Canadians Risk Losing Up to $1,800 in Unclaimed Carbon Rebate Payments
Households that have not filed 2021-2024 tax returns could forfeit up to $1,800 per family unless they claim before a proposed Oct. 30 2026 deadline.
Prime Minister Mark Carney discontinued the federal fuel charge and the Canada Carbon Rebate, but the program continues to allow retroactive payments for families that have not filed tax returns for the 2021-2024 periods. Eligible amounts vary by province, reaching as much as $1,800 annually for a family of four in Alberta, with lower figures elsewhere. Budget 2025 introduced a proposal setting Oct. 30 2026 as the final deadline for filing past returns to qualify for the rebate, a provision contained in Bill C-31 that is currently before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance.
Those already current on their taxes have received their payments; anyone with missing returns should log into CRA My Account, submit the outstanding years, and wait for assessment before the rebate is deposited. A rural top-up was increased to 20 % in 2024. If the deadline passes without the bill becoming law, unclaimed rebates may be lost.
Why it matters
Missing tax filings could cost eligible Canadians thousands of dollars in refundable climate rebates.
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