Every year I meet self-employed Canadians who filed on time and still got an interest bill from the Canada Revenue Agency. The reason is almost always the same: they confused a CRA filing deadline with a CRA payment deadline. Here are the CRA tax deadlines for self-employed Canadians that matter most, and the costly mistakes to avoid.
Self-Employed Tax Deadline: June 15 Is for Filing, April 30 Is for Paying
If you’re self-employed, or your spouse or common-law partner is, you have until June 15 to file your personal income tax and benefit return. For the 2025 tax year, that was June 15, 2026.
But any balance owing is still due on April 30. The extra six weeks apply to the paperwork, not the bill. If you haven’t paid by April 30, the CRA charges interest, compounded daily, starting May 1, even if you file well before June 15. (CRA: important dates for individuals)
What to do: estimate what you owe by mid-April and pay it by April 30. If you overpay, the CRA refunds the difference when you file. For your 2026 return, that means paying by April 30, 2027 and filing by June 15, 2027.
CRA Quarterly Tax Instalments: March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15
Employees have tax deducted from every paycheque. When you’re self-employed, nobody does that for you, so the CRA may require quarterly tax instalments.
Generally, you must pay instalments if your net tax owing is more than $3,000 in the current year and in either of the two previous years ($1,800 in Quebec). The CRA sends instalment reminders with suggested amounts. Missed or late instalments trigger instalment interest, so treat the four dates like rent. (CRA tax tips for the self-employed)
CRA Late-Filing Penalties Add Up Quickly
If you owe tax and file late, the CRA charges a penalty of 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% for each full month the return is late, up to 12 months. If you were also charged a late-filing penalty in any of the three previous years, the penalty can double.
Even if you can’t pay in full, file on time. Filing stops the penalty from growing, and you can arrange a payment plan for the balance.
Payroll Deadlines for Small Businesses With Employees
Once you pay staff, new dates apply. Payroll source deductions are remitted on a schedule the CRA assigns, and T4 slips for the previous year must be filed and given to employees by the last day of February. Late remittances carry their own penalties.
How Long to Keep Business Records in Canada
The CRA generally requires you to keep business records and supporting documents for six years from the end of the tax year they relate to: receipts, invoices, bank statements, mileage logs and contracts. Clear, complete digital copies are acceptable.
Self-Employed Tax Calendar for Canada
- Last day of February: T4 slips due (if you have employees)
- March 15: first quarterly instalment
- April 30: balance owing for the previous year
- June 15: personal tax return due for self-employed filers; second instalment
- September 15: third instalment
- December 15: fourth instalment
If your revenue is growing, also check whether you’ve crossed the $30,000 GST/HST registration threshold, which adds its own filing deadlines.
The Habit That Prevents Most CRA Problems
Put a fixed percentage of every payment you receive into a separate savings account for tax. When April 30 arrives, the money is already there. It’s the single habit that separates calm tax seasons from stressful ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the tax deadline for self-employed people in Canada?
Self-employed individuals and their spouses or common-law partners must file by June 15. Any balance owing must be paid by April 30 to avoid interest.
Do I pay interest if I file by June 15 but pay after April 30?
Yes. The CRA charges daily compound interest on any unpaid balance starting May 1, even if your return is filed on time by June 15.
Who has to pay CRA tax instalments?
Generally, you must pay quarterly instalments if your net tax owing is more than $3,000 in the current year and in either of the two previous years ($1,800 in Quebec).
What are the CRA instalment due dates?
Quarterly instalments are due March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the Canada Revenue Agency or a qualified professional.
Need help with your CRA filings? Wealth Street Services works with self-employed Canadians and small businesses across Ontario. Contact Gur Sian.
About the author: Gur Sian, MBA, CPA, is a Brampton, Ontario entrepreneur and the CEO of Wealth Street Services Inc. (accounting, tax, financial planning and investment management) and The Elev8 Media Inc. (digital marketing and video production). He also operates Sian Real Estate Inc.
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