Recently, rumors have been circulating that the Canada Revenue Agency will issue a one-time payment of $680 for Canadians earning lower-to-moderate income. If you are wondering whether this payment is real or fake, you can get clarification here.
CRA $680 One-Time Payment
Many social media posts or third-party websites are claiming that the CRA will provide an automatic one-time payment of $680 to Canadians who have filed a tax return and earn a lower to moderate income.
The rumors claimed it will provide financial relief to Canadians struggling with the increasing living expenses before the fall hits. Since it is all over the internet, many are speculating whether it is real or fake, as digital scams related to the benefits are becoming common.
Now, to clear your confusion, there is no official announcement or confirmation from CRA about $680 one-time payment; instead, we have found CRA warning about not introducing any such payment. To make you understand better, you can check the rumor claims and fact-check below:
| Rumors | Fact-check |
| $680 One-time payment by CRA | No official announcement of such payment |
| Payment will be processed by 25 September 2025 | No payment up till now |
| Many are confusing it with the GST/HST credit | But none of the GST/HST credit is $680; instead, we have $698 for married couples. |
What precautions should you take with such payments?
With online rumors and fraudulent activities booming, it’s important to keep your identity and financial information protected. Here are some precautionary steps that you should keep in mind if you ever come across any such scam:
- If you receive any message, text, or call saying they are from CRA, you should not immediately share your information with them, as it can be scammers impersonating CRA officials because CRA will never ask you to share your information.
- You should always check the official website of Service Canada or their channels first if you come across any such news of the new payment from the government.
- You should never engage with such news and share your financial information because generally, such one-time payments are processed automatically.
- If you encounter a social media post or receive a call, text, or email about suspicious activities, report it to the CRA immediately so the agency can take swift action against such sources, and other recipients will also stay protected.
Where to report the CRA $680 payment scam?
When you find any post or third-party website, or receive an email or call, encouraging the news of a fake $680 one-time payment, you can report the suspicious scam in the following ways:
- By submitting the lead to the Leads Program and reporting it to the CRA, the agency will investigate the matter and take appropriate action to deal with such activities.
- Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center if you find anything suspicious, and they will investigate the matter.
- If you suspect personal identity theft when you share some information or interact with scammers, you can inform the CRA by submitting the web form at the CRA account or calling the IVR System at 1800-265-2577.
What are the upcoming CRA benefits that you could look forward to?
If you are struggling with the rising cost of living and looking for federal or provincial assistance, you can find other benefits processed by the CRA to support Canadians. In October 2025, the CRA will process the following benefits that you can check out, and if you are eligible, you can apply for them:
- GST/HST Credit up to $698
- Canada Child Benefit up to $666.41 a month
- Ontario Trillium Benefit up to $1461 for seniors
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit up to $1499
- Canada Disability Benefit up to $200 per month
- Canada Pension Plan up to $1433 a month
- Workers’ Benefits up to $1590
- Old Age Security up to $808.
If you find yourself eligible for any of the benefits, you can apply and receive the benefit from the CRA regularly, based on the benefit program.
The Canadian government has not made any official announcement for the one-time payment of $680. Before you believe any sources, always cross-check with Services Canada or check your CRA account for any upcoming payments, but never share your information because it can cost you a lot, such as identity theft and unauthorized transactions.
Disclaimer: The CRA $680 one-time payment update is shared for informational use only. Actual payment decisions and eligibility are determined solely by the Canada Revenue Agency.
