Tax Deadline 2026
If you are filing close to a deadline, use NETFILE vs paper filing to choose the fastest submission path. For balances owing, use how to pay CRA online or how to set up a CRA payment plan.
The Canadian tax deadline for the 2025 tax year is April 30, 2026.
| Situation | Filing Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Most Canadians | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Self-employed | June 15, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Deceased (died Jan-Oct) | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Deceased (died Nov-Dec) | 6 months after death | 6 months after death |
Key Tax Dates 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2026 | Tax software opens for 2025 returns |
| March 2, 2026 | RRSP contribution deadline for 2025 |
| March 31, 2026 | T3 slips due (trust income) |
| April 30, 2026 | Tax filing deadline |
| April 30, 2026 | Tax payment deadline |
| June 15, 2026 | Self-employed filing deadline |
Late Filing Penalties
If you owe taxes and file late, you will be charged:
| Penalty | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial late filing penalty | 5% of balance owing |
| Each month late (up to 12) | +1% per month |
| Maximum late filing penalty | 17% of balance owing |
| Repeat offenders | 10% + 2% per month (max 20 months) |
Example: Late Filing Cost
| Balance Owing | 1 Month Late | 3 Months Late | 6 Months Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $60 | $80 | $110 |
| $5,000 | $300 | $400 | $550 |
| $10,000 | $600 | $800 | $1,100 |
Interest also accrues on unpaid taxes at the CRA prescribed rate (currently ~9%).
No Penalty If You’re Owed a Refund
If you’re owed a tax refund, there’s no penalty for filing late. However:
- You should still file to receive your refund
- You have up to 10 years to claim a refund
- Benefits like GST/HST credit and CCB require a filed return
Self-Employed Filing
If you or your spouse/partner are self-employed, you have until June 15, 2026 to file. However, any taxes owed must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.
Self-employed income includes:
- Freelance or contract work
- Business income
- Commission income (if not an employee)
- Professional income (doctors, lawyers, accountants)
How to File Your Taxes
Option 1: NETFILE (Free)
File directly through CRA-certified tax software. Free options include:
- Wealthsimple Tax (free for all)
- TurboTax Free (simple returns)
- H&R Block Free (simple returns)
Option 2: Tax Professional
Hire an accountant or tax preparer. Typical costs:
- Simple return: $50–$150
- Self-employed: $150–$400
- Complex situations: $300–$1,000+
Option 3: Community Volunteer
Free tax clinics help low-income Canadians. Find one at canada.ca/taxes-help.
Documents to Gather
Employment Income
- T4 – Employment income
- T4A – Other income, pensions, annuities
- T4E – Employment Insurance
- T4RSP – RRSP income
Investment Income
- T5 – Investment income
- T3 – Trust income
- T5008 – Securities transactions
Deductions & Credits
- RRSP contribution receipts
- Charitable donation receipts
- Medical expense receipts
- Childcare expense receipts
- Moving expense receipts
- Union dues receipts
- Professional fees receipts
Tips for Filing
- File early – Avoid the deadline rush and get your refund sooner
- Use direct deposit – Refunds arrive in 8 days vs 8 weeks by mail
- Keep records – Store tax documents for 6 years
- Maximize deductions – Don’t miss RRSP, medical expenses, work-from-home
- Check for benefits – CCB, GST/HST credit, and provincial benefits require filing
What If I Can’t Pay?
If you can’t pay your full tax bill by April 30:
- File on time anyway – Avoid the 5% late filing penalty
- Pay what you can – Reduces interest charges
- Contact CRA – You may qualify for a payment arrangement
- Consider a line of credit – Often cheaper than CRA interest
Tax installment payment deadlines
If you owe more than $3,000 in federal tax (or $1,800 in Quebec), CRA may require you to make quarterly installment payments for the current tax year rather than paying all at once in April:
| Quarter | Installment due date |
|---|---|
| Q1 | March 15 |
| Q2 | June 15 |
| Q3 | September 15 |
| Q4 | December 15 |
CRA will send you an instalment reminder with suggested amounts if you are required to make installments. You can also pay voluntary installments to avoid a large April balance.
Self-employed with no employer withholding: if you have significant self-employment income and pay no tax at source all year, expect to owe at filing and potentially face installment requirements in the following year.
Business tax deadlines (2026)
For those with corporate income or business income, additional deadlines apply:
| Type | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GST/HST annual return (annual filer) | 3 months after fiscal year end | E.g., March 31 for Dec 31 year-end |
| GST/HST quarterly installments | 1 month after each quarter end | If you chose quarterly |
| Corporate tax return (T2) | 6 months after fiscal year end | E.g., June 30 for Dec 31 year-end |
| Corporate tax payment | 2 months after year end (most corps) | E.g., Feb 28 for Dec 31 |
| T4/T4A slip filing by employers | Last day of February | Must file and distribute to employees |
| T5 slips (investment income) | Last day of February | Investment income paid in prior year |
For most employees, the April 30 deadline is the only one that matters. For self-employed individuals and business owners, the calendar above has multiple important dates.