Is GIS Taxable? What You Need To Know

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The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly benefit paid to recipients of the Old Age Security (OAS) pension whose income falls below specific thresholds.

GIS income is not taxable. Learn about GIS eligibility, amounts, tax-free status, and how to avoid GIS clawback below.

Is GIS Taxable?

Unlike the OAS and CPP, GIS benefits are not taxable (i.e. it is tax-free).

That said, you should file an income tax return annually and include GIS payments. Your tax return determines your eligibility for government benefits each year.

What is GIS?

The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly add-on to the OAS pension, the second pillar of retirement income in Canada.

To be eligible for it, seniors have to be 65 years of age or older, live in Canada, and qualify for the OAS pension.

In addition, GIS is an income-tested benefit, and beneficiaries must have a low income based on numbers published every quarter in January, April, July, and October.

GIS Amounts for 2024

How much money can you get from GIS?

In 2023, you could receive $1,057.01 per month if you are a single, widowed, or divorced senior with an annual income of less than $21,456.

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, the maximum monthly payments vary as follows:

ScenariosMaximum GIS/MonthYour Annual Income + Spouse/Partner
Spouse/partner receives full OAS pension$636.26Less than $28,320
Spouse/partner does not receive OAS pension$1,057.01Less than $51,408
Spouse/partner receives the Allowance$636.26Less than $39,648

Two other benefits available as part of GIS are:

  • Allowance
  • Allowance for the Survivor

The Allowance is paid to the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient if they meet the eligibility criteria (i.e. age 60-64, Canadian resident, and low income).

The maximum Allowance amount in 2023 is $1,343.94 (if the maximum income of the couple is less than $39,648)

The Allowance for the Survivor benefit is paid to eligible seniors between the ages of 60 and 64 who have a low income and have lost their spouse or common-law partner.

The maximum Allowance for the Survivor amount is $1,602.07 (annual income less than $28,872).

Both the Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor benefits are non-taxable.

Note that the numbers above reflect the amounts being paid in the October to December 2023 quarter.

How To Apply For GIS

If you are not automatically enrolled for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you may have to apply.

The two options are:

  1. Apply online through your My Service Canada Account.
  2. Apply using a paper application and mail it or bring it to a Service Canada office.

The application forms are ISP-3550 (for both OAS and GIS) or ISP-3025 (for GIS only).

You can also contact Service Canada by phone at 1-800-277-9914 or 1-800-255-4786 (TTY).

How To Minimize GIS Clawback

As your income increases, the GIS benefit you qualify for decreases until it reaches zero.

The Feds recently made it easier to keep more of the GIS by raising the amount of employment or self-employment income you can earn before GIS is reduced (now $5,000/previously $3,500).

You can also lower the taxable income that counts towards GIS eligibility by investing in a TFSA.

Funds withdrawn from a TFSA account are tax-free and do not affect your eligibility for benefits.

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Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

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