Missing a CRA deadline can mean interest and penalties, even when you have done everything else right. Here are the main dates most small businesses and self-employed people in Ontario need to know. Save this page and check it often.
The main deadlines
| What | Who | Deadline |
| Payroll remittances | Employers (regular remitters) | 15th day of the month after you pay employees |
| T4 and T4A slips and summary | Employers | Last day of February |
| Personal tax: pay balance owing | Individuals, including self-employed | April 30 |
| Personal tax: file return | Most individuals | April 30 |
| Personal tax: file return | Self-employed and their spouses | June 15 (balance still due April 30) |
| Tax instalments | Individuals the CRA asks to pay instalments | March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15 |
| GST/HST return and payment | Monthly and quarterly filers | One month after each period ends |
| GST/HST return and payment | Annual filers | Generally three months after year-end |
| GST/HST (annual) | Sole proprietors with a December 31 year-end | Pay by April 30; file by June 15 |
| Corporate tax: pay balance owing | Corporations | Two months after year-end. Three months for a Canadian-controlled private corporation that claimed the small business deduction this year or last year, and whose taxable income last year was within its business limit. |
| Corporate tax instalments | Corporations required to pay instalments | Monthly, or quarterly for some small Canadian-controlled private corporations. With a December 31 year-end, the last day of each month or quarter. |
| Corporate tax return (T2) | Corporations | Within six months after year-end |
What if a deadline falls on a weekend?
When a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday recognized by the CRA, your filing or payment is generally on time if it is received or processed by the next business day.
A few things people often miss
Self-employed people have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30. Interest starts after April 30.
Payroll remittance dates depend on your remitter type, which the CRA assigns. Some new employers with small payrolls can remit quarterly instead of monthly.
Most GST/HST registrants must file their returns electronically.
A corporation must file its T2 return every year, even if it had no income or owes no tax.
The Ontario annual return is filed with the Ontario government through the Ontario Business Registry. It is separate from your T2 return, and filing your T2 does not take care of it.
Keep your records
The CRA generally requires you to keep your business records and receipts for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to. Some records, such as those for property you buy, need to be kept longer.
Three habits that help
Put every deadline that applies to you in your calendar, with a reminder two weeks before. Keep a separate bank account for your business.
Set aside the HST you collect and money for tax as you go, so payment dates are not a surprise.
How North Vista can help
We keep track of your deadlines, prepare your filings and remind you what to pay and when, so nothing is missed.
