With tax season underway, business owners are starting to sort receipts, review expenses, and get their books ready. One of the first questions many ask is when Canadian taxes are due.

The business tax filing deadline in Canada varies based on your business structure. Small businesses that operate as sole proprietorships or partnerships have different filing deadlines from corporations.

In this article, we’ll highlight the tax deadlines for 2026, explain what happens if you file your taxes late, and review the GST/HST and QST (if in Québec) return filing and payment deadlines.

• When are Canadian taxes due for 2026?
• Personal income tax deadlines
• Small business tax deductions
• Corporate tax filing deadlines
• GST/HST and QST (if in Québec) filing and payment deadlines
• What happens if I file my taxes late?
• Stay ahead of tax season with QuickBooks
• Frequently asked questions

When are Canadian taxes due for 2026?

Personal income tax deadlines

Every year, all Canadians are required to fill out and file a personal income tax return. This is where you enter your income and expenses, and claim any tax credits for which you’re eligible.

Key personal income tax deadlines for 2026:

• Filing deadline: April 30, 2026
• Payment deadline: April 30, 2026

For 2026, the date does not fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or statutory holiday, so the standard deadline applies. If in any year, the date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, applications and payments are considered on time as long as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receives them by the following business day.

Small business tax deductions

As a self-employed individual, you’ll need to keep 2 key tax deadlines in mind:

• Filing deadline: June 15, 2026
• Payment deadline for any owed taxes: April 30, 2026

These 2 dates matter because many self-employed taxpayers file later but still need to pay any balance they owe by April 30.

You may be wondering which self-employed tax deductions you’re eligible for. There are various tax write-offs you can claim, such as your home office, vehicle expenses, advertising, and marketing, to name a few.

While an accountant can help you identify any small business deductions you’re eligible for, tools like QuickBooks offer support by tracking expenses and filing small business taxes throughout the year.

Corporate tax filing deadlines

Business owners who register their business as a corporation can choose their own tax year, provided it's not longer than 53 weeks after their incorporation date. Simply put, a tax year is a corporation’s fiscal period, which varies from business to business. As a result, every corporation has its own filing and payment deadlines.

Key corporate deadlines for 2026:

• Filing deadline: 6 months after the corporation’s fiscal year-end
• Payment deadline for any owed taxes: Usually 2 months after year-end.

If the fiscal year ends on the last day of a month, the return is due on the last day of the sixth month. For mid-month fiscal year-ends, returns are due on the same calendar day 6 months later. For example, a fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, is due September 30, 2026

To avoid interest charges, you'll have to pay corporate taxes by the applicable deadline. Also, keep in mind that some eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) may qualify for a 3-month payment window.

GST/HST and QST (if in Québec) filing and payment deadlines

If your business collects provincial sales tax (whether it’s PST, GST, or HST and QST (if in Québec) when you sell goods or services, your filing and payment deadlines depend on whether you report monthly, quarterly, or annually. The CRA sets different timelines for each reporting period.

Key sales tax deadlines for 2026:

• Monthly or quarterly reporting: Filing and payment due 1 month after the end of the reporting period
• Annual reporting: Filing and payment due 3 months after the fiscal year-end

What happens if I file my taxes late?

Tax returns must be postmarked or filed electronically by the deadline given. If you’ve missed the boat on filing your tax return, the CRA can charge you penalties and interest.

If you’re expecting a GST/HST and QST (if in Québec) refund or rebate, it will be held back until you file your taxes. What’s more, if your business operates as a sole proprietorship or partnership, any personal income tax refund you’re expecting will also be put on hold.

Be sure to mark the tax deadlines in your calendar so you remember to file your tax return on time. If you’re unsure how to file business taxes in Canada, the CRA provides several online filing options that can make the process easier.

Stay ahead of tax season with QuickBooks

Staying organized for tax season starts with keeping your books updated. The next step is knowing when Canadian business taxes are due so you can plan ahead.

Stay ahead of tax deadlines and keep your business on track with the powerful tools from QuickBooks. Whether you need help tracking business operating expenses, maximizing small business deductions, or filing business taxes, QuickBooks has you covered.

Explore QuickBooks' plans today to simplify the way you manage your business taxes.