Tax deadlines Canada 2026 — missing a CRA deadline triggers automatic 5% late-filing penalties on the balance owed, plus 1% per month compounding for up to 12 months. A second late filing within three years doubles the penalty to 10%. For small business owners in Mississauga and Ontario, staying on top of every key tax date is non-negotiable. This complete 2026 tax calendar covers every T1, T2, GST/HST, payroll, and installment deadline. Call Pathak CPA at 437-872-7399 if you need a tax consultant in Mississauga to manage your compliance.
2026 Personal Tax Deadlines (T1 — Individuals)
| Deadline | Date 2026 | Who It Applies To | Penalty for Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 filing deadline | April 30, 2026 | Employees, investors, retirees | 5% of balance + 1%/month |
| T1 self-employed filing | June 15, 2026 | Self-employed and spouses | Filing extension only; balance due April 30 |
| RRSP contribution deadline | March 2, 2026 | Anyone with RRSP room | 18% overcontribution penalty on excess |
| Balance of personal taxes owing | April 30, 2026 | All individuals | Arrears interest at prescribed rate + 4% |
| T1 installment payments | Mar 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Dec 15 | If tax owed >$3,000 in prior 2 years | Interest on shortfall |
Important: Self-employed individuals who file by June 15, 2026 still owe any balance due by April 30, 2026. Interest on unpaid balances begins May 1, 2026 at the current prescribed interest rate. See our personal tax filing Mississauga guide for optimization strategies before the April 30 deadline.
2026 Corporate Tax Deadlines (T2 — Corporations)
| Deadline | When (Relative to Fiscal Year-End) | CCPC Status | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2 corporate tax return due | 6 months after fiscal year-end | All corporations | 5% of balance + 1%/month |
| Corporate taxes owing (eligible CCPC) | 2 months after fiscal year-end | CCPC (active business income) | Interest from this date |
| Corporate taxes owing (other corps) | 3 months after fiscal year-end | Non-CCPC or passive income | Interest from this date |
| Monthly installments | Monthly throughout the year | Corps with >$3,000 taxes owing | 3% interest on shortfall |
| Annual Ontario Corporation Return | 6 months after fiscal year-end | Ontario corporations | Corporation can be dissolved |
December 31 fiscal year-end corporations: T2 due June 30, 2026; taxes owing Feb 28, 2026 (eligible CCPC) or March 31, 2026 (others). See our corporate tax return Canada guide for deadline planning and payment strategies.
2026 GST/HST Filing Deadlines
| Filing Frequency | Annual Revenue | Filing & Remittance Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annual filer (individual/trust) | Under $1.5M | June 15, 2026 (filing); April 30, 2026 (payment) |
| Annual filer (corporation) | Under $1.5M | 3 months after fiscal year-end |
| Quarterly filer | $1.5M to $6M | 1 month after each quarter-end |
| Monthly filer | Over $6M | 1 month after each month-end |
Remember: GST/HST registration is mandatory once you pass $30,000 in four consecutive quarters. Our HST filing Ontario guide covers the Quick Method election that can save eligible businesses $6,000+ annually.
2026 Payroll & Employer Tax Deadlines
| Obligation | Deadline 2026 | Penalty for Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payroll remittance | 15th of following month | 3–10% penalty on amount |
| T4 slips to employees | February 28, 2026 | $25–$2,500 per slip; $100 minimum |
| T4 summary filing | February 28, 2026 | 5% of total remittances |
| T5 (investment income) to recipients | February 28, 2026 | $25–$2,500 per slip |
| T3 (trust) filing | 90 days after trust year-end | $25/day; min $100 |
| WSIB annual reconciliation | March 31, 2026 | WSIB penalties apply |
2026 RRSP, TFSA & Investment Account Deadlines
- RRSP 2025 contribution deadline: March 2, 2026 — contributions made after this date apply to your 2026 tax year, not 2025. See our RRSP contribution guide for optimization strategies including the Home Buyers’ Plan ($60,000 limit)
- TFSA contribution room 2026: $7,000 — cumulative room since 2009 for age-18+ Canadians who have never contributed: $102,000
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA) 2026 limit: $8,000 — lifetime maximum $40,000; deductible like RRSP, grows tax-free like TFSA
- T1135 Foreign Asset Report — April 30, 2026 for individuals; if you own foreign assets (stocks, real estate, bank accounts) exceeding $100,000 CAD at any point in 2025
2026 SR&ED Filing Deadlines
If your business conducts scientific research or experimental development, the SR&ED tax credit Canada claim must be filed within 18 months of your fiscal year-end. For a December 31, 2025 fiscal year-end: SR&ED deadline is June 30, 2027. Missing this deadline means losing the claim entirely — no extensions are available.
Key 2026 Tax Deadlines Quick Reference
| Date | Obligation |
|---|---|
| Feb 28, 2026 | T4/T5 slips issued; T4 summary filed |
| Mar 2, 2026 | RRSP contribution deadline (2025 tax year) |
| Mar 15, 2026 | Personal installment payment (Q1) |
| Mar 31, 2026 | WSIB annual reconciliation |
| Apr 30, 2026 | T1 personal tax return + balance due; GST annual payment (individuals) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | T1 self-employed filing deadline; personal installment Q2 |
| Jun 15, 2026 | GST/HST annual filing (self-employed) |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Personal installment payment (Q3) |
| Dec 15, 2026 | Personal installment payment (Q4) |
| 6 months after FYE | T2 corporate return; Ontario Annual Return |
| 2–3 months after FYE | Corporate taxes owing |
What Happens If You Miss a Tax Deadline?
CRA’s penalty regime escalates quickly. A $50,000 tax balance filed 3 months late would incur:
- Late-filing penalty: 5% = $2,500
- Plus 1% per month for 3 months = $1,500
- Interest at prescribed rate (currently ~7% annually) on the balance = $875
- Total penalty + interest: $4,875 for a 3-month delay
If you can’t pay by the deadline, a CRA payment plan can stop the compounding — but the deadline itself must still be met to avoid the late-filing penalty. Filing on time (even if you can’t pay) saves the 5% + 1%/month penalty immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t pay my taxes by April 30, 2026?
File on time regardless of your ability to pay. The late-filing penalty (5% + 1%/month) is separate from the interest on unpaid balances. Filing on time eliminates the late-filing penalty; interest on the balance continues but is far less costly than the combined penalty + interest. Then contact a Mississauga CPA to negotiate a CRA payment plan.
Do corporations and individuals have the same tax deadlines?
No — corporate deadlines are tied to your fiscal year-end, not the calendar year. A corporation with a March 31 fiscal year-end files its T2 by September 30 and owes taxes by May 31 (eligible CCPC) or June 30. Only individuals and trusts use fixed calendar-year dates for the most part. See our corporate tax planning guide for fiscal year-end selection strategies.
How far back can CRA reassess my tax returns?
CRA has three years from the date of the original assessment to reassess a return for most individuals and CCPCs. There is no time limit for reassessments involving fraud, negligence, or carelessness. Large corporations face a four-year normal reassessment period. See our CRA audit guide for what triggers reassessments and how to respond.
Is the June 15 self-employed filing deadline also a payment extension?
No — this is the most dangerous misconception in Canadian tax. June 15 extends the FILING deadline only. Any balance owing is still due April 30. Interest begins accruing May 1 on unpaid amounts, even if you file on time in June. Self-employed Canadians who expect to owe should calculate their approximate balance and pay by April 30 to avoid interest charges.
Never Miss Another Tax Deadline
Pathak Professional Corporation provides proactive tax calendar reminders, deadline management, and year-round bookkeeping services in Mississauga to keep your business compliant and penalty-free. Whether you need personal tax filing or full small business accounting, we have you covered.
Call 437-872-7399 or email info@pathakcpa.ca. 48 Village Centre Place, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1V9.
