How to Apply for Ontario Trillium Benefit?

Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit step-by-step and Learn more about the Benefit, that is a tax-free benefit that helps Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes pay energy, sales and property taxes.

The Ontario Trillium Benefit -Overview-

The Ontario Trillium Benefit incorporates the following three credits to help pay for energy costs, as well as sales and property taxes: Northern Ontario Energy Credit Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit Ontario Sales Tax Credit To receive the benefit, you must be able to qualify for at least one of the three credits.

Northern Ontario Energy Credit

Northern Ontario Energy Credit This credit is a tax-free payment to assist Northern Ontarians with higher residential energy bills in the following areas:

• Algoma
• Kenora
• Manitoulin
• Cochrane
• Nipissing
• Parry Sound
• Rainy River
• Sudbury
• Thunder Bay
• Timiskaming

Requirements for the benefit year of 2021 (July 2021 – June 2022)

To be eligible, you must live in Northern Ontario on December 31, 2020, and have done at least one of the following before June 1, 2022:

1. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
2. Have a spouse or common-law partner now or in the past.
3. A parent who lives with your child or has previously lived with him or her.

and you, in 2020:

• Rented or paid real estate taxes on your primary residence.
• if you lived on a reservation and had to pay for your home’s energy expenses.
• You stayed in a public long-term care facility (e.g., a seniors’ home) and paid a portion of your rent.

Your qualification is also determined by your location on the first day of each month. If you live in Sudbury on November 1 then relocate to London (Southern Ontario) at the end of November, you will be eligible for the November NOEC payment but not any following payments.

Amount of credit Northern Ontario Energy Credit

a. You may get a maximum of $158 if you’re single.

b. A maximum of $243 might be awarded to families.

c. The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit may potentially provide additional funds to northern Ontarians.

d. To find out how much money you may obtain, use the tax credit calculator.

View prior benefit years’ credit amounts.

Energy and Property Tax Credit in Ontario

This credit is a tax-free contribution to assist you with property taxes and energy sales tax.

Requirements for the 2020 benefit year (July 2021–June 2022) is now available

To be eligible, you must be a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2020, and have completed at least one of the following by June 1, 2022:

a. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

b. Married or in a common-law relationship now or in the past.

c. A parent who lives with your child or has previously lived with him or her.

and you, in 2020:

1. Leased or paid real estate taxes on your primary residence.
2. If you lived on a reservation and had to pay for your home’s energy expenses.
3. Resided in a public long-term care facility (e.g., a seniors’ home) and paid a fee to stay there.

Your eligibility is also determined by your location on the first day of each month. If you move out of Ontario on November 10, for example, you will be entitled for the November OEPTC payment but not for any following payments.

Amount of credit Energy and Property Tax Credit in Ontario

There’s a chance you’ll obtain a maximum of:

• If you’re between the ages of 18 and 64, you’ll pay $1,095
• If you are above the age of 65, you will receive $1,247.
• If you reside on a reserve or in a public long-term care facility, you’ll pay $243.
• $25 for the time you spent in 2020 at a specified college, university, or private school.

To find out how much money you may obtain, use the tax credit calculator.

View prior benefit years’ credit amounts.

Credit for Sales Tax in Ontario

• You must be at least 19 years old.
• Married or in a common-law relationship now or in the past.
• A parent who lives with your child or has previously lived with him or her.

How to Obtain the Benefit Trillium of Ontario

You must apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit each year by filing your personal income tax return and completing and submitting the ON-BEN Application Form that comes with your tax return package. Even if you have no income to report, you must file your tax return.

The Canada Revenue Agency will assess if you are qualified and notify you if you are qualified to the credit based on the information in your tax return.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may be able to assist you if you are unable to prepare your tax return on your own.

Each year, the deadline to file your tax return is April 30.

If you’re married or cohabiting with someone,

While the Ontario Sales Tax Credit is paid to the individual whose return is evaluated first, the Ontario Energy and Property Tax/Northern Ontario Energy Credit is provided to the person who has completed Form ON-BEN and applied for the credit(s). Regardless of who applies, the payout will be the same.

If you reach the age of eighteen within the benefit year,

If you turn 18 before June 20, 2022, you must apply for the OTB and submit your tax return.

If you turn 18 in November 2021, for example, your 2020 tax return must be filed by April 30, 2021. You will get the next scheduled payment after you reach 18 if you qualify.

Calculating the OTB BENEFITS

Use the tax credit calculator to figure out how much you may collect from the OTB in total.

The amount you receive is determined by your:

1. Age.
2. Income.
3. Residence.
4. The size of the family.
5. Amount of rent or property tax paid.

The method of payment for the benefit

You will get your Ontario Trillium Benefit payment(s) via direct deposit if you receive your income tax return by direct deposit.

Starting in July, if you do not get your tax refund by direct deposit, your Ontario Trillium Benefit payments will be mailed to you on the 10th of each month (e.g., if you file your income tax by April 30, you can start receiving your benefit payments in July).

Payments of OTB

If you qualify for the following benefits for the 2021 benefit year:

• If you spend more than $360, you can choose from the following options:

a. Beginning in July 2021, payments will be made on a monthly basis.

b. In June 2022, a single payment will be made. You get the same total amount regardless of whatever option you select.

• If you pay $360 or less, you’ll get a single payment in July 2021.
• It will be increased to $10 if it is more than $2 but less than $10.
• You will not be paid if the amount is less than $2.

Dates for benefit payments from the Canada Revenue Agency can be found here.

Prepare your documents on time.

You’ll get your OTB payments on time if you file your tax return by April 30.

You will still receive the benefit if you file late, but your payment(s) may be delayed.

Direct deposit request

Direct deposit is a simple, secure, and time-saving method of receiving payments.

Direct deposit can be requested online using the CRA My Account service or by filling out the Canada direct deposit enrolment form.

Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you need assistance setting up direct deposit.

Objections

If you have any of the following circumstances, you should call the Canada Revenue Agency:

1. If you meet the requirements but do not get paid before July 24th or any subsequent month’s 24th, you will be considered ineligible.
2. You haven’t received the Ontario tax credits to which you are eligible.
3. Received a lower amount than anticipated.
4. Have been requested to return a credit as a result of a federal government evaluation or review.