What is Canada PRO Deposit? (Ontario Trillium Benefit Explained)

If you recently checked your bank account and saw a deposit labelled as Canada PRO, you’ve likely received a payment from the CRA for Child and Family Benefits.

What is the Canada PRO Deposit?

It is the Ontario Trillium Benefit for Ontario Sales Tax Credit and Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit.

The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines the following three credits to help pay for energy costs as well as sales and property tax:

1. Northern Ontario Energy Credit
2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit

You need to be eligible for at least one of the three credits to receive the benefit.

Who is elible to receive Canada PRO deposits in 2022?

Let’s take a look at the three credits in more detail because the Canada PRO payment comes from these three credit programs:

1. Northern Ontario Energy Credit
2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit

Which one are you eligible for? Take a look below because each one has different requirements for eligibility. They also have different maximum credit amounts you can receive.

1. Northern Ontario Energy Credit

To be eligible for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, you must be a resident of Northern Ontario and at least one of the following must be true before June 1, 2022.

• 18 years of age or older
• have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner
• a parent who lives or previously lived with your child

And, in 2020, you:

• rented or paid property tax for your main residence
• lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs
• lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniors’ home) and you paid for a portion of your accommodation

How much could you receive in Northern Ontario Energy Credit?

If you’re single, you could receive up to $158. Families can receive up to $243.

2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit

To be eligible for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, you must be a resident of Northern Ontario and at least one of the following must be true before June 1, 2022.

• 18 years of age or older
• currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship
• a parent who lives or previously lived with your child

and, in 2020, you:

• rented or paid property tax for your main residence
• lived on a reserve and paid for your home energy costs
• lived in a public long-term care home (e.g., a seniors’ home) and paid an amount for your accommodation

How much could you receive in Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit Credit?

• You could get up to $1095 if you are aged between 18 and 64 years old.
• You could get up to $1247 if you are 65 years old or older.
• You could get up to $243 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term care home.
• You could get up to $25 for the time you lived in a designated college, university or private school residence in 2020.

3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit

To be eligible for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, at some time before June 1, 2022, you must be an Ontario resident and at least one of the following:

• 19 years of age or older
• currently or previously married or in a common-law relationship
• a parent who lives or previously lived with your child

How much could you receive in Ontario Sales Tax Credit?

Up to a maximum of $316. You may also receive an additional $316 for your spouse or common law partner, and each depenent child under the age of 19 on the 1st of the payment month.

*This credit does not affect your GST/HST credit payments.

How to get the Ontario Trillium Benefit

You can apply directly WHILE you file your annual taxes. Simply complete the ON-BEN Application Form and return it along with your annual taxes.

The CRA will review your application form and let you know if you are eligible to receive the credit, and how much you will receive.

What if I’m married?

If you are married or have a common-law partner, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit portion of the Ontario Trillium Benefit is paid to whoever’s return is assessed first.

To check how much you can receive in total, here’s a simple tax credit calculator for Ontario residents.

How do I receive the Canada PRO (Ontario Trillium Benefit) deposit?

If you qualify for over $360, you can choose to receive monthly payments starting July 2021, or you can choose to receive a single lump payment in June 2022. The amount will be same regardless of which option you choose. With the lump sum payment, you will have to wait another year.

If you qualify for less than $360, you will receive a single lump payment in July 2022.

If you qualify for over $2, but less than $10, you will receive $10.

If you qualify for under $2, you will not receive a payment.

The funds will be sent the same way you receive other tax credits: A cheque by mail or through direct bank deposit if you set it up in your CRA My Account.

Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Dates in 2022

1. January 10, 2022
2. February 10, 2022
3. March 10, 2022
4. April 8, 2022
5. May 10, 2022
6. June 10, 2022
7. July 8, 2022
8. August 10, 2022
9. September 9, 2022
10. October 7, 2022
11. November 10, 2022
12. December 9, 2022

What should I do with the funds?

Once you receive your Canada PRO deposit, you can spend it however you like. We recommend investing it using a trading platform like Questrade.

Wrapping Up

The Canada PRO Deposit you’re seeing in your bank statement means you’ve received tax credits from the Ontario Trillium Benefit. The Ontario Trillium Benefit consists of three credits that each have their own eligibility requirements and max credit amounts.

1. Northern Ontario Energy Credit
2. Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
3. Ontario Sales Tax Credit

Visit the CRA website for more information.