Eligible residents of Ontario will receive their next installment of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) on May 10, 2024.
This benefit combines the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit to assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
The OTB is typically distributed monthly on the tenth, providing continual financial support throughout the year.
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Determining Your Ontario Trillium Benefit Amount
The maximum annual payment amount of the Ontario Trillium Benefit varies based on several factors, including age, income, residence location, family size, and rent or property tax paid.
Below, we outline the amounts you could be eligible to receive under each component of the OTB:
Maximum Payments for Ontario Trillium Benefit
To provide clarity on the potential financial assistance available, we’ve detailed the maximum yearly benefits for each component of the OTB:
| Credit | Individual Maximum | Family Maximum | Additional Notes |
| Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) | $180 | $277 | – |
| Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) | $1,248 (Ages 18-64) $1,421 (65+) | – | $277 (Reserve/long-term care) $25 (Student in post-secondary residence) |
| Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) | $360 per adult | $360 per child | Per household member |
Criteria for Ontario Trillium Benefit Eligibility
To qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), you must be a resident of Ontario and have filed your income tax returns. An active Social Insurance Number (SIN) is also required. Eligibility for the OTB necessitates that you meet the qualifications for at least one of the following three credits:
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Understanding these criteria is essential for all tax-paying residents in Ontario, especially those in our immigrant communities and those aspiring to move to Canada.
Qualifications for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit
The Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC) is a tax-free payment designed to offset the sales tax that Ontarians pay. To be eligible for this credit, you must be a resident of Ontario and meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Be 19 years of age or older,
- Be married, formerly married, or in a common-law relationship,
- Be a parent currently living with or having previously lived with your child.
Ontarians can receive up to $360 of OSTC annually, with additional payments of $360 available for a spouse, common-law partner, and each dependent child under 19 years of age.
Eligibility Requirements for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) offers a tax-free benefit to help offset the cost of energy-related sales tax and property taxes. To qualify, you must have been a resident of Ontario as of December 31, 2023, and by June 1, 2024, you need to meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Be 18 years of age or older,
- Be married, formerly married, or in a common-law partnership,
- Be a parent living with your child or have lived with your child previously.
Additionally, in 2023, you must have done one of the following:
- Paid property taxes on your primary residence,
- Rented and your landlord was obligated to pay property taxes on your primary residence (this includes tenants in subsidized housing—check with your landlord if they were obligated to pay property tax),
- Lived on a reserve and paid household energy bills,
- Resided in a senior’s home or other public long-term care facility and paid for your accommodation.
Requirements for Northern Ontario Energy Credit Eligibility
The Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) is a tax-free payment intended to assist residents of designated regions in Northern Ontario with higher residential energy costs due to geographic challenges. Eligibility requires that you were a resident of Ontario on December 31, 2023, and that by June 1, 2025, you fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older,
- Be married, previously married, or in a common-law partnership,
- Be a parent currently living with or having previously lived with your child.
In 2023, you must also have either:
- Rented your main residence or paid property taxes,
- Lived on a reserve and paid for your household energy expenses,
- Resided in a senior’s home or another public long-term care facility, contributing to your accommodation costs.
Eligibility for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit
The Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC) is designed to help offset the higher energy costs faced by residents of Northern Ontario. To be eligible, you must have been a resident of Ontario as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, by June 1, 2025, you should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older,
- Be married, previously married, or in a common-law relationship,
- Be a parent currently living with or having previously lived with your child.
Further requirements for 2023 include having either:
- Paid property tax or rent for your principal residence,
- Lived on a reserve and paid for household energy costs,
- Resided in a public long-term care facility such as a senior’s home and paid part of your accommodation expenses.
How to Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit?
To apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), you must file your annual personal income tax and benefit return along with the ON-BEN Application Form included in your tax package. This process must be completed even if you do not have any income to report.
The Canada Revenue Agency uses the information from your tax return to determine your eligibility and calculate your credit entitlement. Remember that the deadline to submit your tax return each year is April 30. Filing your taxes late can still secure your OTB payment if eligible, though it may result in delayed disbursements.
Receiving the OTB with a Late Tax Filing
If you submit your tax return after the April 30 deadline, you can still receive the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), provided you meet the eligibility criteria. However, be aware that late filing may lead to a delay in the commencement of your payments. Filing as soon as possible is crucial to avoid any interruptions in receiving your benefits.
Scheduled Payment Dates for Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2024
The Ontario Trillium Benefit payments are disbursed monthly on the tenth. Below are the specific dates for 2024 when eligible Ontarians can expect to receive their OTB payments:
- January 10, 2024
- February 9, 2024
- March 8, 2024
- April 10, 2024
- May 10, 2024
- June 10, 2024
- July 10, 2024
- August 9, 2024
- September 10, 2024
- October 10, 2024
- November 8, 2024
- December 10, 2024
Eligibility for Partial OTB Payments
Even if you qualify for just one or two of the three Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) components, you will still receive an OTB payment. Eligibility for at least one of the three credits is sufficient to trigger the issuance of the OTB.
This ensures that eligible individuals and families receive the financial assistance they qualify for, regardless of their eligibility for all three components.
Determining the Amount of OTB Payment
The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment amount varies based on individual circumstances such as age, income, family size, and residence location. Maximum payment amounts are determined annually and depend on factors such as the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit.
To ascertain the specific payment amount you may receive, it is advisable to consult official guidelines or speak with a tax professional for personalized assistance.
