T1 Filing Deadline 2026: April 30 Is Not a Suggestion

Key takeaways

• The T1 filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2026
• Self-employed individuals and their spouses have until June 15, 2026 — but any balance owing is still due April 30
• Late-filing penalty is 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% per month for up to 12 months
• Interest accrues on unpaid amounts from May 1, 2026 at the prescribed rate plus 4%
• File on time even if you cannot pay — the late-filing penalty is separate from interest on unpaid tax

The CRA T1 filing deadline for the 2025 tax year is April 30, 2026. For most Canadians, missing this date triggers an immediate 5% penalty on any balance owing, plus 1% per month after that. Filing on time — even if you cannot pay the full balance — eliminates the late-filing penalty entirely.

Who has until June 15

Self-employed individuals and their cohabiting spouse or common-law partner have until June 15, 2026 to file their 2025 T1 returns. This extension covers the filing of the return only. Any balance owing must still be paid by April 30, 2026 to avoid interest.

If a self-employed person owes $3,000 and pays it on June 1 rather than April 30, the CRA will charge interest on $3,000 from May 1 to June 1 at the prescribed rate. The return itself, filed by June 15, is not late.

Penalties for late filing

If you owe money and file late, the penalty is 5% of the balance owing when you file, plus 1% for each full month the return is late (up to 12 months). On a $10,000 balance, that is $500 immediately plus $100 for every month you delay.

Repeated late filing increases the penalty. If you were assessed a failure-to-file penalty in any of the three preceding tax years, the rate doubles: 10% of the balance owing plus 2% per month (up to 20 months).

When there is no balance owing

If you are owed a refund or have a nil balance, there is no monetary penalty for filing late. However, you will not receive your refund, and any GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, or other income-tested payments that depend on your filed income will stop or be miscalculated until the CRA receives your return.

Filing an extension or instalment

Canada does not have an automatic extension system like the U.S. The only way to avoid the late-filing penalty is to file by the deadline. If you cannot complete your return in time, file a best estimate and then file a T1-ADJ amendment later. Pay any estimated balance by April 30 to stop interest from accruing.

Quarterly instalment payers are generally not subject to April 30 balance-owing interest if their instalments were made correctly throughout 2025. Check your 2024 Notice of Assessment for your required 2025 instalment amounts.