Key dates for the 2027 tax season
From December 31 to June 15: every date that matters for your 2026 return, and the ones the CRA hasn't announced yet.
Your 2026 tax return is filed in 2027, but several of its deadlines fall in 2026. Here they are in order. Dates the CRA has not yet confirmed are marked as such.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026
Last day of the 2026 tax year
Last day for FHSA contributions to count toward 2026; the FHSA has no 60-day grace period. Last day for charitable donations claimed on 2026 returns. Last day to withdraw from a TFSA if you want that room back on January 1, 2027. Last day to contribute to your own RRSP if you turned 71 in 2026.
Fri, Jan 1, 2027
New TFSA room
The 2027 TFSA dollar limit is added, along with 2026 withdrawals. Not yet announced The CRA had not published the 2027 limit as of October 31, 2026. See our TFSA note.
End of February 2027
Tax slips arrive
The CRA notes that most slips (T4, T5 and others) are issued by employers and financial institutions by the end of February. If one hasn't arrived by the end of March, contact the issuer.
February 2027
Online filing opens
Not yet announced For reference, the 2026 season opened on February 23, 2026. Filing before you have every slip is a common cause of reassessments.
Mon, Mar 1, 2027
RRSP deadline for 2026
Contributions made from January 1 to March 1, 2027 (the 60th day of the year) can be deducted on your 2026 return, within your deduction limit.
March 2027
Pre-filled returns begin
The Government of Canada says that starting in March 2027, the CRA will invite 1 million eligible individuals to file using a pre-filled return in their CRA account. Invitations go to eligible people; you can't opt in.
Mon, Mar 15, 2027
First 2027 instalment
For people required to pay tax by instalments, usually because a lot of their income has no tax withheld. The later dates are June 15, September 15 and December 15.
Fri, Apr 30, 2027
Filing and payment deadline
The deadline for most people to file their 2026 return, and for everyone to pay any balance owing, including self-employed people.
Tue, Jun 15, 2027
Self-employed filing deadline
Applies if you or your spouse or common-law partner carried on a business in 2026 (with a narrow exception for tax-shelter businesses). Interest on any balance still runs from May 1. This is also the second instalment date.
The rule that catches the self-employed
June 15 is a filing deadline, not a payment deadline. The CRA is explicit: balances owing are due April 30, 2027. If you are self-employed and expect to owe, estimate and pay by April 30, then file by June 15. Paying an estimate early costs nothing; paying late accrues daily compound interest.
What late filing costs
If you owe tax and file late, the CRA's late-filing penalty is 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% for each full month the return is late, up to 12 months. That is a maximum of 17%, before interest. The penalty is higher for repeat late filers who were sent a demand to file. If you owe nothing, there is no late-filing penalty, but a late return can delay benefit payments such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit.
When a deadline falls on a weekend
The CRA considers a return or payment on time if it is received, or postmarked, by the next business day when the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday the CRA recognizes. None of the main 2027 dates above falls on a weekend.
Put these in your calendar now
- December 31, 2026: FHSA contributions, donations, any planned TFSA withdrawal.
- March 1, 2027: last RRSP contribution for your 2026 return.
- April 30, 2027: file and pay. Self-employed: pay.
- June 15, 2027: self-employed filing.
- Quarterly: instalments, if the CRA has sent you reminders.
Carnet will update this note when the CRA confirms the 2027 TFSA limit and the opening date for online filing.
Noted.
Sources
Figures in this note were checked against these sources on the date shown above.
- Government of Canada: 2027 tax deadlines for Canadian businesses and self-employed individuals
- CRA: Due dates and payment dates, personal income tax
- CRA: RRSP contribution year (60-day rule)
- CRA: Payment due dates, tax instalments for individuals
- CRA: Late-filing penalty
- CRA: What you need to know for the 2026 tax-filing season (2026 opening date, for reference)
- Government of Canada: How to file a tax return (pre-filled returns from March 2027)
This note is general education, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and figures change; confirm with the source and, where needed, a qualified professional. Terms are defined in the glossary.
