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When it comes to the Solidarity Tax Credit, there are also different components involved. This means that you could either qualify for all of the components are just select ones. Here’s a bit more information on how this tax credit works.
How The Tax Credit Works
This tax credit is for those with low or moderate income and is made up of three components. These components are:
- The Housing Component
- The QST Component
- Component for Individuals Living in Northern Villages
The Housing Component
In order to receive this component of the Solidarity Tax Credit, you have to either own or have been a tenant in an eligible dwelling on December 31 of the previous year. When you apply, you have to enter the dwelling number and the number of tenants that is written on your RL-31 slip. Your landlord should provide this slip to you.
If you own the dwelling, then instead of an RL-31 slip, you’re going to need your municipal tax bill instead. This tax bill will have your roll number or cadastral designation on it. This will have to be entered into the application instead. If you’re considered to be an eligible individual and meet the residency requirements then you’ll start receiving the credit.
The QST Component
QST also referred to as the Quebec Sales Tax, is a tax paid on certain purchases in Quebec. The idea of this component is to offset the tax you pay when you make these purchases. In order to be eligible for this component, you have to have lived alone in the previous calendar year (January 1 - December 31), If you lived with more than one person under the age of 18 then you’re still considered to have lived alone.
Component for Individuals Living in Northern Villages
In certain northern villages in Quebec, the cost of living is much higher than in other places. Individuals who live in these areas could be compensated for these increased costs of living. While there are more, here are the 14 northern villages that qualify for the component:
- Akulivik
- Aupaluk
- Ivujivik
- Kangirsuk
- Puvirnituq
- Tasiujaq
- Kangiqsualujjuaq
- Kuujjuaq
- Quaqtaq
- Umiujaq
- Inukjuak
- Kangiqsujuaq
- Kuujjuarapik
- Salluit
2025 Solidarity Tax Credit Payment Dates
Due to the fact that the Solidarity Tax Credit runs from June to July, here is the payment schedule from June 2025 to July 2026.
- July 4, 2025
- August 5, 2025
- September 5, 2025
- October 3, 2025
- November 5, 2025
- December 5, 2025
- January 5, 2026
- February 5, 2026
- March 5, 2026
- April 3, 2026
- May 5, 2026
- June 5, 2026
However, how much you earn from this credit will determine your payment frequency. For those whose amount is $240 or less, the amount will be paid out in July. Those who earn $241 to $799 annually will receive equal payments on a quarterly basis, meaning they will receive payments in July, October, January, and April.
Those who earn $800 or more annually will receive their payments on a monthly basis. No matter how much you receive, though, you have to be registered for direct deposit in order to receive the credit in your bank account. This program does not administer cheques.
Payment Amounts for the Tax Credit
When it comes to the Solidarity Tax Credit, there’s no definitive amount you can receive. With this credit, you can earn $800 or more per year. However, the factors used to determine this amount include:
- Where you live
- How much do you qualify for with the QST Component
- Where you lived as of December 31
If you’re looking to find out the exact amount that you qualify for, then the Revenu Quebec website has a Solidarity Tax Credit Estimator. This will determine an estimate of your combined payment.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for the Solidarity Tax Credit, you have to meet some criteria. These include:
- Being Quebec residents
- Being at least 18 years of age
- Being Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, temporary residents, or temporary residents permit holders living in Canada for at least 18 months.
- Filing annual income tax returns
You can qualify under the age of 18 if you’re married, have a child or are an emancipated minor. Keep in mind you have to have met all of these requirements before December 31 of the prior year.
Along with the above requirements, though, another important requirement that you have to meet is the annual income requirement based on your family situation. For those with a spouse, your income has to be below the threshold of $67,067.
For single parents and individuals without a spouse, your income must be below $61,500. For those with a spouse and single parents, you can also earn an additional income of $2,517 for each dependent child (you can have multiple dependents).
Keep in mind that this includes all income, like pensions, not just employment income. You don’t have to be employed to receive installments.
How To Claim the Solidarity Tax Credit
Claiming the Solidarity Tax Credit doesn’t happen by filling out an application. It’s done by submitting section D on your annual income tax return. Here, you enter all your information regarding the Solidarity Tax Credit. If you qualify, you’ll generally start receiving payments in July.
When it comes to the STC, you can claim for previous years as well but it’s important to know that you can only go back 4 years. You can do this by filing your tax return or editing it to include this credit.
The Solidarity Tax Credit and Owing Taxes
Since the STC is what is referred to as a refundable tax credit, you only receive it if the amount you qualify for ends up being more than what you owe. In this case, your credit will go towards what you owe, just like a refundable tax credit is designed for. For example, if your credit is $800 and you owe $1000, then you now only owe $200.
It’s important to note that in some cases, your STC payments can also be used to cover government debts. However, the amount you can keep and what is used to cover your government debt is based on your annual family income.
Other Assitance Payments Offered in Quebec
While there are different amounts that you can qualify for in Quebec, another popular benefit is the Family Allowance. This benefit is given to those in Quebec who have children. If these children were born in Quebec, then you’ll automatically qualify for these benefits when the birth certificate is filed.
Along with the basic benefit, you can also qualify for the Supplement for Handicapped Children if you have a child with a disability and the Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies. Each of these is an annual amount and can be broken up into quarterly or monthly payments. You do have to opt in to receive monthly payments since it’s not traditionally a monthly benefit.
Final Thoughts
In Canada, different provinces and territories offer different income tax credits that can help reduce the cost of overall expenses. In Quebec, this tax credit is known as the Solidarity Tax Credit. You can either qualify for one of these tax credits, two of them, or all three.
Like many other provincial tax credits, applying for this credit is done on your annual income tax return. Whether or not you qualify is based on your annual income and if you meet the other eligibility criteria. Based on these, it will be determined how much you qualify for and when you will receive those payments. If you aren’t sure if you qualify, though, you can always consult a tax professional.
