Ontario Trillium Benefit: OTB Payment Dates, Eligibility and Amounts for 2026

If you live in Ontario and have a low or moderate income, you could qualify for the OTB. This tax-free benefit combines up to three provincial credits to help Ontario residents with sales tax, energy costs, and property taxes.

For the current benefit year, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027, your OTB entitlement is calculated using information from your 2025 income tax return.

Here’s how the Ontario Trillium Benefit works, who qualifies, how much you could receive, and when OTB payments are coming.

Key Takeaways

• Next OTB payment: October 9, 2026
• Payment frequency: Usually monthly, with payments generally issued on the 10^th unless the day falls on a weekend or statutory holiday
• Current benefit year: July 2026 to June 2027
• Income used: Your 2025 income is used to calculate your current OTB entitlement
• Taxable: No, OTB payments are tax-free

What Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

The Ontario Trillium Benefit is a tax-free benefit for eligible Ontario residents with low or moderate incomes.

Rather than being one individual benefit, the OTB combines three Ontario tax credits into a single payment:

• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC): Helps eligible Ontario residents with property taxes and the sales tax paid on energy.
• Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC): Helps eligible Northern Ontario residents with higher home energy costs.
• Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC): Helps eligible Ontario residents with the sales tax they pay.

You do not need to qualify for all three. If you are eligible for at least one of these credits, you could receive an Ontario Trillium Benefit payment.

The Ontario government funds the benefit, while the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the program and issues payments.

Who Is Eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

There is no single income or eligibility requirement for the entire Ontario Trillium Benefit. Instead, you need to qualify for at least one of its three components.

Your eligibility can depend on factors including:

• your income
• your age
• your marital or family status
• where you live in Ontario
• whether you rent or own your home
• the amount of rent or property tax you paid
• whether you live in Northern Ontario

For the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, for example, you generally need to have been an Ontario resident on December 31, 2025. You may qualify if you paid eligible rent or property tax for your principal residence, paid home energy costs while living on a reserve, or paid accommodation costs at an eligible long-term care home.

The Northern Ontario Energy Credit has similar requirements, but you must have lived in an eligible Northern Ontario area on December 31, 2025.

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is aimed more broadly at low- and moderate-income Ontario residents, with the amount you receive based largely on your income and family situation.

When Is the Next Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment?

The next Ontario Trillium Benefit payment is scheduled for October 9, 2026.

OTB payments are normally issued on the 10th of each month. However, October 10 falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the payment will be issued on the last working day before the 10th.

After October, the next OTB payments are scheduled for November 10 and December 10, 2026.

If you receive CRA payments by direct deposit, your OTB should be deposited directly into your bank account. Otherwise, your payment will generally be sent by cheque.

Upcoming Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates for 2026-2027

The current Ontario Trillium Benefit year runs from July 2026 through June 2027. Your entitlement for this benefit year will be based on your 2025 income tax return.

Here are the remaining OTB payment dates for the 2026-2027 benefit year:

• October 9, 2026
• November 10, 2026
• December 10, 2026
• January 8, 2027
• February 10, 2027
• March 10, 2027
• April 9, 2027
• May 10, 2027
• June 10, 2027

The CRA usually issues OTB payments on the 10th of each month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the payment is generally issued on the last working day before the 10th.

How Much Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

There is no single maximum OTB payment because the benefit combines three different credits. How much you receive depends on which credits you qualify for, your income, family situation, age, housing costs, and where you live.

How Much is the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?

For the 2026 benefit year, the maximum Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit is:

• $1,307 if you are between 18 and 64 (including up to $290 for the energy component and $1,017 for the property tax component)
• $1,488 if you are 65 or older (including up to $290 for the energy component and $1,198 for the property tax component)

Income-based reduction starts when your 2025 adjusted family net income exceeds:

• $29,047 if you are single with no children
• $36,309 if you have a spouse or common-law partner, or are a single parent
• $43,571 if you are a senior couple

Once your income exceeds the applicable threshold, your OEPTC is generally reduced by 2 percent of the income above that threshold.

For example, if the applicable threshold is $36,309 and your adjusted family net income is $46,309, you are $10,000 over the threshold. The income-based reduction would therefore be $200, or 2 percent of $10,000.

Different rules and maximum amounts can apply if you live on a reserve, in a public or non-profit long-term care home, or in a designated Ontario college, university, or private school residence.

How Much is the Northern Ontario Energy Credit?

For 2026, the maximum annual Northern Ontario Energy Credit amount is:

• $189 for a single person with no children
• $290 for couples and single parents

Your NOEC is reduced as your income increases. For a single person with no children, the credit is reduced by 1 percent of adjusted net income above $50,833. For couples and single parents, the credit is reduced by 1 percent of adjusted family net income above $65,356.

For the purposes of the NOEC, Northern Ontario includes the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timiskaming.

How Much is the Ontario Sales Tax Credit?

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit provides tax-free payments to help low- and moderate-income Ontario residents with the sales tax they pay.

For payments from July 2026 to June 2027, you could receive up to $378 for each adult and each child under 19 in your family per year.

That means a couple with two eligible children, for example, could qualify for an annual maximum of $1,512 before any income-based reduction.

For a single person with no children, the credit is reduced by 4 percent of adjusted net income above $29,047. For single parents and people who are married or living common-law, the credit is reduced by 4 percent of adjusted family net income above $36,309.

For example, if a couple’s adjusted family net income is $46,309, their income is $10,000 above the threshold. Their annual Ontario Sales Tax Credit would therefore be reduced by $400, or 4 percent of $10,000.

A different income threshold can apply to some seniors. For payments from July 2026 to June 2027, eligible seniors who are married, have a qualified dependant, or both may have their credit calculated using an income threshold of $37,273 instead.

Will You Receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit Every Month?

Most people with an annual OTB entitlement above the applicable lump-sum threshold receive 12 monthly payments covering July through June.

However, if your annual OTB entitlement is small, the CRA may pay the entire benefit at once rather than sending monthly payments.

You can also choose to receive your OTB as one payment at the end of the benefit year instead of receiving it monthly, provided your entitlement meets the applicable requirements.

If you received an OTB payment earlier in the year but are not receiving one every month, check your CRA account to see your entitlement and payment history.

How Do You Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

To receive the 2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit, you generally need to file your 2025 income tax and benefit return. You should file a return even if you had little or no income.

You do not need to separately apply for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit. The CRA determines whether you qualify based on your tax return.

To apply for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit or Northern Ontario Energy Credit, you need to complete Form ON-BEN, Application for the 2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit and Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant, with your tax return.

The form asks for information such as the rent or property tax you paid and, where applicable, your energy or accommodation costs.

If you are married or in a common-law relationship, only one of you generally applies for the OEPTC and NOEC for the family.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ontario Trillium Benefit

Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit taxable?

No. The Ontario Trillium Benefit is tax-free, so you do not have to include OTB payments as taxable income on your income tax return.

Is the Ontario Trillium Benefit the same as the Ontario Sales Tax Credit?

No. The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is one of three credits included in the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

Your OTB payments may also include the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

Do I have to apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit every year?

You need to file an income tax return each year for the CRA to determine your entitlement.

The Ontario Sales Tax Credit is calculated automatically based on your tax return. You also need to complete Form ON-BEN each year to apply for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit or Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

Can renters receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit?

Yes. Renters can qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit if they meet the eligibility requirements.

If you rent your principal residence in Ontario, you may qualify for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit. Generally, your rent must have been paid for a home that was subject to municipal or school property tax.

You may also qualify for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit based on your income and family situation. If you live in Northern Ontario, you could qualify for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit as well.

You do not need to own a home to receive any of these OTB components.

Why did I receive an OTB payment earlier in the year but not this month?

You may not be entitled to monthly payments. Check your CRA account to confirm your annual entitlement and payment schedule.

People with smaller annual OTB entitlements may receive the entire amount as one lump-sum payment. You may also have chosen to receive your annual entitlement as a single payment rather than monthly instalments.

Is there a minimum Ontario Trillium Benefit payment?

Yes. If your annual OTB entitlement is $2 or less, you will not receive a payment.

If your annual entitlement is more than $2 but less than $10, the CRA will increase your payment to $10 and pay it as a single lump sum.

How will I receive my Ontario Trillium Benefit payments?

If you are registered for CRA direct deposit, your OTB payments will be deposited directly into your bank account. If you are not registered for direct deposit, the CRA will send your OTB payments by cheque.

What If You Filed Your Taxes Late?

Filing your tax return late can delay your Ontario Trillium Benefit, but it does not necessarily mean you will lose payments you were eligible to receive.

For the current benefit year, if your 2025 tax return was assessed after June 19, 2026, your first OTB payment will generally be issued within four to eight weeks after your return is assessed.

That first payment should include any previous monthly amounts you were entitled to receive.

Your remaining payments should then follow the regular OTB schedule, assuming you are eligible for monthly payments.

What If Your Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Doesn’t Arrive?

If you expected an OTB payment but did not receive it, first check your CRA account.

Under your benefits and credits information, you can check your OTB entitlement, upcoming payments, and payment history. Also make sure your address, marital status, and banking information are up to date.

Keep in mind that not everyone who qualifies for the OTB receives a payment every month. Depending on your annual entitlement and the payment option you selected, your benefit may be paid as a lump sum.

If a scheduled payment does not arrive, the CRA recommends waiting 10 working days from the payment date before contacting the agency.