Who Handles This
In Ontario, a senior renting out a room in their own home deals with two federal bodies: the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax filing, and Service Canada for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
This article only restates what Canadian government pages say about reporting rental income and GIS eligibility. Specific amounts, thresholds, and deadlines not stated in the source material are not listed here.
What GIS Is
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly, tax-free payment available to people 65 or older who qualify.
The official page states that to qualify for GIS, you must also qualify for OAS.
In most cases, Service Canada will automatically enroll you if it has your eligibility information, and will inform you by mail. The official page states that if it has been one month since your 64th birthday and you have not received an enrollment letter, you may need to apply.
GIS Payment Amounts Listed by the Official Page
The official page lists maximum monthly amounts by situation:
- Single, widowed, or divorced: up to $1,138.90/month
- Spouse/common-law partner receives full OAS: up to $685.56/month
- Spouse/common-law partner receives Allowance: up to $685.56/month
- Spouse/common-law partner does not receive OAS or Allowance: up to $1,138.90/month
These are the amounts listed on the official page. Actual payments are determined by Service Canada.
Filing Taxes and GIS
The official page states that if you have not filed your 2025 taxes with the CRA, your GIS payments may stop or be reduced. To avoid interruptions, the official page states you should file your taxes as soon as possible.
The official page also states that you can report your income directly to Service Canada to renew or confirm your eligibility.
If you have questions about your GIS payments, the official page states you can contact Service Canada.
How Rental Income Is Treated
The source material provided does not specify how rental income itself is reported or whether it counts toward GIS eligibility calculations.
The official page only states that GIS eligibility is tied to OAS eligibility, and that you must maintain GIS payments by filing taxes or reporting income directly to Service Canada. Rental income is a type of income that must be reported to the CRA. For how to report it and whether it affects GIS amounts, refer to official CRA and Service Canada guidance.
Where to Apply and Check
The official page lists the following online services:
- Sign in or register for My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to access GIS benefits and services
- OAS information is available in MSCA
The official page also lists related benefits, including the OAS pension, Allowance, Allowance for the survivor, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and CPP Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB).
The official page states that you can apply for OAS if you are 65 or older, even if you have never worked or are still working.
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