Key Takeaway Box
- The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) is a tax-free payment that helps low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes.
- You can apply for the OEPTC on your income tax and benefit return by filling out Form ON-BEN.
- You may be eligible for the OEPTC if you are a resident of Ontario on December 31 of the previous year, and you paid rent, property tax, or home energy costs for your principal residence in Ontario.
- The amount of OEPTC you can get depends on your income, your age, your marital status, and whether you have a spouse or common-law partner or dependent children.
- The OEPTC is usually paid monthly as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit, along with the Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.
What is the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)?
The OEPTC is a tax-free payment that helps low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes. The OEPTC is designed to provide relief for the higher costs of living in Ontario, especially for those who spend a large portion of their income on housing and utilities.
The OEPTC is one of the three components of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB), which also includes the Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit. The OTB is a single payment that combines these three credits and is usually paid monthly from July to June of the following year. However, you can choose to receive your OTB in one lump-sum payment in June if you prefer.
Who to Get Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?
To get the OEPTC, you need to apply for it on your income tax and benefit return by filling out Form ON-BEN, Application for the 2023 Ontario Trillium Benefit and the Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant. You can find this form in the forms book that comes with your tax package, or you can download it from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website¹.
You need to file your income tax and benefit return by April 30 of the following year to get your OTB payments starting in July. If you file your return after this date, your payments may be delayed or reduced.
Who Qualifies for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?
You may be eligible for the OEPTC if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You are a resident of Ontario on December 31 of the previous year.
- You are 18 years of age or older, or you have or previously had a spouse or common-law partner, or you are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child.
- You paid rent, property tax, or home energy costs for your principal residence in Ontario. Your principal residence is the place where you usually live and make your home. It can be a house, an apartment, a condominium, a mobile home, a co-operative housing unit, or a rooming house.
- You meet the income requirements for the OEPTC. The income requirements vary depending on your age, your marital status, and whether you have a spouse or common-law partner or dependent children. The table below shows the maximum income you can have to qualify for the OEPTC for the 2023 benefit year.
| Your family situation | Maximum income |
| Single | $25,000 |
| Single with one child | $30,000 |
| Single with two or more children | $35,000 |
| Married or common-law | $30,000 |
| Married or common-law with one child | $35,000 |
| Married or common-law with two or more children | $40,000 |
How to Apply for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?
To apply for the OEPTC, you need to fill out Form ON-BEN and attach it to your income tax and benefit return. On Form ON-BEN, you need to provide information about your rent, property tax, or home energy costs paid for your principal residence in Ontario. You also need to indicate if you are a senior, if you have a spouse or common-law partner, and if you have any dependent children.
You do not need to send any receipts or documents to support your claim, but you should keep them in case the CRA asks you to verify your information.
The CRA will calculate the amount of OEPTC you are entitled to based on the information you provide on Form ON-BEN and your income tax and benefit return. The CRA will also send you a notice of determination that shows how your OEPTC amount was calculated and when you will receive your payments.
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How Much is the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit?
The amount of OEPTC you can get depends on your income, your age, your marital status, and whether you have a spouse or common-law partner or dependent children. The table below shows the maximum OEPTC amounts for the 2023 benefit year.
| Your family situation | Maximum OEPTC amount |
| Single | $1,085 |
| Single with one child | $1,185 |
| Single with two or more children | $1,285 |
| Married or common-law | $1,085 |
| Married or common-law with one child | $1,185 |
| Married or common-law with two or more children | $1,285 |
The OEPTC amounts are reduced by 2% of your adjusted net income over the income thresholds shown in the table below.
| Your family situation | Income threshold |
| Single | $25,000 |
| Single with one child | $30,000 |
| Single with two or more children | $35,000 |
| Married or common-law | $30,000 |
| Married or common-law with one child | $35,000 |
| Married or common-law with two or more children | $40,000 |
Your adjusted net income is your net income (line 23600 of your income tax and benefit return) plus any universal child care benefit (UCCB) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income that you or your spouse or common-law partner reported on your return. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, your adjusted net income is the combined amount of both of your incomes.
For example, if you are single and your adjusted net income for 2022 is $27,000, your OEPTC amount for the 2023 benefit year will be:
$1,085 – [($27,000 – $25,000) x 0.02] = $1,045
If you are married or common-law and your combined adjusted net income for 2022 is $32,000, your OEPTC amount for the 2023 benefit year will be:
$1,085 – [($32,000 – $30,000) x 0.02] = $1,045
Conclusion
The OEPTC is a tax-free payment that helps low- to moderate-income Ontario residents with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes. You can apply for the OEPTC on your income tax and benefit return by filling out Form ON-BEN. You may be eligible for the OEPTC if you are a resident of Ontario on December 31 of the previous year, and you paid rent, property tax, or home energy costs for your principal residence in Ontario. The amount of OEPTC you can get depends on your income, your age, your marital status, and whether you have a spouse or common-law partner or dependent children. The OEPTC is usually paid monthly as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit, along with the Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.
If you want to learn more about the OEPTC and the OTB, you can visit the following websites:
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