As the calendar turns toward the end of 2025, and with 2026 just around the corner, it's a critical time for Canadian business owners to check their tax and investment calendar. Missing key deadlines can mean late-filing penalties, interest charges, or missed opportunities for retirement savings or deductions. Below is a practical guide to what to watch for, and when.
Personal & Self-Employed Income Tax Deadlines 2025
- For most Canadians (i.e., employees, investors, or business-owners without self-employment income), the deadline to file a 2025 personal income tax return (T1) and pay any balance owing is April 30, 2026.
- If you (or your spouse/common-law partner) carried on business or are self-employed, you get an extended filing deadline: June 15, 2026. However, any tax owing must still be paid by April 30, 2026 to avoid interest and penalties.
For business owners operating as sole proprietors or with side businesses, this “two-date” structure is especially relevant: pay early (April 30), but exercise until June 15 to gather your records and file. Registered Savings & Retirement Planning — RRSP Deadline 2025 If you plan to contribute to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and claim the deduction for the 2025 tax year, you have until March 2, 2026 to make that contribution. That makes the early winter and first two months of 2026 a natural time to evaluate retirement savings strategy, especially if your taxable income fluctuates year to year. Your contribution limit for 2025 is 18% of your earned income from 2024, up to a maximum of $32,490. Corporate Tax (T2) Deadlines — For Incorporated Businesses For incorporated businesses, the deadlines depend on the corporation’s fiscal year-end:
- The corporate income tax return (T2) is due six months after the corporation’s fiscal year-end. So if your corporation has a December 31, 2025 year-end, the return must be filed by June 30, 2026.
- Payment of any corporate tax owing is generally due two months after year-end (i.e., by February 28, 2026, for a December 31, 2025 year-end). However, for a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) claiming the small business deduction (SBD), the payment deadline may be extended to three months after year-end (i.e., March 31, 2026) in certain cases.
If your corporation uses a non–December 31 fiscal year, adjust accordingly. The six-month and two- (or three-) month rules still apply based on your fiscal year-end. Payroll, Slips & Information Returns (T4, T4A, T5, etc.) If your business has employees or issues dividends/interest, don’t forget the administrative deadlines:
- For the previous calendar year, employer payroll slips (T4), pension or retirement slips (T4A), and investment-income slips (T5) generally must be prepared and filed by February 28 of the following year.
- Missing these slip deadlines can cause delays or complications for employees, shareholders, or investors reporting their personal income, so mark them early in your year-end checklist.
GST/HST, Payroll Remittance, Instalments & Other Regular Remits Business owners should also keep an eye on regular remittance deadlines, which vary depending on your remitter type and reporting frequency. This includes:
- GST/HST filings and payments — frequency depends on whether you are monthly, quarterly or annually registered.
- Payroll source-withholding remittances — your remitter type (based on withholding history) determines whether you remit monthly, semi-monthly, or more frequently.
- For corporations that require instalment payments, ensuring your instalment schedule is up to date helps avoid underpayment penalties.
Staying on top of these recurring obligations is often more critical than the annual filing dates. Why This Year-End Review is Especially Important for 2025 → 2026 With the swing from 2025 into 2026, business owners may face a mix of personal, corporate, and remittance deadlines in a relatively short span — especially those who run both incorporated and unincorporated operations or mix personal and corporate tax planning. Additionally, strategic opportunities exist: using the early months of 2026 to contribute to RRSPs, plan corporate tax payments, and ensure payroll and GST/HST compliance before the filing season begins. Failing to meet even one deadline can trigger interest, penalties, or administrative headaches, so it’s best to plan ahead, use a calendar or checklist, and coordinate with your accountant or CPA to ensure everything is covered. Practical Tips for Business Owners to Stay on Track
- Mark all relevant dates in your calendar now: April 30 (personal tax payment), June 15 (self-employed return), March 2 (RRSP), February 28 (T4/T5 slips), corporate filing/payment deadlines depending on fiscal year-end.
- If you operate multiple business entities (e.g., a corporation + a personal side business), treat each separately and consider creating a “tax folder” for each entity.
- Don’t wait until the last minute. For corporations, financial statements often take time. For personal returns, collecting slips, business income/expense data, and RRSP receipts can be tedious.
- Work with a qualified tax professional or CPA firm, particularly if you operate an incorporated business, issue payroll, or have multiple income streams.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax, accounting, or legal advice. Business owners should consult with a qualified accountant or CPA to confirm deadlines and obligations applicable to their specific circumstances.
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