Updated: 04/18/12
Filing your Canadian income taxes late can cost you money. If you owe income tax and file your income tax return late, the Canada Revenue Agency will charge you a penalty and also charge interest on the unpaid amount. If you are missing information, file on time anyway to avoid penalties. You can file changes to your income tax return later.
Deadline for Filing Your Canadian Income Taxes
The deadline for filing your Canadian income taxes is midnight April 30.
Penalty for Filing Your Income Taxes Late
If you owe Canadian income tax and file your Canadian income tax return after the deadline, the Canada Revenue Agency will charge a penalty of
- five percent of the balance owing and
- one percent of the balance owing for each full month that your return is late, to a maximum of 12 months.
If you were charged a late-filing penalty in one of the previous three years and are late filing your income taxes again, the Canada Revenue Agency will charge a penalty of
- ten percent of the balance owing for the current year and
- two percent of the balance owing for each full month that your current income tax return is late, to a maximum of 20 months.
Interest Charges for Filing Your Income Taxes Late
In addition to the penalty for filing your Canadian income taxes late, the Canada Revenue Agency will also charge compound daily interest
- on any unpaid amounts owing for 2011, starting May 1, 2012 and
- on any penalties charged, starting the day after your return is due.
