No tax return = no GIS?

No tax return can mean a delay, reduction, or interruption in GIS payments. Service Canada reviews Guaranteed Income Supplement eligibility each year, normally using income reported on your federal tax return.

File your return by April 30—even if you had no income or do not owe tax. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they should file too because combined income is normally used to calculate GIS for couples.

If you have not filed, do it as soon as possible. Service Canada says you can also report your income directly to renew or confirm your eligibility. If a July payment is missing or your benefit changed unexpectedly, contact Service Canada promptly and have your Social Insurance Number plus last year's income information ready. Filing late does not necessarily mean you permanently lose GIS, but payments may be disrupted while your income and eligibility are confirmed.