2025 tax filing deadlines and penalties
Your 2025 T1 return is due April 30, 2026. Self-employed Canadians get until June 15 — but any balance owing is still due April 30. Miss the deadline with a balance and a 5% penalty applies the same day.
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Key deadlines at a glance
| Date | What is due |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | RRSP contribution deadline for 2025 deduction |
| April 30, 2026 | Filing deadline for most Canadians. Balance owing due. Late-filing penalty starts May 1. |
| June 15, 2026 | Filing deadline for self-employed individuals and their spouses/partners. Balance owing still due April 30. |
| January 29, 2027 | NETFILE closes for 2025 returns |
Payment deadline vs. filing deadline
These are two separate obligations. Filing deadline is when your completed T1 return must be submitted. Payment deadline is when any balance owing must be paid. For most Canadians, both are April 30, 2026.
For self-employed filers, the filing deadline extends to June 15, 2026 — but the payment deadline remains April 30. Interest at CRA's prescribed rate begins compounding daily from May 1 on any unpaid balance, regardless of whether you have until June 15 to file.
If April 30 falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. In 2026, April 30 is a Thursday — the deadline is April 30.
Late-filing penalty
If you file late and have a balance owing, CRA assesses a penalty of 5% of the balance owing immediately, plus 1% for each complete month late, up to 12 months. Maximum standard penalty: 17%.
If you were assessed a late-filing penalty in any of the three previous tax years (2022, 2023, or 2024) and CRA issued a formal demand to file your 2025 return, the higher repeat-offender rate applies: 10% plus 2% per complete month, up to 20 months. Maximum: 50%.
No balance owing = no late-filing penalty
The late-filing penalty is calculated on your balance owing — not on total tax. If your return shows a refund or nil balance, there is no penalty regardless of how late you file.
The penalty is assessed on the balance owing at the original deadline, not at the time you file. Paying your estimated balance on April 30 and filing later reduces the penalty base to zero — you pay only interest on any remaining unpaid amount.
Interest on overdue balances
CRA charges interest at its quarterly prescribed rate on any unpaid balance from May 1, 2026. The rate is set at the Bank of Canada overnight rate plus 4 percentage points, compounded daily.
Interest compounds on both the unpaid tax balance and on any assessed late-filing penalty. Each payment you make reduces the balance that future interest accrues on — partial payments always help.
Interest cannot be waived unless you qualify for the Taxpayer Relief Program (serious illness, natural disaster, or CRA error). See the Can't Pay guide for relief options.
Self-employed filing deadline
If you or your spouse/common-law partner had self-employment income in 2025, your filing deadline is June 15, 2026. This applies to sole proprietors, freelancers, and anyone reporting business or professional income on Form T2125.
The June 15 extension applies to filing only. Any balance owing must be paid by April 30 to avoid interest. If you are not certain of your exact tax owing, pay a conservative estimate by April 30 and top up when you file. CRA refunds overpayments automatically.
Partners in a partnership also qualify for the June 15 extension, even if the partnership has not yet filed its T5013 partnership information return.
Who must file
You are required to file a 2025 T1 return if any of the following apply:
- You have tax owing after withholdings
- CRA has sent you a request to file
- You disposed of capital property (including real estate) in 2025
- You have a Home Buyers' Plan or Lifelong Learning Plan repayment due
- You received Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) advance payments
- You were self-employed in 2025
- You want to claim or carry forward the disability tax credit, tuition credits, or other credits
Even if you are not required to file, you should file if you have any income — including part-time or seasonal work — to receive benefit payments such as the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and provincial equivalents. These benefits are calculated from your filed return.
If you can't pay
File your return on time regardless of your ability to pay. The late-filing penalty is separate from non-payment — filing stops the penalty even if you cannot pay the balance.
After filing, contact CRA at 1-888-863-8657 to set up a payment arrangement. CRA will generally negotiate a schedule based on your financial situation and may defer collection action while an arrangement is in place.
See the Can't Pay guide for full details including Taxpayer Relief, voluntary disclosures, and what not to do.
Common mistakes
Mistake
Assuming the June 15 extension applies to the balance owing
Self-employed filers get until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30. Interest accrues from May 1 regardless of your filing deadline. File by June 15 if you can, but pay your estimated balance by April 30.
Mistake
"I'm getting a refund — no rush."
There is no penalty for filing late when you have a refund, but delaying your return delays your refund and can interrupt benefit payments like the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit. CRA uses the prior-year return to calculate current-year benefits.
Mistake
Not filing because you can't afford to pay
Filing and paying are separate. File your return on time to stop the late-filing penalty from accruing. Then deal with the balance: a payment arrangement, partial payment, or taxpayer relief application can all reduce what you ultimately owe.
Quick wins
Quick win
Set a calendar reminder for April 30, 2026
The deadline is the same every year (April 30, or the next business day if it falls on a weekend). Setting a recurring annual reminder means you never miss the filing date.
Quick win
Pay an estimate if your return isn't ready
If your slips haven't arrived by April 30, pay a rough estimate of what you owe. This reduces the balance interest accrues on. Adjust after you file — any overpayment comes back as a refund.
Quick win
File even if you owe more than you can pay
Filing on time costs nothing if you can't pay. The 5% late-filing penalty only applies when you both owe money and file late. Filing immediately stops that penalty — only interest continues on the unpaid balance.
FAQ's
When is the deadline to file my 2025 tax return?
Most Canadians must file by April 30, 2026. If you or your spouse/common-law partner had self-employment income in 2025, you have until June 15, 2026 to file — but any balance owing is still due April 30. Interest starts accruing from May 1 on any unpaid amount.Do I have to file if I didn't earn income in 2025?
You're not legally required to file a return if you have no income and no taxes owing — but you should still file. Filing is the only way to receive the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and other income-tested benefits. TFSA contribution room also accumulates only from the year you file and turn 18. Filing a nil return takes minutes and keeps your benefit entitlements intact.What happens if I file late?
If you have no balance owing, there is no late-filing penalty — just file as soon as you can. If you owe tax, the penalty is 5% of the balance owing immediately, plus 1% per complete month late, up to 12 months (maximum 17%). Repeat offenders who were penalized in any of the three prior years and received a CRA demand to file face a higher rate: 10% + 2% per month up to 20 months. Interest also compounds daily on the unpaid balance from May 1.What if I can't pay what I owe?
File your return on time regardless. Filing on time stops the 5% late-filing penalty — only interest accrues on an unpaid balance, and interest is far less expensive than penalty plus interest. After filing, pay what you can and contact CRA at 1-888-863-8657 or through My Account to set up a payment arrangement. CRA is generally cooperative with taxpayers who reach out proactively.Is there a penalty if I'm getting a refund?
No. The late-filing penalty is calculated as a percentage of your balance owing. If your balance owing is $0 — whether because you're getting a refund or because you have no taxes owing — the penalty is $0. Filing late with a refund only delays your refund; there is no financial penalty. However, late filing can temporarily pause benefit payments (CCB, GST/HST credit) until your return is assessed.