Service Canada is warning Guaranteed Income Supplement recipients that their payments may stop or be reduced if they have not filed their 2025 tax returns.
The warning appears on the federal government’s updated Guaranteed Income Supplement page, dated September 25, 2026.
The page tells recipients who have not yet filed with the Canada Revenue Agency to file as soon as possible to avoid an interruption.
Table of Contents
Guaranteed Income Supplement: Why filing a tax return affects GIS payments
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly, tax-free payment for eligible Old Age Security recipients with low income.
Service Canada reviews eligibility and payment amounts each year using income information from a federal tax return.
That means a person may need to file a tax return even if they do not expect to owe income tax.
The Canada Revenue Agency lists GIS among the benefits that require a tax return to be filed to begin or continue receiving payments.
For most people, the deadline to file the 2025 return was April 30, 2026.
Self-employed people generally had until June 15, 2026 to file, although any balance owing was due by April 30.
What GIS recipients should do now
Recipients who have not filed their 2025 return should submit it to the CRA as soon as possible.
Filing allows the government to obtain the income information needed to review continued GIS eligibility.
Service Canada also says recipients can report their income directly to the department to renew or confirm their eligibility.
This option may be useful for someone who has difficulty filing immediately or needs to provide updated income information after a change in circumstances.
If a recipient’s income has fallen because of retirement or because another pension was reduced or stopped, Service Canada says the GIS amount may be set using an estimate of current-year income instead of the previous year’s income.
Recipients should contact Service Canada if their income or family situation changes, as explained in its guidance for people receiving GIS.
How much GIS is available
The updated federal page lists maximum monthly GIS amounts that vary according to marital status and whether a spouse or common-law partner receives OAS or the Allowance.
| Household situation | Maximum monthly GIS listed |
|---|---|
| Single, widowed or divorced | Up to $1,123.17 |
| Spouse or common-law partner receives full OAS | Up to $676.09 |
| Spouse or common-law partner receives the Allowance | Up to $676.09 |
| Spouse or common-law partner does not receive OAS or the Allowance | Up to $1,123.17 |
The actual amount depends on factors including income, marital status and the applicable payment period.
The figures above are the maximum amounts displayed on the Service Canada page.
When the next payment is scheduled
The federal benefits calendar lists October 28, 2026, as the next payment date for Old Age Security benefits, including GIS.
Payments can take several days to arrive, depending on the recipient’s bank or delivery method.
Recipients who do not receive an expected payment should contact Service Canada promptly.
The department’s guidance says people should be ready to provide their Social Insurance Number, their income information from the previous year and, where applicable, their spouse’s or common-law partner’s income information.
Direct deposit is now available through MSCA
Service Canada’s updated GIS page also says recipients can now sign up for direct deposit through My Service Canada Account.
After activating notifications and alerts by telephone or at a Service Canada location, recipients can sign in to MSCA, open the OAS dashboard, select “Profile” and choose “Manage my payment destination.”
The change gives recipients another way to manage banking information for their OAS and GIS payments.
It does not remove the requirement to file a tax return or provide income information needed to confirm GIS eligibility.
What happens after a late return is filed
Filing a late return does not necessarily mean a recipient permanently loses GIS.
However, Service Canada may need time to receive or process the information before payments are renewed or recalculated.
Recipients facing an interruption should contact the department rather than assume the payment will restart automatically.
The federal government says benefit calculations rely on tax-return information and that late filing can lead to delayed payments while an account is reviewed.
For recipients who are married or in a common-law relationship, both partners may need to file their returns because household income is used in benefit calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can GIS payments stop if I have not filed my 2025 tax return?
Yes. Service Canada says GIS payments may stop or be reduced if the 2025 return has not been filed with the CRA.
What should I do if I have not filed my 2025 tax return?
File the return with the CRA as soon as possible. You can also contact Service Canada to report income directly and renew or confirm your eligibility.
Do I have to file if I do not owe tax?
You may still need to file because GIS eligibility and payment amounts are reviewed using tax-return information.
When is the next GIS payment date?
The next scheduled Old Age Security and GIS payment date is October 28, 2026.
Can I change my direct-deposit information online?
Yes. Service Canada says direct-deposit management is now available in My Service Canada Account after the required account activation steps.
Fact-Checked: Key payment, filing and eligibility details were checked against current Service Canada and Canada Revenue Agency information.
Disclaimer: Payment amounts and eligibility can vary by income, marital status and individual circumstances; recipients should contact Service Canada for account-specific assistance.