If you spent New Year’s Day checking your bank account for a massive deposit from the CRA, you aren’t alone—and you likely ended the day disappointed.
A wave of viral misinformation is currently sweeping Canadian social media, claiming that the government has “fast-tracked” the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) to January 1, 2026, with lump-sum payments of up to $1,120.
This is false.
There was no “New Year’s Gift” from the CRA. However, there is a real payment coming very soon. Here is the definitive fact-check on the January 2026 rebate, the real dollar amounts, and the dangerous text message scam targeting confused Canadians right now.
Myth 1: “The Payment Was Sent on January 1st”
The Reality: The official payment date is January 15, 2026.
The rumor of a January 1st payment appears to be a mix of clickbait and confusion. The CRA never issues benefit payments on statutory holidays. According to the official CRA Benefit Payment Dates, the Canada Carbon Rebate remains on its standard quarterly schedule:
- January 15, 2026
- April 15, 2026
- July 15, 2026
- October 15, 2026
If you have direct deposit, you will see the funds on the morning of the 15th. If you rely on paper cheques, allow up to 10 business days for mail delivery.
Myth 2: “Everyone is Getting $1,120”
The Reality: The $1,120 figure circulating online is the annual maximum for a family of four in Alberta, not a single quarterly cheque.
If you receive a cheque for $1,120 this month, it likely means you are catching up on missed payments from the entire year. For most Canadians, the January 15 payment will be one-quarter of their annual entitlement.
Estimated Quarterly Amounts (Family of 4):
Note: Amounts vary based on the specific fuel charge rates in your province for the 2025-2026 year.
- Alberta: ~$337 (Quarterly portion of the annual total)
- Saskatchewan: ~$376
- Manitoba: ~$290
- Ontario: ~$244
- Atlantic Canada: Varies by province (NB, NS, PEI, NL).
The Real Danger: The “Text Message” Scam
The confusion over the January 1st date has created a goldmine for scammers.
Police services and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are warning of a spike in phishing text messages. These messages often say:
“CRA ALERT: Your Carbon Rebate of $1,120 was pending on Jan 1. Click here to accept the deposit.”
Do not click the link.
- The CRA never sends rebates by e-transfer.
- The CRA never asks you to click a link to “accept” a payment.
- The CRA never sends text messages with dollar amounts.
If you are eligible, the money will appear in your account automatically on January 15. You do not need to do anything to “claim” it.
Action Plan: How to Check Your Status
If you want to know exactly how much you are getting before the 15th, you can check the source directly:
- Log in to your CRA My Account.
- Click on the “Benefits and Credits” tab.
- Look for the “Canada Carbon Rebate” section. It will list your exact payment date and amount.
The Bottom Line: Ignore the viral headlines about “Bonus Checks” and “New Year’s Gifts.” The system is working exactly as usual. Mark your calendar for January 15, delete the scam texts, and wait for the deposit.