Hey 905 fam,
Tax season is here. And I need to tell you about money the Ontario government literally wants to give you — but won't unless you ask for it.
It's called the **Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)**. It's tax-free. It's up to **$1,685 per year**. And if you rent or own in the 905 and your household income is low to moderate, you almost certainly qualify.
The catch? You have to file your taxes AND complete one specific form. Skip either step, and you get nothing. No letter. No reminder. Just silence.
Here's the plain English version of everything you need to know.
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## 💰 WHAT IS IT?
The Ontario Trillium Benefit bundles three separate credits into one monthly payment:
**1. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit** — the big one
- Up to **$1,307/year** (ages 18-64)
- Up to **$1,488/year** (ages 65+)
- Covers property tax AND energy costs
**2. Ontario Sales Tax Credit**
- Up to **$378/year per person**
- Offsets the HST you pay on everything
**3. Northern Ontario Energy Credit**
- Only for Northern Ontario — doesn't apply to us in the 905
**Combined, a single person can receive up to $1,685/year. Couples can get more.**
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## ✅ AM I ELIGIBLE?
If you can check ANY of these boxes, you likely qualify:
**For the Energy & Property Tax Credit (the big one):**
- ☐ You're 18+ and an Ontario resident
- ☐ You paid rent in 2025 (apartment, house, basement — if your landlord pays property tax, you qualify)
- ☐ You paid property tax on your home in 2025
- ☐ You lived in a long-term care home
**For the Sales Tax Credit:**
- ☐ You're 19+ and an Ontario resident
That's it. **If you rent an apartment in Pickering and earn $40,000 — you qualify.**
If you rent a basement in Ajax — you qualify.
If you're a single parent in Oshawa — you almost definitely qualify.
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## 📝 HOW DO I GET IT? (3 Steps)
**Step 1: File your income tax return.**
Even if you earned $0 in 2025. Even if you have no income to report. **FILE ANYWAY.**
This is the #1 reason people miss benefits. No tax return filed = CRA doesn't know you exist = no money.
Wealthsimple Tax is free. TurboTax has a free tier. The library has free tax clinics. There is no excuse.
**Step 2: Complete Form ON-BEN.**
This is the form that tells CRA "yes, I want the Trillium Benefit." It's part of the Ontario tax package. If you file online, the software will prompt you — just don't skip it.
Key questions it asks:
- Did you pay rent? Check yes.
- Did you pay property tax? Check yes.
- Your rent/property tax amount.
That's basically it.
**Step 3: Wait.**
Payments start in **July 2026** and come monthly on the 10th. Or you can choose one lump sum in July.
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## 🏠 "I RENT — DO I QUALIFY?"
**YES.** This is the most common misconception. You don't need to own property.
If your landlord pays property tax on the building you live in (and virtually all of them do), you qualify for the Energy and Property Tax Credit. You don't need your landlord's property tax amount. You don't need their permission. Just check the box that says you paid rent and enter your total rent for the year.
Apartment. Condo rental. Basement apartment. Rented house. All count.
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## 📊 THE MATH
Here's what typical 905 families might receive:
| Situation | Estimated Annual OTB |
|---|---|
| Single renter, $35K income | $800 - $1,200 |
| Single renter, $25K income | $1,100 - $1,500 |
| Couple, one income, $50K, renting | $900 - $1,400 |
| Senior, $22K income, renting | $1,200 - $1,685 |
| Single parent, $30K, renting | $1,000 - $1,500 |
These are estimates — your actual amount depends on your specific numbers. But the point is: **this is real money. Hundreds to over a thousand dollars a year.**
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## ⏪ MISSED PREVIOUS YEARS? YOU CAN CLAIM BACK.
Here's something most people don't know: **you can request reassessment for up to 10 previous tax years.**
If you haven't been filing — or if you filed but never completed Form ON-BEN — you could be owed YEARS of unclaimed benefits.
That's potentially $5,000 to $15,000+ sitting there waiting for you.
Call the CRA at **1-800-959-8281** or ask your tax preparer to file adjustments for prior years.
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## ❓ COMMON QUESTIONS
**I live with my parents — do I qualify?**
If you're 18+ and pay rent to your parents, potentially yes for the property tax credit. Either way, you likely qualify for the Sales Tax Credit ($378/year).
**My spouse and I both work — do we qualify?**
Maybe. The benefit reduces as income increases. At combined household income above ~$50K, the property tax credit starts shrinking. But the Sales Tax Credit kicks in separately. File and let the software calculate it.
**I'm on social assistance — do I still qualify?**
Yes. OTB is separate from OW/ODSP and doesn't affect your social assistance. It's on top of what you already receive.
**When do payments come?**
Monthly on the 10th, starting July 2026 (for the 2025 tax year). If the 10th is a weekend or holiday, you get paid the business day before.
**Can I get it as one lump sum?**
Yes — if your total annual amount is under $360, CRA pays it as one lump sum in July. If it's over $360, you can request a lump sum, but monthly is the default.
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## 🎯 YOUR ACTION ITEMS THIS WEEK
- [ ] **Haven't filed your 2025 taxes yet?** Do it this week. Wealthsimple Tax (free) or book a free tax clinic at your local library.
- [ ] **Already filed but skipped Form ON-BEN?** File an adjustment — call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 or use My Account on canada.ca.
- [ ] **Haven't filed in previous years?** File those returns too. You could be owed thousands.
- [ ] **Know someone who doesn't file taxes because "I don't owe anything"?** Send them this article. That's exactly the person missing out.
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## THE BOTTOM LINE
The Ontario Trillium Benefit exists. It's your money. It's designed for families exactly like ours in the 905.
But the government doesn't chase you down to give it to you. You have to file your taxes and check a box.
20 minutes on Wealthsimple Tax could put $1,685 back in your pocket this year — and potentially thousands more if you catch up on previous years.
Don't leave it on the table.
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*Know someone who hasn't filed their taxes yet? Forward this — they'll thank you in July when the first payment hits.*
*Got a question about the Trillium Benefit? Reply to this email. We read everything.*
Until next time,
**The 905 Saver** 🌸
*Saving Durham Region families real money, every week.*
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