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Tax Filing
Canadian Tax Filing Deadlines 2026
8 min readUpdated for 2025 Tax Year
Key 2026 Deadline
For most Canadians, the 2026 tax return (for 2025 income) is due April 30, 2026. Self-employed individuals have until June 15, 2026, but any balance owing is still due April 30.
Key Tax Deadlines for 2026 (Filing 2025 Tax Year)
Personal Tax Return Deadlines
| Who | Filing Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Employees | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Self-employed | June 15, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Deceased (Jan-Oct death) | April 30 following year | April 30 following year |
| Deceased (Nov-Dec death) | 6 months after death | 6 months after death |
RRSP Contribution Deadline
- For 2025 tax year: March 2, 2026
- For 2026 tax year: March 1, 2027
- First 60 days of the year count for prior year
TFSA Contribution
- No deadline—contribute anytime during the year
- New room available January 1 each year
- 2025 limit: $7,000 (2026 TBD)
Quarterly Instalment Deadlines
If you owe more than $3,000 in taxes (or $1,800 in Quebec), you may need to pay instalments:
- March 15
- June 15
- September 15
- December 15
Business Tax Deadlines
Corporations
- Filing: 6 months after fiscal year-end
- Payment: 2-3 months after fiscal year-end (depending on size)
- T4/T5 slips: Last day of February
GST/HST Returns
- Annual filers: 3 months after fiscal year-end
- Quarterly filers: 1 month after quarter-end
- Monthly filers: 1 month after month-end
Penalties for Late Filing
Late Filing Penalty
- Initial penalty: 5% of balance owing
- Plus: 1% for each full month late (max 12 months)
- Maximum: 17% of balance owing
- Repeat offenders: 10% + 2% per month (max 20 months)
Late Payment Interest
- Compound daily interest on unpaid amounts
- CRA prescribed rate + 4%
- Currently around 9-10% annually
Tip: Even if you can't pay, file on time. The late filing penalty is much higher than late payment interest. File by the deadline and set up a payment arrangement with CRA.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
File Anyway
- Penalties stop accruing once you file
- You may still get a refund
- Benefits require filing (CCB, GST credit)
Request Penalty Relief
CRA may waive penalties if you have:
- Serious illness or accident
- Natural disaster
- Death in immediate family
- CRA delays or errors
Important 2026 Dates Calendar (2025 Tax Year)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | New TFSA room available |
| February 28, 2026 | T4, T5, T3 slips issued to you |
| March 2, 2026 | RRSP deadline for 2025 tax year |
| March 15, 2026 | First instalment payment |
| April 30, 2026 | Tax return & payment due (most filers) |
| June 15, 2026 | Self-employed filing deadline |
Tips for Meeting Deadlines
- File electronically: Faster processing, instant confirmation
- Register for My Account: Access slips and NOA online
- Set up direct deposit: Get refunds faster
- Keep records organized: Easier to file quickly
- Use auto-fill: CRA pre-populates your return
Questions About Deadlines?
Our AI tax assistant can help answer specific questions about filing deadlines and penalties.
Ask the Tax AssistantDisclaimer: Deadlines may change. Always verify current dates on the CRA website.