The Canadian tax deadline is April 30 for most people. If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed, you can file by June 15, but any balance owing is still due by April 30, and the CRA charges daily compound interest from the next day.
Most Canadians know the tax deadline is the end of April. The self-employed often hear "June 15" and relax. That's where the trap is: June 15 is a filing deadline, not a payment deadline. Here are the dates the CRA publishes, what each one costs you if you miss it, and a simple plan to stay on the right side of them.
The key dates
| Date | What's due | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| April 30 | File your return and pay any balance owing | Most individuals |
| April 30 | Pay any balance owing | Self-employed people and their spouses or common-law partners too |
| June 15 | File your return | Self-employed people and their spouses or common-law partners |
| March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15 | Tax instalments | People required to pay instalments |
| December 31 | Single instalment | Farmers and fishers whose main income is from that work |
The self-employed trap
The CRA gives the self-employed until June 15 to file, because business returns take longer. But the balance owing is still due on April 30. The CRA charges daily compound interest on any outstanding balance from the day after it's due until it's paid. So if you file on June 15 and pay then, you've built up about six weeks of interest. If you think you'll owe, estimate it and pay by April 30, then file by June 15. Overpaying slightly is better than underpaying, because any excess comes back once you file.
Late-filing penalties
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Filed late with a balance owing | 5% of the balance, plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months |
| Filed late again after a penalty in 2022, 2023 or 2024 and a demand to file | 10% of the balance, plus 2% for each full month late, up to 20 months |
A worked example: owe 4,000 dollars and file three full months late, and the penalty is 5% plus 3%, so 8% or 320 dollars, before interest. That's my sum from the CRA percentages. The penalty is a share of what you owe, so the bigger your balance, the more a late return costs.
File on time even if you can't pay
The late-filing penalty is separate from interest. If you can't pay the full balance by April 30, file on time anyway to avoid the penalty, and pay what you can. Interest still runs on what's left, but you won't add 5% on top.
Can you get an extension?
The CRA's published dates don't include a general extension for individuals. If you can't pay in full, filing on time and paying what you can keeps the penalty away, and the CRA has a debt collection page that explains your options for managing what's left. Don't skip the return because you can't afford the bill: that's the most expensive choice.
Tax instalments
If you owe a lot of tax that isn't withheld at source, for example from self-employment, the CRA may require you to pay in instalments during the year. For 2026 the dates are March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. Late or insufficient instalments can bring instalment interest and penalty charges, separately from your April 30 balance.
Filing electronically
NETFILE and ReFILE are open from February 23, 2026 until January 29, 2027 for filing online through certified tax software. Filing electronically lets you file right up to the deadline without relying on the post, and certified software does the arithmetic for you.
What if you're getting a refund?
The late-filing penalty is worked out as a share of your balance owing, so if you're owed money back there's no balance for the penalty to apply to. But there's still a good reason not to wait: the refund can't be paid until you file. If your income is low, filing also keeps your records up to date for other programs that use your return.
Spouses and common-law partners
The June 15 filing date isn't only for the person running the business. The CRA extends it to their spouse or common-law partner too, even if the partner is an employee. It's the same deal, though: any balance either of you owes is due by April 30.
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Small amounts
The CRA says it generally doesn't charge a difference of 2 dollars or less. Anything above that is a balance owing and due by April 30.
A simple plan for the self-employed
- In March, pull together your income and expenses for the year.
- Estimate your tax and pay it by April 30.
- Finish and file your return by June 15.
- If you're asked to pay instalments, add the four instalment dates to your calendar.
- Set aside money from each payment you receive through the year so April isn't a shock.
My verdict
If you're employed, April 30 is your one date. If you're self-employed, treat April 30 as the real deadline and June 15 as paperwork time. For more on running income in Canada, see Amazon KDP in Canada and Snapchat earnings in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
When is the tax deadline in Canada?
April 30 for most people. Self-employed people and their spouses or common-law partners have until June 15 to file.
When do self-employed Canadians have to pay?
Any balance owing is due by April 30, even though you can file by June 15.
What is the late-filing penalty in Canada?
5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months. Repeat offenders can face 10% plus 2% a month.
Does the CRA charge interest on late payments?
Yes. Daily compound interest applies from the day after the balance is due.
What are the 2026 tax instalment dates?
March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 for most people who must pay instalments.
