Personal income tax returns - Due date - Peter Kupovics, CPA, CMA, MBA

Personal income tax returns, except for those of self-employed individuals, are normally due by April 30th, as is any amount owing. Penalties and interest may be charged for late returns or late payments.

If you are filing online, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sometimes allows a grace period for taxpayers who may experience delays in submitting their return online. Any amount owing is still expected to be paid by April 30th to avoid any penalties. See the CRA home page for more information. You can Netfile your tax return online until September 30th, but it will be considered late if filed after the due date.

Self-employed individuals have until June 15th to file their personal tax returns, but any amounts owing must still be paid by April 30th.

The Income Tax Act specifies the due dates above as April 30th and June 15th. The Interpretation Act s. 26 indicates that when the due date falls on a holiday, then the due date will be considered to be the next day that is not a holiday. The Interpretation Act s. 35(1) defines “holiday” by listing the applicable statutory holidays, and indicates that Sunday is considered a holiday. According to the Interpretation Act, Saturday is not considered a holiday. However, the CRA information on important dates for individuals indicates that “When a due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday, we consider your payment to be paid on time or your return to be filed on time, if we receive it or if it is postmarked on the next business day.”

Many CRA offices stay open until midnight on the personal income tax return filing due date to accept returns.

Personal income tax returns – Due date

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