Income Tax Filing Deadlines, Penalties, and Interest

Income Tax Return Filing Deadlines

Filing your income tax return on time helps you avoid penalties and interest charges. The filing deadline depends on whether you or your spouse report business income.

General Filing Deadline
Income tax returns must be filed by April 30 of the calendar year following the taxation year.

If You or Your Spouse Reports Business Income
The filing deadline is June 15 of the following year.

Example – 2025 Income Tax Return

File on or before April 30, 2026.
If you or your spouse reports business income, file on or before June 15, 2026.
If there is a balance owing, it must still be paid by April 30, 2026.
Interest is charged on any unpaid balance and is compounded daily.

Late-Filing Penalties

If your income tax return is filed after the deadline, penalties may apply.

A 5% penalty is charged on the unpaid balance.
An additional 1% of the unpaid balance is charged for each full month the return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Penalties for Missing Required Information

A $100 penalty applies for omitting information on a prescribed form.
For Form TP1086.R.23.12-V (Costs Incurred for Work on an Immovable), the penalty is $200 or more.
No penalty applies for missing another person's identifying information if it could not be obtained despite reasonable efforts.
In such cases, the other person may be liable for failing to provide the required information.

Additional Interest on Amounts Owing

An additional 10% annual interest, compounded daily, may apply in addition to the regular interest if instalment payments are insufficient.

Individuals

Applies when instalment payments are less than 75% of the amount owed.
Instalments may include income tax, Québec Pension Plan contributions, Health Services Fund contributions, health contribution, Québec Prescription Drug Insurance Plan premiums, and Québec Parental Insurance Plan premiums.

Corporations

Applies when instalment payments are less than 90% of the amount owed.
Instalments may include corporate income tax, tax on capital, and compensation tax for financial institutions.

Mandatory Disclosure Penalties

If a mandatory disclosure form is not properly completed and filed by the deadline, Revenu Québec may assess the tax consequences of the undisclosed tax planning scheme at any time.

Minimum penalty of $10,000.
An additional $1,000 per day starting from the second day the form is late.
Maximum penalty of $100,000.
The penalty applies to both taxpayers participating in an abusive tax planning scheme and promoters of the scheme.
A promoter may be liable for a penalty equal to 100% of the amount received or entitled to receive from the scheme.

Example – Filing Three Months Late

Federal and Québec balance owing: $5,000

Description	Federal (CRA)	Québec (Revenu Québec)
Base penalty (5%)	$250	$250
Monthly penalty (1% × 3 months)	$150	$150
Total Penalty	$400	$400

CRA and Revenu Québec Comparison

Description	Federal (CRA)	Québec (Revenu Québec)
Late-filing penalty	5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month late (maximum 12 months).	5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month late (maximum 12 months).
Repeat late-filing penalty	10% of the balance owing plus 2% per month (maximum 20 months) if a late-filing penalty was charged within the previous three years and a demand to file was issued.	10% of the balance owing plus 2% per month (maximum 20 months) if a late-filing penalty was charged within the previous three years.
Interest on unpaid balance	Daily compounded interest on unpaid balances.	Daily compounded interest on unpaid balances.
Individual filing deadline	April 30	April 30
Self-employed filing deadline	June 15 (balance owing due April 30).	June 15 (balance owing due April 30).
Relief provisions	Taxpayer Relief Program.	Tax Fairness Measure.

Cancellation of Penalties and Interest

Description	Federal (CRA)	Québec (Revenu Québec)
Program Name	Taxpayer Relief Program	Tax Fairness Measure (MR-94.1-V and related forms)
Purpose	Allows the CRA to cancel or waive penalties and interest under exceptional circumstances.	Allows Revenu Québec to cancel or waive penalties, interest, or charges in special situations.
Common Reasons for Relief	Extraordinary circumstances (illness, disaster, death). CRA delay or error. Financial hardship.	Financial hardship based on a full financial review. Errors made by Revenu Québec. Exceptional circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control (flood, fire, illness, death, postal strike, etc.).
Eligibility	Applies to individuals, corporations, and trusts who were unable to meet their tax obligations for reasons beyond their control.	Applies to taxpayers unable to meet obligations due to verified hardship, Revenu Québec errors, or exceptional circumstances.
How to Apply	Submit Form RC4288 – Request for Taxpayer Relief or write a detailed letter to the CRA.	Send a letter or submit one of the following: MR-94.1-V (general tax laws). MR-94.1.R-V (restaurant sales summaries). FP-4288-V (GST/HST- and QST-related charges).
Supporting Documentation	Provide evidence such as medical reports, death certificates, or proof of disaster or financial hardship.	Provide supporting documents such as medical records, financial statements, death certificates, or other relevant evidence to support the request.
Decision Process	CRA reviews each request individually. Decisions are discretionary.	Revenu Québec reviews each request on a case-by-case basis.
Key Considerations	Clearly explain how the circumstances prevented compliance and describe the corrective actions taken.	Explain how the circumstances prevented compliance and outline the steps taken to resolve the issue.

A taxpayer may apply for the cancellation of interest, penalties, or other charges required under tax law when, based on a comprehensive financial review, they are unable to repay a tax debt that includes interest, penalties, or charges.