If you’ve got a low income or are part of a low-income family, you might be eligible for the solidarity tax credit, the shelter allowance program, the work premium tax credits and more.
To calculate the solidarity tax credit, we add up the amounts you’re entitled to under each of the three components:
The result may be reduced on the basis of your family income.
For an estimate of your tax credit payments, you can use the calculator available on our website.
The only way to make sure you get the full amount of each component of the solidarity tax credit you’re eligible for is to file your tax return, along with Schedule D, and sign up for direct deposit. If you’re eligible for the credit but don’t complete Schedule D, you’ll only get the basic amount of the QST component.
Yes, but no later than four years following the end of the taxation year used to calculate the credit for the period in question. For example, if you forgot to claim the credit when you did your taxes for 2018 (for the period from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020), you have until December 31, 2022, to claim it.
There are four ways to sign up:
You must meet the basic conditions, and your work income for the year must be greater than $2,400 or $3,600, depending on whether or not you had a spouse. There is also a limit on family income based on your situation (single person, childless couple, single parent or couple with one or more children).
The shelter allowance program is for low-income individuals and families who spend too much of their budget on rent or mortgage payments.
For the period from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, the program provides up to $100 per month in financial assistance. For the period from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, the financial assistance is $100, $150 or $170 per month.
You may be eligible for the shelter allowance if you’re in one the following situations:
Limits apply based on your family income regardless if you are a tenant, a rooming-house occupant or a homeowner.