When Are Canadian Tax Returns Due? Key Deadlines

The Canadian tax system requires individuals to adhere to specific deadlines for filing their income tax returns and remitting any taxes owed. Understanding these dates is important for ensuring compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and avoiding potential penalties or interest charges. This guide outlines the various tax deadlines relevant to Canadian taxpayers.

General Filing Deadlines

Most Canadian taxpayers are required to file their T1 General Income Tax and Benefit Return by April 30 of the year following the tax year. For example, the deadline for the 2024 tax year is April 30, 2025. This deadline applies to the majority of individuals, including those who are employed, receive pension income, or have investment earnings.

The T1 General form summarizes all income, deductions, and credits to determine if a taxpayer owes money or is due a refund. Even if no tax is owed, filing this return on time is important to maintain access to various government benefits and credits, such as the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit or the Canada Child Benefit. If April 30 falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Filing Deadlines for Self-Employed Individuals

Self-employed individuals and their spouses or common-law partners have an extended deadline for filing their income tax and benefit returns. This group is granted until June 15 of the year following the tax year to submit their T1 General form. For instance, for the 2024 tax year, the filing deadline for self-employed individuals is June 16, 2025, as June 15 falls on a Sunday.

An individual is considered self-employed for tax purposes if they earn income from a business, as a sole proprietor, independent contractor, or partner, including freelance or platform economy work. The extension allows additional time for these taxpayers to compile detailed business income and expense information. However, while the filing deadline is extended, the payment deadline for any taxes owed remains the same as for other taxpayers.

Tax Payment Deadlines

The deadline for paying any income tax balance owing to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is April 30 for all taxpayers, regardless of their filing status. This means that even if a self-employed individual has until June 15 to file their tax return, they must still pay any outstanding taxes by April 30 to avoid interest and penalties. The CRA begins charging compound daily interest on any unpaid amounts starting the day after the payment due date.

Payments can be made through various methods to the CRA. Common options include online banking, where the CRA can be added as a payee, or through the CRA’s “My Payment” service using a debit card. Pre-authorized debits can also be set up through the CRA’s My Account portal, allowing for automated withdrawals from a bank account. Cheques or money orders can be mailed, and some financial institutions may accept in-person payments with a remittance voucher.

Penalties for Late Filing and Payment

Failing to meet tax deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges from the Canada Revenue Agency. If a tax return is filed after the due date and there is a balance owing, a late-filing penalty applies. This penalty is 5% of the unpaid balance, plus an additional 1% for each full month the return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months.

For those who have incurred a late-filing penalty in any of the three previous tax years and receive a formal demand from the CRA to file, the penalty increases. In such cases, the late-filing penalty becomes 10% of the balance owing, plus an additional 2% for each full month the return is late, up to a maximum of 20 months. Interest, compounded daily, applies to both late payments and late-filing penalties. Filing the tax return on time, even if the full payment cannot be made, can help avoid the late-filing penalty, although interest on the unpaid amount will still accrue.