Here is your income tax deadline guide for the upcoming tax season!

Canada’s tax season has a few key dates you absolutely don’t want to miss. Missing deadlines can result in interest charges, late-filing penalties, and interruption of benefit payments like the GST/HST credit or Canada Child Benefit (CCB). 

 RRSP Contribution Deadline – Monday, March 2, 2026

• RRSP contributions are a tax deduction on your tax return.  Amounts contributed during the tax year or within the first 60-days of the year following will be deducted from total income and act as a tax deferral

 Netfile is closed January 30, 2026 for maintenance.  It will reopen on February 23, 2026.  This is when we can start filing taxes.

 Personal Tax Filing – Individuals

•  Deadline - Thursday, April 30, 2026

• This is the deadline to file your personal income tax if you are not self-employed.

• Any balances owing are due on April 30th as well.

 Personal Tax Filing – Self-Employed Individuals

•  Deadline – Monday, June 15, 2026

• It is important to note that we can file prior to June 15, BUT, any balances owing are due prior to April 30th

• A spouse/common-law partner of a self-employed individual can also file prior to June 15th

 Instalment Payments – for Self-Employed individuals for taxpayers that owe balances exceeding certain thresholds

•  March 16, 2026 – First quarterly instalment

• June 15, 2026 – Second quarterly instalment

• September 15, 2026 - Third quarterly instalment

• December 15, 2026 - Fourth quarterly instalment

 Tips to Avoid Penalties

•  File early to avoid any rush or delays and to help ensure benefit payments continue without disruption

• Pay what you can if you’re short – any payment made to a balance owing will help reduce interest

• If you miss a deadline, file as soon as possible!  Penalties and interest can snowball fast if you continuously file late.  If you have missed filing returns for over three years, you also lose the eligibility to claim some credits. 

 Here is a quick snapshot of the above dates for 2026

• Netfile                                                              Opens February 23, 2026

• RRSP contribution                                         March 2, 2026

• Personal tax filine & payments due        April 30, 2026

• Self-employed filing                                     June 15, 2026

• Tax instalments (2026)                                March 16, June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15

Staying on top of these key dates will help make your 2026 tax season smoother and stress-free!  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!