Free Reference · 2026-2027 Tax Years · Every Deadline
Complete Guide to CRA Deadlines 2026-2027
Every CRA filing and payment deadline for Canadian businesses and individuals. Corporate tax, personal tax, HST, payroll, information returns, SR&ED, RRSP, trusts, instalments, penalties and interest rates. Bookmark this page.
What This Guide Covers
1. Corporate Tax (T2) Deadlines 2. Personal Tax (T1) Deadlines 3. HST/GST Filing Deadlines 4. Payroll Remittance Deadlines 5. Information Return Deadlines (T4, T5, T5018, NR4) 6. SR&ED (T661) Deadline 7. RRSP and TFSA Deadlines 8. Instalment Payment Deadlines 9. Trust (T3) Deadlines 10. Election Deadlines (Section 85, CDA, Late Elections) 11. Penalties and Interest Rates 12. Month-by-Month CRA Calendar (2026-2027) 13. Frequently Asked Questions1. Corporate Tax (T2) Deadlines
| Deadline | What Is Due | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months after fiscal year-end | T2 corporate tax return filing | The T2 must be filed within 6 months of the corporation's fiscal year-end. A corporation with a December 31, 2026 year-end must file by June 30, 2027. A corporation with a March 31, 2027 year-end must file by September 30, 2027. |
| 2 months after fiscal year-end | Corporate tax balance owing (payment) | The tax balance must be paid within 2 months of year-end. Filing is 6 months, but payment is 2 months. Interest accrues on any unpaid balance from the 2-month mark, even if the return is not yet due. |
| 3 months after fiscal year-end (eligible CCPCs) | Corporate tax balance owing (extended) | CCPCs qualify for the 3-month payment deadline if: (1) taxable income in the prior year was $500,000 or less, AND (2) the corporation claimed the SBD in the prior year, AND (3) taxable capital employed in Canada was $10 million or less. |
| Last day of each quarter (or month) | Corporate tax instalments | Corporations that owe more than $3,000 in federal tax for the current or prior year must pay quarterly or monthly instalments. Quarterly: last day of March, June, September, December. Monthly: last day of each month. |
Common Fiscal Year-End Deadlines (2026-2027)
| Fiscal Year-End | T2 Filing Deadline | Tax Payment Deadline (2 months) | Tax Payment (3 months, eligible CCPC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2026 | June 30, 2027 | February 28, 2027 | March 31, 2027 |
| January 31, 2027 | July 31, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | April 30, 2027 |
| March 31, 2027 | September 30, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | June 30, 2027 |
| June 30, 2027 | December 31, 2027 | August 31, 2027 | September 30, 2027 |
| September 30, 2026 | March 31, 2027 | November 30, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
Payment Is Due BEFORE the Filing Deadline: The most common mistake: business owners assume they have 6 months to both file and pay. The filing deadline is 6 months, but the payment deadline is 2 months (3 months for eligible CCPCs). A corporation with a December 31 year-end must PAY by February 28 and FILE by June 30. Interest accrues from March 1 on any unpaid balance. Corporate Tax Filing →
2. Personal Tax (T1) Deadlines
| Deadline | Who | Details |
|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2027 | All individuals (2026 tax year) | T1 personal tax return must be filed by April 30. Tax balance owing must also be PAID by April 30. Both filing and payment are the same date for employees and non-self-employed individuals. |
| June 15, 2027 (filing only) | Self-employed individuals and their spouses | Extended FILING deadline for self-employed individuals. However, the PAYMENT deadline is still April 30. Interest accrues on any unpaid balance from May 1, even though the filing deadline is June 15. |
| April 30, 2027 | Payment for self-employed | Self-employed individuals have until June 15 to file but must PAY by April 30. Filing late (after June 15) also triggers the late-filing penalty on the unpaid balance. |
| 6 months after date of death | Deceased taxpayer (final return) | The final T1 for a deceased taxpayer is due April 30 of the following year OR 6 months after the date of death, whichever is later. If death occurs between November 1 and December 31, the deadline is 6 months after death. |
3. HST/GST Filing Deadlines
| Filing Frequency | Who | Filing and Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Annual taxable revenue above $6,000,000 | Last day of the month following the reporting period. January return: due February 28. February return: due March 31. And so on for each month. |
| Quarterly | Annual taxable revenue $1,500,001 to $6,000,000 | Last day of the month following the quarter. Q1 (Jan-Mar): due April 30. Q2 (Apr-Jun): due July 31. Q3 (Jul-Sep): due October 31. Q4 (Oct-Dec): due January 31. |
| Annual | Annual taxable revenue $1,500,000 or less | 3 months after the fiscal year-end for corporations. June 15 for self-employed individuals with a December 31 year-end. Payment for annual filers: April 30 (individuals) or 3 months after year-end (corporations). |
| Annual (instalments) | Annual filers with net tax owing above $3,000 | Annual filers who owe more than $3,000 in HST must pay quarterly instalments even though they file annually. Instalments: last day of each fiscal quarter. |
2026-2027 Quarterly HST Filing Dates (Calendar Year-End)
| Quarter | Reporting Period | Filing and Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | January 1 to March 31, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Q2 2026 | April 1 to June 30, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| Q3 2026 | July 1 to September 30, 2026 | October 31, 2026 |
| Q4 2026 | October 1 to December 31, 2026 | January 31, 2027 |
| Q1 2027 | January 1 to March 31, 2027 | April 30, 2027 |
| Q2 2027 | April 1 to June 30, 2027 | July 31, 2027 |
HST Refund Tip: If your business generates HST refunds (ITCs exceed HST collected, common for exporters, SaaS companies and startups with high expenses), file monthly instead of quarterly or annually. Monthly filing means you receive refund cheques every month instead of waiting 3 or 12 months. We can request a change in filing frequency from CRA. GST/HST Filing →
4. Payroll Remittance Deadlines
| Remitter Type | Criteria | Remittance Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Regular remitter | Average monthly withholding (AMWA) under $25,000 | 15th of the month following the pay period. January payroll: remit by February 15. Most small businesses are regular remitters. |
| Quarterly remitter | AMWA under $1,000 (and perfect compliance history) | 15th of the month after the quarter. Q1 (Jan-Mar): remit by April 15. Q2 (Apr-Jun): remit by July 15. Q3 (Jul-Sep): remit by October 15. Q4 (Oct-Dec): remit by January 15. |
| Accelerated remitter (Threshold 1) | AMWA $25,000 to $99,999.99 | Twice monthly. Payroll paid in the first 15 days of the month: remit by the 25th. Payroll paid in the last half of the month: remit by the 10th of the following month. |
| Accelerated remitter (Threshold 2) | AMWA $100,000 or more | Within 3 business days after the pay date. The most aggressive timeline. Large employers with weekly payroll remit multiple times per month. |
Payroll Remittance Penalties Are Severe: 3% for 1 to 3 days late. 5% for 4 to 5 days late. 7% for 6 to 7 days late. 10% for 8 or more days late or failure to remit. Repeated late remittances: 20% penalty. CRA considers payroll remittances as trust funds held on behalf of employees. Directors can be personally liable for unremitted payroll under section 227.1. Payroll Services →
5. Information Return Deadlines (T4, T5, T5018, NR4)
| Information Return | Filing Deadline | Who Must File | Penalty for Late Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid) | Last day of February following the calendar year. 2026 T4s: due February 28, 2027. | Every employer who paid salary, wages or taxable benefits to employees during the year. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500 per filing). |
| T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other Income) | Last day of February. 2026 T4As: due February 28, 2027. | Payers of fees, commissions, contractor payments (if not T5018), pension and other income reported on T4A. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500). |
| T5 (Statement of Investment Income) | Last day of February. 2026 T5s: due February 28, 2027. | Corporations that paid dividends, interest or royalties to shareholders or investors during the year. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500). |
| T5018 (Statement of Contract Payments) | 6 months after the fiscal year-end. December 31 year-end: due June 30. | Construction and certain other industries. Must report payments of $500+ to subcontractors. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500). |
| NR4 (Statement of Amounts Paid or Credited to Non-Residents) | Last day of March following the calendar year. 2026 NR4s: due March 31, 2027. | Payers of management fees, royalties, dividends, interest or rent to non-residents of Canada. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500). |
| T3 (Statement of Trust Income Allocations) | 90 days after the trust's fiscal year-end. Calendar year trusts: March 31. | Trustees who allocated income to trust beneficiaries during the year. | $25/day per slip (minimum $100, maximum $2,500). |
6. SR&ED (T661) Deadline
| SR&ED Deadline | Details |
|---|---|
| 18 months after fiscal year-end | The T661 (SR&ED claim) must be filed within 18 months of the corporation's fiscal year-end. This is an absolute deadline with NO extensions and NO late filing permitted. Missing the deadline means the entire SR&ED claim for that year is forfeited permanently. |
| Example: December 31, 2026 year-end | T661 must be filed by June 30, 2028. The T2 corporate tax return (due June 30, 2027) should include the SR&ED schedules, but the T661 can be filed up to 18 months after year-end even if the T2 is filed earlier. |
| Example: March 31, 2027 year-end | T661 must be filed by September 30, 2028. |
The SR&ED Deadline Is the Most Unforgiving Deadline in Canadian Tax: Every other CRA deadline has a late-filing option (with penalties). The SR&ED T661 deadline has none. If you miss it by one day, the entire claim is permanently forfeited. A technology company with $250,000 in eligible expenditures forfeits $87,500 in refundable credits by missing the deadline by one day. We file every SR&ED claim at least 60 days before the deadline. SR&ED Services →
7. RRSP and TFSA Deadlines
| Deadline | Details |
|---|---|
| RRSP contribution deadline: March 1, 2027 (for 2026 tax year) | Contributions made by March 1, 2027 can be deducted on the 2026 T1 personal return. Contributions after March 1 are applied to the 2027 tax year. The 2026 RRSP contribution limit is 18% of 2025 earned income to a maximum of $32,490, plus any unused room from prior years. |
| RRSP over-contribution grace | You can over-contribute by up to $2,000 without penalty. Over-contributions above $2,000 are subject to a 1%/month penalty tax on the excess amount until withdrawn. |
| TFSA contribution: January 1, 2026 onward | The 2026 TFSA contribution limit is $7,000. Contributions can be made at any time during the year. Unused room accumulates. Total cumulative room since 2009 (if age 18+ and resident for all years) is $102,000 as of 2026. |
| TFSA over-contribution penalty | 1%/month penalty on the excess contribution amount. Calculated monthly. Unlike RRSP, there is no $2,000 grace amount for TFSA. |
8. Instalment Payment Deadlines
Corporate Tax Instalments (2026-2027)
| Instalment Type | Who Must Pay | Due Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Corporations owing more than $3,000 in federal tax (current or prior year) | Last day of each month. 12 instalments per year. Each instalment is 1/12 of the estimated annual tax. |
| Quarterly | Eligible small CCPCs (taxable income under $500,000, taxable capital under $10M, instalment base under $3,000 prior year) | Last day of each fiscal quarter. March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 (for calendar year-end corporations). |
Personal Tax Instalments (2026)
| Due Date | Period Covered |
|---|---|
| March 15, 2026 | Q1 instalment |
| June 15, 2026 | Q2 instalment |
| September 15, 2026 | Q3 instalment |
| December 15, 2026 | Q4 instalment |
Who Must Pay Personal Instalments? Individuals who owe more than $3,000 in net tax (federal and provincial combined) in the current year AND in either of the two prior years. Common for business owners who receive dividend income, rental income or capital gains that are not subject to source deductions. CRA sends instalment reminders, but the obligation exists even without the reminder.
9. Trust (T3) Deadlines
| Deadline | What Is Due | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 90 days after the trust's fiscal year-end | T3 trust return filing | Most trusts have a December 31 year-end (required since 2021 for most inter vivos trusts). December 31 year-end: T3 due March 31. Testamentary trusts may have a non-calendar year-end for the first year. |
| 90 days after year-end | T3 slips (Statement of Trust Income) | T3 slips issued to beneficiaries by the same deadline as the T3 return. Beneficiaries need the T3 slip to file their personal T1 returns. |
| 90 days after year-end | Trust tax balance owing | Any tax owing by the trust is due 90 days after year-end (same as the filing deadline). Unlike corporations, there is no separate earlier payment deadline for trusts. |
| Bare trust reporting | Bare trusts were required to file T3 returns starting in 2024. The filing deadline is the same: 90 days after year-end. Bare trusts include many common arrangements: parent holding property for a child, nominee arrangements, joint bank accounts. |
10. Election Deadlines
| Election | Deadline | Consequence of Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Section 85 rollover (T2057) | T2 filing deadline for the transferor (6 months after year-end) OR the transferee, whichever is earlier. | Late-filed election permitted with penalty: $100/month (min $100, max $8,000) from the original due date. The election must be filed within 3 years of the due date. After 3 years, no late filing is accepted. |
| Capital dividend election (s.83(2)) | On or before the date the capital dividend is paid. | If the election is not filed on time, the dividend is treated as a taxable dividend (not tax-free). Late election: $41.67/month penalty (min $100, max $500). Can be filed late if the dividend was paid. |
| Subsection 256(2) associated corporation election | T2 filing deadline. | If two corporations want to elect NOT to be associated (where one has the right to acquire shares), the election must be filed with the T2. Missing the deadline means the default association rules apply. |
| Schedule 23 (SBD allocation) | T2 filing deadline for the earliest filing corporation in the associated group. | If not filed, CRA allocates the $500,000 SBD equally among associated corporations. This may not be the optimal allocation. File the Schedule 23 with every T2 for associated corporations. |
| Late-filed elections (general) | Varies by election type | Most elections can be filed late with a penalty under subsection 220(3.2). The penalty is typically $100/month from the due date to a maximum that varies by election. CRA discretion applies. Not all elections have a late-filing option (SR&ED T661 does NOT). |
11. Penalties and Interest Rates
Late Filing Penalties
| Return Type | Penalty |
|---|---|
| T2 (corporate tax return) | 5% of the unpaid tax + 1% per month for up to 12 months. Maximum: 17% of unpaid tax. Repeat offenders: 10% + 2%/month for up to 20 months (maximum: 50%). |
| T1 (personal tax return) | 5% of the unpaid tax + 1% per month for up to 12 months. Same structure as T2. Repeat offenders: 10% + 2%/month. |
| HST/GST return | 1% of balance owing + 0.25% per month for up to 12 months. Maximum: 4% of balance. |
| Information returns (T4, T5, T5018, NR4) | $25/day per slip. Minimum $100. Maximum $2,500 per filing. |
| Payroll remittances (late) | 3% (1-3 days late), 5% (4-5 days), 7% (6-7 days), 10% (8+ days). Repeat: 20%. |
CRA Prescribed Interest Rates (2026)
| Interest Type | Rate (updated quarterly) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Interest on overdue taxes (corporate and personal) | CRA prescribed rate + 4% | Charged daily on any unpaid tax balance from the payment due date. Compounded daily. Not deductible for income tax purposes. |
| Interest on corporate tax refunds | CRA prescribed rate | CRA pays interest on corporate refunds from the later of: 120 days after year-end or 30 days after the return is filed. |
| Interest on personal tax refunds | CRA prescribed rate + 2% | CRA pays interest on personal refunds from the later of: 30 days after the return is filed or the return due date. |
| Shareholder loan imputed interest (s.80.4) | CRA prescribed rate (1% floor) | If the corporation lends to a shareholder at below the prescribed rate, the difference is a taxable benefit. The prescribed rate is set quarterly and published on the CRA website. |
12. Month-by-Month CRA Calendar (2026-2027)
| Month | Key Deadlines |
|---|---|
| January 2027 | Q4 2026 HST due (quarterly filers): January 31. December 2026 payroll remittance: January 15 (regular). T5018 due for June 30, 2026 year-ends. |
| February 2027 | T4, T4A, T5 slips for 2026: February 28. December 31, 2026 corporate tax payment (2-month): February 28. January payroll remittance: February 15. |
| March 2027 | RRSP contribution deadline for 2026 tax year: March 1. T3 trust return (December 31 year-end): March 31. NR4 slips for 2026: March 31. December 31, 2026 corporate tax payment (3-month CCPC): March 31. |
| April 2027 | T1 personal tax return and payment: April 30. Q1 2027 HST due (quarterly): April 30. Personal tax instalments Q1 2027: March 15 (already passed) and Q2: June 15. |
| May 2027 | Interest accrues on any unpaid personal tax from May 1. March 31, 2027 corporate tax payment (2-month): May 31. |
| June 2027 | T1 for self-employed (filing only): June 15. T2 for December 31, 2026 year-end: June 30. T5018 for December 31, 2026 year-end: June 30. SR&ED T661 for December 31, 2025 year-end: June 30. |
| July 2027 | Q2 2027 HST due (quarterly): July 31. T2 for January 31, 2027 year-end: July 31. |
| August 2027 | T2 filing and payment deadlines for February 28, 2027 year-ends. Regular payroll remittances continue monthly. |
| September 2027 | T2 for March 31, 2027 year-end: September 30. Q3 personal tax instalment: September 15. |
| October 2027 | Q3 2027 HST due (quarterly): October 31. |
| November 2027 | Regular payroll and HST remittances. Planning deadlines for year-end corporate tax strategies. |
| December 2027 | Q4 personal tax instalment: December 15. Corporate tax instalment (quarterly): December 31. Salary vs. dividend decisions for December 31 year-end corporations. Last date for RRSP withdrawals or contributions to affect 2027 tax year planning. |
Frequently Asked Questions: CRA Deadlines
When is my corporate tax return due?
6 months after the fiscal year-end. December 31 year-end: due June 30. March 31 year-end: due September 30. The PAYMENT is due 2 months after year-end (3 months for eligible small CCPCs). Payment is always due before the filing deadline. Corporate Tax Filing →
When is my personal tax return due?
April 30 for most individuals. Self-employed individuals and their spouses: June 15 for filing, but April 30 for payment. Interest accrues from May 1 on any unpaid balance, even if you file by June 15.
When are HST returns due?
Monthly filers: last day of the following month. Quarterly filers: last day of the month following the quarter. Annual filers: 3 months after year-end (corporations) or June 15 (self-employed individuals). Payment is due on the same date as filing. GST/HST Filing →
When are T4 slips due?
Last day of February following the calendar year. 2026 T4s: due February 28, 2027. This applies to T4, T4A and T5 information returns. T5018 (construction subcontractors): 6 months after fiscal year-end. NR4 (non-residents): March 31.
What is the penalty for filing a corporate tax return late?
5% of the unpaid tax + 1% per month for up to 12 months. A corporation with $20,000 unpaid that files 6 months late: $1,000 (5%) + $1,200 (6 x 1% x $20,000) = $2,200 in penalties plus daily interest. Repeat offenders face double penalties: 10% + 2%/month.
What is the SR&ED filing deadline?
18 months after fiscal year-end. This is an absolute deadline with no extensions and no late filing. December 31, 2026 year-end: T661 due June 30, 2028. Missing by one day forfeits the entire claim permanently. We file every SR&ED claim at least 60 days early. SR&ED Services →
When is the RRSP contribution deadline?
March 1, 2027 for the 2026 tax year. Contributions made by this date can be deducted on the 2026 T1. The 2026 contribution limit is 18% of 2025 earned income to a maximum of $32,490, plus unused room from prior years.
Do I need to pay corporate tax instalments?
Yes if your corporation owes more than $3,000 in federal tax in the current year or the prior year. Instalments are due monthly (last day of each month) or quarterly (last day of each quarter) depending on the corporation's size. CRA charges instalment interest if payments are insufficient or late.
What happens if I miss a payroll remittance?
Penalties: 3% (1-3 days late), 5% (4-5 days), 7% (6-7 days), 10% (8+ days). Repeat offenders: 20%. CRA considers payroll deductions as trust funds. Directors can be personally liable for unremitted amounts under section 227.1 of the Income Tax Act. Payroll Services →
Can I file a late section 85 election?
Yes, within 3 years of the original due date. The penalty is $100/month from the due date (minimum $100, maximum $8,000). After 3 years, the late election is no longer accepted. File the T2057 with the T2 return whenever possible to avoid the late-filing penalty entirely.
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