How much you get, who qualifies, payment dates, and how to claim the OTB on your tax return
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is a combined monthly benefit that helps low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with energy costs, property taxes, and sales taxes. It combines three separate credits into one payment — and many Ontarians receive it without realizing what it is or how much they are entitled to.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit consists of three credits paid together:
| Credit | What It Covers | 2025–2026 Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | Property taxes and home energy costs | Up to $1,248 (renters); $1,421 (homeowners) |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | Higher energy costs in Northern Ontario | Up to $173 (single); $266 (families) |
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | Offset HST paid on everyday purchases | Up to $360 per adult and child |
If your annual OTB is over $360, it is paid monthly on the 10th of each month. If it is $360 or less, CRA pays the full amount in a single July payment.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | June 10, 2026 |
| July 2026 (new benefit year) | July 10, 2026 |
| August 2026 | August 9, 2026 |
| September 2026 | September 10, 2026 |
| October 2026 | October 9, 2026 |
Set up direct deposit in CRA My Account to receive your OTB directly in your bank account. Otherwise CRA mails a cheque, which can take weeks longer to arrive.
You are eligible for the OTB if, on December 31 of the prior tax year, you:
| Credit | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
| OEPTC (Energy & Property) | Paid rent or property tax in Ontario during the year |
| NOEC (Northern Ontario) | Lived in Northern Ontario (Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie districts, etc.) |
| OSTC (Sales Tax) | Income below the phase-out threshold — no property or rent requirement |
Your OTB amount depends on your adjusted family net income. At low incomes, you receive the full credit amount. As income rises, the benefit reduces. Phase-out begins around $30,000–$45,000 depending on which component and your family situation.
| Net Income | Estimated Annual OTB | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $1,200 – $1,600+ | $100 – $133 |
| $40,000 | $600 – $900 | $50 – $75 |
| $60,000 | $200 – $500 | $17 – $42 |
| Over $80,000 | Usually nil or small OSTC only | — |
Use CRA's Benefits Estimator in My Account for your exact amount.
You claim all three components on your Ontario tax return using ON-BEN (Application for the 2026 Ontario Trillium Benefit and Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant). This is part of your regular T1 return — most tax software includes ON-BEN automatically when you select Ontario as your province.
Key information you need to enter on ON-BEN:
If you live in subsidized or public housing, you are generally not eligible for the OEPTC component because your landlord pays property tax separately. You may still qualify for the OSTC.
You can claim OTB for previous years by filing an adjustment (T1-ADJ) for up to 10 prior years. If you never filed a return for those years, file them now — it is not too late. CRA accepts returns for up to 10 years back, and the OTB credit is one of the most commonly missed for low-income filers.
Claim all 10 years at once. If you were eligible for OTB from 2015 to 2024 and never claimed it, you could receive a lump-sum retroactive payment of several thousand dollars by filing those years now.
Seniors who own their home may also qualify for the Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG) — up to $500 per year. You claim it on the same ON-BEN form when you file your taxes. Eligibility: age 64+ as of December 31, own and occupy your Ontario home, and have adjusted net income under $50,000 (single) or $60,000 (couple).
Ontario residents can also receive several other provincial benefits alongside the OTB:
Many Ontarians miss OTB, OCB, or retroactive credits simply because they did not know to claim them. A Smart Canada Tax advisor can review your situation and file any missed returns.
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