were $26,535 for singles without children and $33,169 for families, following the same 4% reduction rule.

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OTB Payment Dates 2024

Your eligibility for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) each year is determined by your previous year’s income tax return. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) usually issues the OTB in 12 monthly installments on the 10th of each month.

In 2024, OTB payments are scheduled for the 10th of every month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will be issued on the last working day before the 10th.

How to Apply for OTB?

You don’t need to submit a separate application for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) if you’re filing your annual income tax return. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete your income tax return for the previous year so the CRA can use this information to determine your OTB eligibility and amount.
• When filing your taxes, include the ON-BEN application form, which covers the Ontario Trillium Benefit and the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit.
• Make sure all the information you provide is accurate.
• File your tax return before the April 30 deadline to avoid delays in your OTB assessment and payment.

FAQs

What happens if I file my tax return after the April 30 deadline?
Filing your tax return after April 30 could delay your Ontario Trillium Benefit payment.

When can I expect to receive my Ontario Trillium Benefit payments?
Ontario Trillium Benefit payments are scheduled for the 10th of every month, or the last working day before the 10th if it falls on a holiday or weekend.

How can I apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
To apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit, you need to complete and submit the ON-BEN application form along with your income tax return.