When Are Taxes Due in Canada? Filing & Payment Dates
Understand Canadian tax deadlines. Get clear information on filing and payment dates for various taxpayers to ensure timely submission.
Canada’s tax system operates on an annual cycle. Understanding its deadlines is important for all taxpayers to ensure compliance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations. Meeting these dates helps individuals and businesses avoid penalties and interest charges.
Filing Deadlines for Individuals
Most individual taxpayers in Canada must file their T1 General income tax and benefit return by April 30 each year. This deadline applies to the tax year ending December 31 of the previous calendar year; for example, the 2024 tax year return is due by April 30, 2025.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires returns to be filed by this date. If April 30 falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day. Electronically submitted returns must be transmitted by midnight local time on the due date.
Filing Deadlines for Self-Employed Individuals
Self-employed individuals, including sole proprietors, business partners, and their spouses or common-law partners, have an extended filing deadline for their T1 General income tax and benefit return. This deadline is June 15 of the year following the tax year. For example, the 2024 tax year filing deadline for self-employed individuals is June 16, 2025, as June 15, 2025, is a Sunday.
This extension allows more time to prepare complex self-employment tax returns and gather business records. However, this extension applies only to filing the return, not to paying any taxes owed.
Tax Payment Deadlines
The deadline for paying taxes owed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is April 30 for most individuals. This payment deadline applies even to self-employed individuals, despite their later filing deadline. If April 30 falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment is considered on time if received by the next business day.
The CRA offers various payment methods, including online banking, Interac Debit through My Payment, pre-authorized debit, and mail. Some third-party providers also facilitate credit card payments, though fees may apply.
Consequences of Missing Deadlines
Failing to meet tax filing or payment deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If taxes are owed and the return is filed late, an initial late-filing penalty of 5% of the balance owing applies. An additional 1% of the balance owing is charged for each full month the return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months, meaning the penalty can reach up to 17% of taxes owed.
Interest is also charged on any unpaid tax balance, beginning the day after the payment due date. This interest compounds daily and applies to both overdue taxes and penalties. The interest rate is determined quarterly by the CRA. For repeat offenders with a late-filing penalty in any of the three previous tax years, the penalty increases to 10% of the balance owing, plus an additional 2% per month for up to 20 months.
Other Common Canadian Tax Deadlines
Beyond individual income tax, other tax deadlines exist for specific situations. Trusts must file a T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return no later than 90 days after their tax year-end. For trusts with a December 31 calendar year-end, the T3 return and any balance owing are due by March 31 of the following year.
Small businesses registered for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) have filing and payment deadlines based on their reporting period. Monthly or quarterly filers must submit their GST/HST return and any payment one month after the reporting period ends. Annual GST/HST filers with a December 31 year-end have a filing deadline of June 15, with payment due by April 30.