Filing your taxes on time is one of the most important responsibilities for taxpayers in Canada. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) enforces strict tax deadlines for submissions and payments. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges, while filing early ensures you receive any applicable refunds sooner.
To make tax season easier, we’ve compiled a list of the key tax deadlines for 2025.
When Can I File My Taxes in 2025?
Tax Filing Deadline for Individual Tax Returns
- April 30, 2025: The deadline for filing your 2024 tax return.
- If April 30 falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
- For early filers, the CRA’s NETFILE service opens on February 24, 2025, allowing electronic submission.
- For paper filers, ensure the return is received or postmarked by the due date. Electronic filers must submit their return by midnight local time on April 30, 2025.
Tax Filing Deadline for Self-Employed Individuals
- June 16, 2025: Self-employed taxpayers have until this date to file their tax returns (deadline extended from June 15 as it falls on a Sunday).
- Any taxes owed must still be paid by April 30, 2025, to avoid interest charges.
Key CRA Tax Deadlines in 2025
Filing Deadlines for 2024 Taxes:
- March 3, 2025: Last day to contribute to RRSPs, PRPPs, or SPPs for the 2024 tax year.
- April 30, 2025: Tax filing deadline for individual taxpayers.
- June 16, 2025: Tax filing deadline for self-employed individuals (and their spouses or common-law partners).
Payment Deadlines for 2024 Taxes:
- April 30, 2025: Deadline to pay any taxes owed to the CRA.
Business Tax Deadlines for 2025:
- June 16, 2025: Tax filing deadline for sole proprietors and partnerships (if their fiscal year aligns with the calendar year).
- Incorporated businesses must submit their returns six months after their fiscal year ends.
Tax Filing Deadlines for Final Tax Returns:
- April 30, 2025: Final return for deceased individuals who passed away between January 1 and October 31, 2024.
- Six months after death: Final return due for those who passed away between November 1 and December 31, 2024.
- June 16, 2025: If the deceased or their spouse was self-employed, the filing deadline is extended, but interest on any taxes owed starts on April 30, 2025.
Penalties for Late Tax Filing
Late Filing Penalties for Individuals:
- The CRA imposes a penalty of 5% of the balance owed plus 1% per month for up to 12 months if you file late and owe taxes.
- Interest accrues daily on unpaid amounts.
Late Filing Penalties for Self-Employed Individuals:
- Small business owners must meet payroll tax obligations and GST/HST remittances.
- 10% penalty for the first payroll deduction failure and 20% penalty for repeated failures.
- Late GST/HST remittance penalties range from 3% to 20%.
Installment Payment Deadlines
- March 15, 2025
- June 15, 2025
- September 15, 2025
- December 15, 2025
How to File Your Taxes in Canada
The CRA offers several ways to file taxes:
- Certified Tax Software (NETFILE)
- Available for Canadian residents
- Typically processed within 2 weeks
- Authorize a Representative
- Can be used by anyone
- Typically processed within 2 weeks
- Community Volunteer Tax Clinics
- Available for low-income individuals with simple tax situations
- Free of charge, typically processed within 2 weeks
- Tax Preparers (Discounters)
- Available for anyone
- Processing times vary, with immediate discounted refunds possible
- Paper Tax Returns
- Free of charge
- Processed within 8 weeks if filed on time
What If I Don’t File My Taxes on Time?
Failure to file on time can lead to interest charges, penalties, and delays in receiving benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or GST/HST credits. To avoid unnecessary costs, make sure to file your tax return before April 30, 2025. Even if you can’t pay in full, submitting your return on time will help you avoid late filing penalties.
Stay On Track With CRA Deadlines
Understanding and meeting CRA tax deadlines is essential to avoid penalties and ensure you receive your refunds or benefits promptly. Being aware of these deadlines will help you stay on top of your taxes in 2025, whether you’re an individual, self-employed, or a business owner.
Filing your taxes on time is one of the most important responsibilities for taxpayers in Canada. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) enforces strict tax deadlines for submissions and payments. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges, while filing early ensures you receive any applicable refunds sooner.
To make tax season easier, we’ve compiled a list of the key tax deadlines for 2025.
When Can I File My Taxes in 2025?
Tax Filing Deadline for Individual Tax Returns
- April 30, 2025: The deadline for filing your 2024 tax return.
- If April 30 falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
- For early filers, the CRA’s NETFILE service opens on February 24, 2025, allowing electronic submission.
- For paper filers, ensure the return is received or postmarked by the due date. Electronic filers must submit their return by midnight local time on April 30, 2025.
Tax Filing Deadline for Self-Employed Individuals
- June 16, 2025: Self-employed taxpayers have until this date to file their tax returns (deadline extended from June 15 as it falls on a Sunday).
- Any taxes owed must still be paid by April 30, 2025, to avoid interest charges.
Key CRA Tax Deadlines in 2025
Filing Deadlines for 2024 Taxes:
- March 3, 2025: Last day to contribute to RRSPs, PRPPs, or SPPs for the 2024 tax year.
- April 30, 2025: Tax filing deadline for individual taxpayers.
- June 16, 2025: Tax filing deadline for self-employed individuals (and their spouses or common-law partners).
Payment Deadlines for 2024 Taxes:
- April 30, 2025: Deadline to pay any taxes owed to the CRA.
Business Tax Deadlines for 2025:
- June 16, 2025: Tax filing deadline for sole proprietors and partnerships (if their fiscal year aligns with the calendar year).
- Incorporated businesses must submit their returns six months after their fiscal year ends.
Tax Filing Deadlines for Final Tax Returns:
- April 30, 2025: Final return for deceased individuals who passed away between January 1 and October 31, 2024.
- Six months after death: Final return due for those who passed away between November 1 and December 31, 2024.
- June 16, 2025: If the deceased or their spouse was self-employed, the filing deadline is extended, but interest on any taxes owed starts on April 30, 2025.
Penalties for Late Tax Filing
Late Filing Penalties for Individuals:
- The CRA imposes a penalty of 5% of the balance owed plus 1% per month for up to 12 months if you file late and owe taxes.
- Interest accrues daily on unpaid amounts.
Late Filing Penalties for Self-Employed Individuals:
- Small business owners must meet payroll tax obligations and GST/HST remittances.
- 10% penalty for the first payroll deduction failure and 20% penalty for repeated failures.
- Late GST/HST remittance penalties range from 3% to 20%.
Installment Payment Deadlines
- March 15, 2025
- June 15, 2025
- September 15, 2025
- December 15, 2025
How to File Your Taxes in Canada
The CRA offers several ways to file taxes:
- Certified Tax Software (NETFILE)
- Available for Canadian residents
- Typically processed within 2 weeks
- Authorize a Representative
- Can be used by anyone
- Typically processed within 2 weeks
- Community Volunteer Tax Clinics
- Available for low-income individuals with simple tax situations
- Free of charge, typically processed within 2 weeks
- Tax Preparers (Discounters)
- Available for anyone
- Processing times vary, with immediate discounted refunds possible
- Paper Tax Returns
- Free of charge
- Processed within 8 weeks if filed on time
What If I Don’t File My Taxes on Time?
Failure to file on time can lead to interest charges, penalties, and delays in receiving benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or GST/HST credits. To avoid unnecessary costs, make sure to file your tax return before April 30, 2025. Even if you can’t pay in full, submitting your return on time will help you avoid late filing penalties.
Stay On Track With CRA Deadlines
Understanding and meeting CRA tax deadlines is essential to avoid penalties and ensure you receive your refunds or benefits promptly. Being aware of these deadlines will help you stay on top of your taxes in 2025, whether you’re an individual, self-employed, or a business owner.
