Income tax return must be filed by April 30 of the calendar year following the taxation year in question or, if taxpayer or his/her spouse is reporting business income, by June 15.
For example, Income Tax Return for 2025 must be filed on or before:
- April 30, 2026;
- June 15, 2026, if taxpayer or his/her spouse is reporting business income.
- However, if there is a balance of income tax payable for 2025, it must be paid by April 30, 2026. Otherwise, interest will be calculated on the unpaid balance.
- Interest on outstanding balance capitalized on daily basis from the last day.
Penalties may apply if:
- If an income tax return is filed late, a 5% penalty applies to the balance not paid by the deadline. In addition, an extra 1% penalty is charged for each full month the return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months.
- A $100 penalty applies for omitting information on a prescribed form. For example, in the case of form TP 1086. R.23.12-V (Costs Incurred for Work on an Immovable), the penalty is $200 or more.
- However, no penalty will be charged for omitting information about someone else’s identity—such as name, date of birth, address, occupation, Social Insurance Number, Québec enterprise number, or QST registration number—if the taxpayer could not obtain it despite their best efforts. In such cases, the other person is liable for a penalty for failing to provide the required information.
- An additional 10% per year interest, compounded daily, will be charged on top of the regular interest on amounts owing if:
- The individual's payment is less than 75% of the amount owed.
- The corporation's payment is less than 90% of the amount owed.
For an individual, instalment payments are remittances made to cover a portion of their income tax for the current year, contributions to the Québec Pension Plan and the health services fund, their health contribution, and the premiums payable under the Québec Prescription Drug Insurance Plan and the Québec Parental Insurance Plan. For a corporation, instalment payments are made to cover a portion of the corporation’s income tax for the current year, as well as tax on capital or compensation tax (in the case of a financial institution). If a mandatory disclosure form is not duly completed and filed by the deadline, Revenu Québec (MRQ) may exercise its assessment powers at any time to address the tax consequences resulting from undisclosed tax planning schemes. In addition, a penalty of at least $10,000 may be imposed, with $1,000 per day added from the second day the form is late, up to a maximum of $100,000. The penalty system targets both the taxpayer participating in an abusive tax planning scheme and the promoter of the scheme. A promoter may be liable for a penalty equal to 100% of the amount they received or are entitled to receive from the scheme.
| Description | Federal (CRA) | Quebec (Revenu Québec) |
|---|---|---|
| Late-filing penalty | 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% of the balance owing for each full month the return is late (up to a maximum of 12 months). | 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% of the balance owing for each full month the return is late (up to a maximum of 12 months). |
| Repeat late-filing penalty | If you were charged a late-filing penalty in any of the previous three years and received a demand to file, the penalty increases to 10% of the balance owing, plus 2% per month (up to 20 months). | If you were charged a late-filing penalty in any of the previous three years, the penalty increases to 10% of the balance owing, plus 2% per month (up to 20 months). |
| Interest on unpaid balance | Daily compounded interest charged on any unpaid amount starting the day after the due date. | Daily compounded interest charged on any unpaid amount starting the day after the due date. |
| Due date for individuals | April 30 of the following year. | April 30 of the following year. |
| Due date for self-employed | June 15 of the following year, but any balance owing must be paid by April 30. | June 15 of the following year, but any balance owing must be paid by April 30. |
| Request for cancellation or waiver | Possible under the Taxpayer Relief Program (if late filing due to extraordinary circumstances such as illness or disaster). | Possible under the Tax Fairness Measure (if late filing due to exceptional circumstances). |
Cancellation of Penalties, 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 |
|
|
| Eligibility | Applies to individuals, corporations, and trusts who were unable to meet tax obligations for reasons beyond their control. | Applies to taxpayers unable to meet obligations due to verified hardship, RQ errors, or exceptional circumstances. |
| How to Apply | Submit Form RC4288 – Request for Taxpayer Relief or write a detailed letter to CRA. | Send a letter or submit one of the following:
|
| Supporting Documentation | Provide evidence such as medical reports, death certificates, or proof of disaster or financial hardship. | Provide supporting documents (medical records, financial statements, death certificates, etc.) to strengthen 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 | Explain clearly how the circumstances prevented compliance and describe corrective actions taken. | Explain how circumstances prevented compliance and outline steps taken to resolve the issue. |
A taxpayer can apply for the cancellation of interest, penalties, or charges required under tax law in the following specific situation: Based on a comprehensive financial review, the taxpayer is unable to repay a tax debt that includes interest, penalties, or charges.
Posted on 26 November 2025