Canada Tax Deadlines 2026

Another year, another tax season on the horizon. It kind of creeps up on you, doesn’t it? One minute you’re planning a summer trip, the next you’re trying to remember where you put that folder of receipts.

For 2026, the key dates for your 2025 taxes are already taking shape. Knowing them is more than half the battle. Honestly, it’s the key to avoiding that last-minute scramble and the annoying penalties from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This isn’t about just circling a date on the calendar; it’s about giving yourself peace of mind.

Let’s break it all down, nice and simple.

Key 2026 Tax Dates for Individuals

This is the boat most people are in. If you’re an employee and receive a T4 slip from your employer, these dates are for you. It’s pretty straightforward, which is good news.

Filing Deadline: April 30, 2026

This is the big one. Your 2025 income tax and benefit return (the T1 General) has to be sent to the CRA by midnight on April 30, 2026. Whether you file online or send it by mail, this is your deadline. No wiggle room here.

Payment Deadline: April 30, 2026

Here’s a point that sometimes trips people up. If your calculations show you owe the government money, that payment is also due on April 30. It’s not enough to just file your return; you have to pay up by the same date. If you don’t, interest charges start to build up right away. We’ll get to those later.

RRSP Contribution Deadline

Thinking of reducing your taxable income for 2025? Your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a powerful tool for that. The deadline to contribute to your RRSP for the 2025 tax year isn’t in 2025. It’s actually in the first 60 days of the following year.

For your 2025 taxes, the deadline is March 2, 2026.

Why March 2nd? Because the usual deadline, March 1st, falls on a Sunday in 2026. The CRA gives you until the next business day. It’s a small detail, but an important one.

Tax Deadlines for Self-Employed Canadians

If you work for yourself, whether as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner, the rules are a little different. And a little trickier. This is where a lot of confusion comes from.

The June 16, 2026 Filing Deadline

The CRA gives self-employed individuals, and their spouses or common-law partners, an extension to file their tax returns. You have until June 16, 2026, to submit your paperwork for the 2025 tax year. (Normally it’s June 15, but that’s a Sunday, so it bumps to the next business day). This extra time is meant to help you get all your business income and expense records in order.

Sounds great, right? A bit more breathing room. But this leads directly to a major trap.

The Critical April 30, 2026 Payment Trap

This is, without a doubt, the most important thing for any self-employed person in Canada to understand.

Even though you have until June to file your return, you still have to pay any taxes you owe by April 30, 2026.

Let that sink in. Your payment is due more than a month before your paperwork. If you wait until June to figure out what you owe, you’ll already be hit with over a month’s worth of interest charges. The CRA starts calculating interest on any outstanding balance from May 1. To avoid this, you need to estimate your income and taxes owing well before the April 30 deadline.

Important Dates for Corporations

Running an incorporated business adds another layer. Corporate tax deadlines aren’t tied to the calendar year but to your company’s fiscal year-end.

T2 Filing & Payment Deadlines

The rule is pretty simple to state, but depends on your own schedule. A corporation must file its T2 corporate income tax return no later than six months after the end of its fiscal year.

Payment deadlines are a bit tighter. For most Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs), payment is due within three months of the fiscal year-end. For other corporations, it’s typically due within two months.

What Happens If You Miss a Deadline? Understanding CRA Penalties

So, what if life gets in the way and you’re late? The CRA has a clear system of penalties and interest, and it’s not fun.

Late-Filing Penalty

If you owe taxes and file late, the penalty is automatic. The CRA charges 5% of your 2025 balance owing, plus an additional 1% of your balance owing for each full month your return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months. If you’ve been charged a late-filing penalty in previous years, these percentages can double. It gets expensive fast.

Interest on Overdue Taxes

On top of the late-filing penalty, the CRA charges interest on any unpaid tax amount. This starts on May 1, 2026. The interest is compounded daily, and the rate can change every quarter. It’s a debt that grows every single day you don’t pay it.

Other Key Financial Dates in 2026

Beyond income tax, a few other dates are worth noting.

• GST/HST Credit Payments: For those eligible, these payments typically arrive around the fifth day of January, April, July, and October.
• Quarterly Instalment Payments: If you’re required to pay your taxes in instalments, the due dates are usually March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Canadian Tax Deadlines

Can I get a tax extension in Canada?

Generally, no. The Canadian system is different from the US. The CRA does not grant personal tax extensions on request. The deadlines are firm unless there are extraordinary circumstances, like natural disasters affecting a whole region.

What’s the deadline for filing taxes for a deceased person?

When someone passes away, the deadline for their final tax return is usually later. The due date is April 30 of the year after death, or six months after the date of death—whichever is later.

Are provincial tax deadlines different?

For almost all of Canada, no. You file a single tax return with the CRA, and the federal deadlines apply. The main exception is Quebec, which has its own provincial tax agency, Revenu Québec, and requires a separate provincial tax return. Their deadlines usually align with the CRA’s but it’s always best to check with them directly.

Don’t Face the Deadlines Alone

Keeping track of all these dates and rules can feel like a full-time job. You’re trying to run your life or your business, and tax compliance is just one more thing on your plate. But getting it right saves you money and stress.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Whether you need help preparing your return, planning ahead to minimize what you owe, or dealing with the CRA about past-due taxes, getting professional help is a smart move. Reach out, and let’s make sure you’re ready long before any deadline arrives.