Canada Carbon Rebate: What’s changed and how to make sure you still get what you’re owed in 2026.

The Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR), formerly the Climate Action Incentive Payment, has officially wrapped up its quarterly deposits. While the final new payment was issued in April 2025, many Canadians are still eligible for thousands of dollars in retroactive money.
 

If you missed filing your tax returns for 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024, you haven't lost that money yet – but you must act now to claim it.

Quick summary: What you need to know in 2026.

• New payments have stopped: No new quarterly deposits are being issued in 2026.

• Retroactive claims are open: You can still receive payments for the 2021–2024 tax years.

• Filing is the trigger: The CRA will only assess your eligibility and release funds once you file your outstanding returns.

What changed with the Canada Carbon Rebate?
Navigating the transition of this program can be confusing. Here’s the timeline of changes leading into 2026:

• The name change (2024): The program moved away from "Climate Action Incentive Payment" (CAIP) to the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) to make it clearer what the payment represented.

• The program end (2025): Following changes to federal fuel charge policies, the quarterly CCR for individuals ended. The final payment was issued in April 2025.

• Rural supplement increase: In 2024, the top-up for residents in small or rural communities doubled from 10% to 20% (except in PEI, where it was already built into the base amount).

• The "catch-up" window: Even though the program is over, the CRA continues to pay out missed amounts for the 2021–2024 period for those who file late – but you must file those missing tax returns in 2026 to get your retroactive payments. 

How much could you still be owed?
Your total retroactive payment depends on your province of residence and family size during the eligible years. Below are the historical amounts for 2021–2024 to help you estimate what you might be missing.

Historical Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) & Climate Action Incentive (CAI) amounts (2021–2024).
To estimate your retroactive payment, locate your province and the tax year you missed.

Important note: In 2021, the rebate was a refundable credit claimed directly on your tax return (CAI). Starting in 2022, it shifted to the quarterly payment system (CAIP/CCR) you recognize today.

Annual base amounts for a single adult.

**2021–22 amounts were claimed as a credit on your tax return.
**Atlantic provinces joined the federal program mid-year in 2023; these totals reflect the adjusted periods.
**PEI’s base amount includes the rural supplement. For all other provinces, add 20% to these totals if you lived in an eligible rural area in 2024 (10% for years 2021–2023).

Annual base amounts for a family of four.

**PEI’s base amount includes the rural supplement. For all other provinces, add 20% to these totals if you lived in an eligible rural area in 2024 (10% for years 2021–2023).

3 steps to get your money now.
Don’t leave money on the table. If you have unfiled taxes from the last four years, here’s exactly how to catch up – no matter how you choose to file.

1. Gather your slips (2021–2024).
Collect all T4s and supporting documents for each unfiled year. If you’re not sure what you need, check out our handy tax checklist. 

• If filing with an H&R Block Tax Expert: Bring your slips to your appointment (in-person, drop-off, or remotely). Your Tax Expert will organize everything for each year.

• If using H&R Block Tax Software: Upload or enter your slips year by year. The software walks you through each return, so nothing is missed.

2. Claim the Rural Supplement (if eligible).
If you lived outside a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), you can add a 10-20% top up to your rebate.

• With a Tax Expert: Just tell your Tax Expert where you lived during each tax year, they’ll check eligibility and ensure the rural box is selected on your return.

• In H&R Block Tax Software: When the software asks about your address and rural eligibility, simply answer the prompts. It’ll automatically apply the rural supplement if you qualify.

3. File electronically for the fastest payout.
Electronic filing is the quickest way for CRA to assess your returns, and for you to receive payments. Most retroactive credits arrive by direct deposit within weeks of assessment.

• With a Tax Expert: Your return is submitted electronically to CRA as soon as you approve it.

• Using H&R Block Tax Software: File each year’s return through NETFILE when prompted; the software sends everything securely to CRA.
   

Pro tip: Log into your CRA My Account and check the “Payments” section. You might find uncashed cheques or benefit payments marked as “issued” for years you missed.