The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is pleased to announce that on April 1, 2026, the fee rebate for eligible small grocers is increasing to $2,750, reducing the licence fee to $500 per year until 2030. This change is part of the AGCO's commitment to fostering industry sustainability and innovation by providing supports and flexibility for small businesses.
Eligibility
The fee rebate will continue to apply to Grocery Store Licences issued on or after June 17, 2024, where the sum of the annual worldwide revenue of the store, together with all related retail stores is less than $1 billion (CAD).
Rebate details
The rebate for small grocers is increasing to $2,750 annually from the previous $2,250 announced on July 14, 2024, beginning April 1, 2026.
Application process: All applicants for a Grocery Store Licence must pay the full $3,250 annual fee at the time of application. Once your licence is issued, if you are a small grocer, you may then submit a “Small Grocer Fee Rebate Request” through the iAGCO portal. If you are eligible for the rebate, your licence fee will be partially refunded. Rebates will be issued upon confirmation of eligibility that demonstrates the grocery store's total annual worldwide revenue (together with all related retail stores) is less than $1 billion (CAD).
The rebate application only needs to be submitted one-time, per licence. If a licensee holds more than one Grocery Store Licence, a separate request must be submitted for each licence.
No action is required from licensees who have already applied for the rebate. You will see the new rebate amount at your next renewal after April 1, 2026.
Contact and support
For more information about the upcoming rebate, please contact AGCO Customer Service via the iAGCO online portal or call Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 416-326-8700 or toll-free at 1-800-522-2876.