The Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) is specifically designed for the residents of the province of Ontario to cover energy costs, property taxes, and sales tax. The OTB is a merger of three different credits.
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit (OSTC)
Here you are given a detailed guide through understanding and managing your OTB benefits
Step 1 – Understanding Credits
Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)
- Single Person: Up to $180.
- Family of 4: Up to $277.
Additional amounts will apply if you qualify for more than one credit.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit:
- Ages 18-64: Up to $1,248.
- Ages 65+: Up to $1,421.
- Residents of Public Long-Term Care or Reserve: Up to $277.
- Residents of College, University, or Private School Residences: $25.
Note: No property taxes are required.
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
- Individual: Up to $360.
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Additional $360.
- Each Child Under 19: Additional $360.
Step 2: Payment Modes and Schedules
So, OTB payments, recorded as “Canada PRO Deposit” in your account, are paid out monthly. These are the payment dates for 2024:
- January 10
- February 9
- March 8
- April 10
- May 10
- June 10
- July 10
- August 9
- September 10
- October 10
- November 8
- December 10
Complete One Time Payment Instead of OTB as series of payments every month entire money can be put in July 2025.
Step 3: How to Apply for OTB To apply:
- File Your Tax Return: Fill out your income tax return along with benefit return even if you’re reporting no income.
- Attach the ON-BEN Application: Attach to your return this form.
- Deadline: Your last date for submission in filing your tax return is on April 30, 2025, if you wish to avoid delays.
- One Application Per Household: Should OTB apply to any one spouse.
Step 4: Notifications and Overpayment
OTB Notice The CRA notices for reasons like Income to Changes in benefit amounts Requests regarding updating your personal information Repayment because of overpayments General correspondence. Overpayment Repayments If you have overpaid,
- The CRA will then recover the amount in the manner of: Reducing payments against the future OTB. Recovery of Overpaid Amount Out of the Tax Refunds.
- Data: Tax Refunds and OTB – OTB benefits are non-taxable, although they generally do not render eligible for tax refunds. On the other hand, changes of any sort or errors on your returns may reflect on the computation for the future OTB.
Step 6: Additional Benefits available in Ontario
Apart from the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), there are various other tax credits available in Ontario:
- Low-Income Workers Tax Credit
- Reduces or eliminates provincial income tax in Ontario.
- Requirements are residency, employment, and income thresholds.
- Claimed in the Low-Income Individuals and Families Tax Credit (LIFT) section on your return.
Ontario Tax Reduction
Reduces or eliminates Ontario provincial tax and is given to an eligible family.
Claimable for children under 18 or dependants with impairments.
It’s filed using form ON428 with your tax return.
Ontario Child Benefit (OCB)
Pay out an amount up to $1,680 per year for each child.
Must qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in order to take his benefit.
Paid with CCB payments.
Step 7: Get at OTB Notices and Manage
OTB Notices Create a CRA My Account: OTB notices may be accessed and managed online. Call CRA: For questions, call 1-800-959-8281. Paper or Email correspondenc: Receive your preferred notification method from CRA.
Conclusion
Ontario Trillium Benefit is a very important benefit for many needy, eligible Ontarians. Knowing what credits are available and how to apply for them, as well as the payments, will give you a great chance of receiving maximum benefits.
For further assistance in completing your tax return or understanding your eligibility, consider contacting a tax professional to help you through the process. For further details, please refer to the CRA Website.