When Are Taxes Due in Canada? Key CRA Deadlines
Loading article…
Mark your calendar: Canadian tax deadlines can cost you hundreds in penalties if missed. Most individuals must file and pay by April 30, 2026, for the 2025 tax year, but self-employed workers face a split deadline that trips up thousands every year.
Know your exact deadline and avoid CRA interest charges
Individual Tax Deadlines
For the 2025 tax year, the Canada Revenue Agency requires most Canadians to file their T1 General Income Tax and Benefit Return by April 30, 2026. This deadline applies to employees, retirees, investors, and anyone who does not report self-employment income.
Any balance you owe for 2025 must also be paid by April 30, 2026. If you file on time but pay late, the CRA charges compound daily interest starting May 1. As of early 2026, that rate sits at approximately 7% per year, which adds up quickly on four-figure balances.
The same filing pattern is expected to carry over to the 2026 tax year return you will file in 2027, so these habits are worth building now. Even if you had no income in 2025, filing a return can trigger benefit payments. The CRA uses your tax return to calculate the GST/HST credit, the Canada Child Benefit, and provincial credits. (The Canada Carbon Rebate ended in April 2025.) Missing the deadline means delaying those payments.
- April 30, 2026: File your T1 return and pay any balance owing to avoid penalties and interest.
- EFILE and NETFILE open: Electronic filing services opened February 23, 2026, allowing early submissions.
- Benefit eligibility: Filing on time ensures you receive GST/HST credits and carbon rebates without delay.
Self-Employed Deadlines
If you or your spouse earned self-employment income in 2025, your filing deadline extends to June 15, 2026. This applies to sole proprietors, freelancers, gig workers, and anyone who completes a T2125 Statement of Business or Professional Activities.
The catch: your payment deadline remains April 30, 2026. This split confuses many Canadians every year. You get extra time to prepare your paperwork, but the CRA expects payment on the same schedule as everyone else.
If you owe taxes and wait until June 15 to pay, interest compounds daily from May 1 onward, even though your return is not technically late. At 7% annual interest compounded daily, a $5,000 balance accrues roughly $45 in interest over those six weeks.
Payment vs Filing Dates
The distinction between filing and payment deadlines causes confusion, especially for self-employed Canadians. Filing means submitting your completed tax return to the CRA. Payment means settling any balance you owe.
For most individuals, these deadlines coincide: both are April 30, 2026. For self-employed filers, they diverge. You can file as late as June 15, but payment remains April 30.
| Taxpayer Type | Filing Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (non-self-employed) | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Self-employed individuals | June 15, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Deceased (Jan 1 – Oct 31) | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Deceased (Nov 1 – Dec 31) | Six months after death | Six months after death |
If a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or CRA-recognized public holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. This rule applies to both filing and payment deadlines.
Late Penalties and Interest
Missing the April 30 deadline triggers two separate charges: a late-filing penalty and daily compound interest. Both apply if you owe money and file or pay late.
The late-filing penalty is 5% of your 2025 balance owing, plus 1% for each full month your return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months. If you owe $3,000 and file three months late, the penalty alone is $240.
Interest compounds daily on any unpaid balance starting May 1, 2026. As of early 2026, the CRA charges approximately 7% per year. The CRA adjusts this prescribed rate every quarter based on the average yield of 90-day Government of Canada Treasury bills.
- Repeat offenders face double penalties: If you were charged a late-filing penalty in any of the previous three years, the penalty jumps to 10% of your balance plus 2% per month, up to 20 months.
- Interest accrues even if you file on time: Filing by June 15 as a self-employed worker does not stop interest from accumulating if you pay after April 30.
- No penalty waiver for honest mistakes: The CRA rarely waives penalties unless you can prove extreme circumstances beyond your control.
If you cannot pay your full balance by April 30, file your return anyway. The late-filing penalty only applies if you owe money and file late. Filing on time at least avoids that 5% base penalty.
Other Key Dates
Beyond the main filing deadline, several other dates affect your 2025 tax year. Missing these can cost you deductions or trigger additional charges.
RRSP Deadline
To claim an RRSP deduction on your 2025 return, contributions must reach your account by March 2, 2026. The statutory 60-day deadline falls on March 1, which is a Sunday, so the effective date shifts to Monday, March 2.
Your contribution limit for 2025 is 18% of your 2024 earned income, up to a maximum of $32,490, minus any pension adjustments. Check your Notice of Assessment or CRA My Account for your exact room. Contributions after March 2 can only be claimed on your 2026 return.
Instalment Payments
If your net tax owing is more than $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) in the current year and in either of the two previous years, the CRA requires quarterly instalment payments. For 2026, those dates are March 16, June 15, September 15, and December 15.
Instalments are advance payments on your expected 2026 tax bill. They reduce the lump sum you owe when you file in 2027. Missing an instalment triggers interest charges, even if you eventually pay your full balance on time.
- Q1 Instalment: March 16, 2026 (March 15 is a Sunday).
- Q2 Instalment: June 15, 2026 (also the self-employed filing deadline).
- Q3 Instalment: September 15, 2026.
- Q4 Instalment: December 15, 2026.
Corporate Deadlines
Corporations file a T2 return within six months of their fiscal year-end. For businesses with a December 31, 2025, year-end, the T2 is due June 30, 2026. Payment deadlines come earlier: two months after year-end for most corporations, or three months for qualifying CCPCs.
Bottom Line
The 2025 tax filing deadline in Canada is April 30, 2026, for most individuals and all taxpayers who owe money. Self-employed filers get until June 15 to submit their return, but payment remains due April 30 to avoid interest charges at 7% compounded daily. Late filing adds a 5% penalty plus 1% per month, which doubles for repeat offenders.
File early if you expect a refund. If you owe money, estimate your balance before April 30 and pay on time even if you need extra weeks to finalize your T2125. Missing the payment deadline costs real money, and the CRA rarely waives penalties or interest. Set calendar reminders for March 2 (RRSP), April 30 (payment), and June 15 (self-employed filing) to stay on track.
Looking for tools to manage your finances year-round? Browse our tax planning guides or compare credit cards to find options that fit your spending. Sign up for our newsletter to get tax reminders and financial tips delivered to your inbox before each deadline.
When are taxes due in Canada? – FAQ
When are taxes due in Canada for 2026?
For the 2025 tax year, most Canadians must file their T1 return and pay any balance owing by April 30, 2026. Self-employed individuals have until June 15, 2026, to file, but payment is still due April 30 to avoid interest.
What happens if I file my taxes late in Canada?
If you owe taxes and file after April 30, the CRA charges a penalty of 5% of your balance owing plus 1% for each additional month you are late, up to 12 months. Interest at approximately 7% per year also compounds daily on any unpaid balance starting May 1.
When is the self-employed tax deadline in Canada?
Self-employed Canadians can file their tax return by June 15, 2026, for the 2025 tax year. However, any taxes owed must still be paid by April 30, 2026. Interest begins accumulating May 1 on unpaid amounts, even though the filing deadline is six weeks later.
When is the RRSP deadline for the 2025 tax year?
RRSP contributions for the 2025 tax year must be made by March 2, 2026. The statutory 60-day deadline falls on March 1, which is a Sunday, so it shifts to the next business day. Contributions after this date can only be claimed on your 2026 return.
Do I need to file taxes if I had no income in 2025?
You are not legally required to file if you had no income, but filing can trigger benefit payments. The CRA uses your tax return to calculate the GST/HST credit, the Canada Child Benefit, and other credits. Filing ensures you receive those payments without delay.
What is the interest rate on late tax payments in Canada?
As of early 2026, the CRA charges approximately 7% annual interest, compounded daily, on unpaid tax balances starting May 1. The CRA adjusts this prescribed rate every quarter based on the average yield of 90-day Government of Canada Treasury bills. Rates and terms may vary by financial institution.
Can I file my Canadian taxes before February 2026?
The CRA’s EFILE and NETFILE services opened February 23, 2026, for the 2025 tax year. You cannot file electronically before this date. However, you can prepare your return in advance and submit it as soon as the service opens to receive your refund sooner.
What are quarterly tax instalments in Canada?
If your net tax owing is more than $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) in the current year and in either of the two previous years, the CRA requires quarterly instalment payments. For 2026, those dates are March 16, June 15, September 15, and December 15. These are advance payments on your expected 2026 tax bill.
Read next
