The Bookkeeper's Notes on tax compliance and tax filing deadlines by tax type ...
everything in one place ... for work from home bookkeepers and small business owners doing their own books.
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INDEX - Small Business Compliance References for Canadian Bookkeepers
|
✔ Tax Filing Deadlines & Notes |
✔ Tax Compliance Responsibilities |
✔ Tax Rates |
✔ GST/HST Quick Method |
Once you have found thetax filing deadlines information you were looking for, I invite you toget a cup of tea, take a few moments to relax ... and discover the wealth of information on this site ... designed to be your bookkeeping resource.
For example, you may be interested in "The Rates" page which has tax compliance rates ...
... or maybe "The Tax Plan" page which is the first article in a series on small business tax planning opportunities.
Whatever your interest, I hope you enjoy your visit and come back often. :O)
Notice to Site Visitor
I developed this tax filing deadlines page as a handy reference for myself. While I do my best to ensure it is accurate and complete, I make it available for your use with the understanding that I cannot be held liable for errors and/or omissions. Please make yourself familiar with my site policies prior to relying on any of the information on this site.
One of the most common questions by employees in January and February each year is, "When do T4s come out?".
--- 2022 T4 Due Date -- T4 Deadline 2022 ---
Monday, February, 2028
Employers need to have released T4 slips to employees on or before the due date (see box above for date). Failure to do so results in hefty fines.
You may be wondering whether you can give the employee an electronic copy of the T4 instead of mailing the paper slip. CRA says yes "if you have received the employee's consent in writing or electronic format".
In CRA's Video Gallery, two webcasts you may be interested in viewing are Preparing T4 Slips and Summaries and Payroll Information for a New Small Business.
It is important to remember that for the purpose of tax filing deadlines, income is reported in the year it was paid not when the income was earned.
This applies to your payroll source deduction remittances as well as the preparation of the T4 slips.
Do not confuse this with GAAP / ASPE reporting where you accrue unpaid but earned wage income in the year the wage was earned.
If you are using an accounting software program like QuickBooks, it knows the rules and will correctly prepare the T4s provided you have entered your payroll correctly.
The easiest way to meet your tax filing deadline is to file your T4 Summary and slips online. Prior to the end of each calendar year (about the end of November), CRA sends you a letter with your online access code. WATCH for this letter and don't throw it out.
Since January 2011, you can submit up to 6 T4 slips using the T4 Web forms online by going to the CRA website and selecting T4/T5 and other returns>Filing a T4 information return> T4 Web forms.
If you still want to file by paper (available only if you have less than 50 slips), go to the Businesses tab on the CRA website and select Payroll>Completing and filing information returns. Under each section, you will find fillable forms.
Click here for more 2020/2021 Canadian Tax Season tax filing deadline dates.
Click here for information on Canadian payroll deductions and payroll tax rates.
✔ What is PIER?
✔ How to Proof CPP & EI
✔ CPP and EI exclusions
✔ How to Pay Employees with Cash
✔ Self Employed Independent Contractor vs Employee
Click here for current month tax filing deadline dates.
Click here for current payroll tax rates like EI and CPP.
Source deductions are reported on a quarterly, monthly, semi-monthly or weekly basis on form PD7A. Your reporting period is assigned by CRA based on your remitter type (discussed below). Revenue Canada mails the form ahead of your due date enabling you to meet your tax filing deadlines.
You have two options for filing online:
For small businesses, monthly filers are the most common reporting period with quarterly filers being the other common period. Currently new employers start as monthly remitters.
In 2016, as per the Federal Budget Economic Action Plan, CRA introduced quarterly remittances for new employers "with monthly withholdings of less than $1000 AND maintain a perfect compliance record in respite of their Canadian tax obligations".
When an employee is paid (not earned) determines the payroll remittance due date.
Don't confuse this with GAAP guidelines for the matching principle where you record wages when they are earned (worked) not paid.
Meet your tax filing deadline by ensuring you don't make this MISTAKE with the payroll source deductions you have collected in trust.
CRA determines your remitter type by calculating your average monthly withholding amount (AMWA). They add up all source deductions sent over the past two years divided by the numbers of payment periods over one year.
AMWA | Assigned Reporting Period | Form PD7A Filing Deadline | Payment Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Not based on AMWA* | Quarterly - new small employers | 15th of April, July, October, January | Same as filing deadline |
L.T. $3,000* | Quarterly - after 1 year | 15th of April, July, October, January | Same as filing deadline |
L.T. $25,000 ($15,000 prior to 2015) |
Monthly | 15th day of following month | Same as filing deadline |
$25,000 to $100,000 ($15,000 to $50,000 prior to 2015) |
Semi-Monthly | 25th day of same month and 10th day of following month | Same as filing deadline |
G.T. $100,000 ($50,000 prior to 2015) |
Weekly | Due 3rd work day after the period** | Same as filing deadline |
*Must have perfect payroll tax compliance history over a twelve month period to qualify. If not, you must remit monthly. If you qualify, CRA will notify you.
**Remittances must be done through a Canadian financial institution one full day prior to the due date to avoid penalty charges.
Ceridian has a number of payroll checklists that you should consider adapting for your own use to ensure you meet all your tax filing deadline obligations as an employer. They have lists for:
Their website also has an excellent small business payroll year-end guide in their resource section. While the lists are for Ceridian clients, you should be able to modify them for your purposes.
Sometimes, they move the pages around on their website. If by some chance the above link is not working, go to www.ceridian.ca and locate their resources and tools section. Hunt around in that area for "checklists and tips" and you will find it.
Improved Electronic Filing Option at CRA
Meeting tax filing deadlines just got easier with electronic filing access for small business owners. CRA now has the ability to accept electronic returns for under 50 slips. It is fast and easy to use. They have a videocast to watch if it is your first time using this service.1-6 slips uses their free software T4 Web forms.
1-70 slips uses their free software T4 Desktop application
If you are still paper filing, move out of your comfort zone and try e-filing to meet your February T4 tax filing deadlines. You'll find it here:
Requirements for meeting tax filing deadlines - Mandatory E-filing for anyone who submits more than 50 slips.
Death of Owner
The payroll information return(s) must be filed within 90 days of the death if the owner of the business dies. (Don't forget that you will have to close all CRA accounts after all final returns have been processed and paid.)
Bankruptcy
The payroll information return(s) must be filed within 30 days from the date thebusiness ceases to operate. (Note: Payroll source deductions must be remitted within 7 days from the date the business ceases.)
50 plus slipsPayroll return must be filed electronically in XML. Paper filing in not an option. (Prior to January 1, 2010, only those with 500 plus slips had to file electronically.)
T4 Late Filing --- Failure to File T4
:-( Penalty Charges :-(
This strategy definitely takes money out of your pocket and does not help you achieve your goal of putting more money in your pocket.
If you can't meet your payroll tax filing deadlines, you absolutely need to consider hiring a bookkeeper to do your payroll.
Not being tax compliant is expensive!
$100 minimum penalty - $7500 maximum penalty ... OUCH!
Please click to see the CRA website for 2020 extended income tax filing and payment dates due to COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 14, 2021, no deadlines changes have been released for 2021 ... yet.
2020 GST/HST payments
You still need to file your return on time but the payment deadline has been extended.
"The CRA will allow all businesses to defer, until the end of June 2020, any GST/HST payments or remittances that become owing on or after March 27, 2020, and before June 2020. This means that no interest will apply if your payments or remittances are made by the end of June 2020.
The deadline for businesses to file their returns is unchanged. Those who are able to, should continue to file their GST/HST returns on time reporting their net tax for the reporting period to help facilitate tax compliance and administration. However, recognizing the difficult circumstances faced by businesses, the CRA won’t impose penalties where a return is filed late provided that it is filed by June 30th."
Source: CRA website June 2020
Click here for current month tax filing deadline dates.
Your GST/HST return is paper filed on form GST34-2 E Personalized Return. The bottom portion of the form includes a line for remitting your payment. Do NOT use forms RC158 GST/HST NETFILE/TELEFILE Remittance Voucher ... or RC177 GST/HST Balance Due Remittance Voucher ... to remit your normal reporting payment. For normal reporting, use RC159 Amount Owing Remittance Voucher or use MY PAYMENT to pay online.
✔ GST/HST/PST Rate Table
by Province
✔ Online Internet Sales
✔ GST/HST Registration, A Guide
Once you are registered for GST, Revenue Canada mails the form ahead of your deadline. This enables you to meet your tax filing deadline.
Online filing is now available ... making meeting yourtax filing deadlines easier than ever. You should step outside of your comfort zone and try it if you are still filing a paper return. It's quick and easy to use. There are two ways to file online:
Since July 1, 2010, if CRA does not send you your paper form, it was because you are required to file online.
This changed again on October 19, 2015 when CRA began issuing a unique access code to file your GST/HST returns online. You can sign into the CRA website and change the code assigned to one of your choice. CRA also began mailing out only one GST 34-3 E Electronic Filing Information Sheet package for the entire year instead of each filing period. Click here to see what your annual package will contain.
The groups that must file online are registrants with annual taxable supplies of $1.5 million plus, BC or Ontario registrants with RITC requirements between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2018, and builders affected by BC and Ontario HST transitional rules.
If you fail to file in the correct format or file inaccurately, penalties will apply ... beginning after tax filing deadlines ending on or after October 1, 2010.
Not filing electronically will result in a $100 penalty. All subsequent failures result in a $250 penalty for each occurrence.
Filing inaccurately ... not reporting RITCs, grandparented housing rebates, new residential rental property rebates, grandparented housing sales subject to HST, new housing rebates assigned to builders, transitional new housing rebates and tax adjustments ... may be subject to:
When filing online (through GST/HST NETFILE or My Business Account) and a balance is owing, you have four ways to pay it:
The biggest mistake new business owners make is to use funds collected in trust to finance their business or personal lifestyle. It creates a vortex many small businesses never climb out of.
It's important to remember GST/HST funds (and payroll source deductions) are collected on behalf of the government. They are held informally in trust by your business until remitted.
Money collected in trust is payable when due. Generally you cannot negotiate repayment terms with CRA for money held in trust like you can with income tax payable.
To reduce the temptation to spend trust funds for your own personal expenses ... or to cover your business expenses, open up a savings account. At regular intervals, transfer your GST/HST collected into this savings account.
When you file your GST/HST quarterly (or annual) reports, pay (or transfer) any amounts owing from this account.
Taking this one action will ensure that you don't have huge tax amounts owing to the CRA which grow due to penalty and interest charges.
CRA can and will collect unremitted trust funds by any means allowed under federal legislation such as seizure and sale of assets, garnishments, and assessment of directors.
If after setting up the savings account you still can't resist dipping into it to finance your business or personal lifestyle, my advice is to be kind to yourself and REMOVE THE TEMPTATION by making CRA installments instead of transfers to your savings account.
Reference Source: CRA> Newsroom> Alert> 2010> Tax alert - Abuse of source deductions and GST/HST amounts held in trust
Your tax filing deadline / due date for GST/HST is determined by your reporting period. Reporting periods are determined by your annual sales ... not whether you are a corporation or a sole proprietor.
Annual Sales | Assigned Reporting Period | Optional Reporting Period | GST Filing Deadline | GST Payment Deadline | GST Installments Due (See Tip) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
L.T. 1.5 million | Annual NOT Dec 31 yrend | Monthly or Quarterly | 3 months after year-end | 3 months after year-end | One month after each of your fiscal QUARTERS |
L.T. 1.5 million | Annual Dec 31 year-end | Monthly or Quarterly | June 15 | April 30 | April 30, July 31, Oct 31, Jan 31 |
1.5 to 6 million | Quarterly | Monthly | One month after end of reporting period | Same as filing deadline | Not applicable |
G.T. 6 million | Monthly | No options | One month after end of reporting period | Same as filing deadline | Not applicable |
Each assigned reporting period has an optional reporting period that you may opt for. If you are an annual filer, you should consider opting to file quarterly so you can claim your offsetting ITCs faster. Why?
When your net sales tax in a year is $3,000 or more, an annual filer must make equal quarterly installments (reporting them on line 110 of your GST return) in the next year ... without claiming the offsetting ITCs.
Small business owners often intermingle the GST funds collected with their own (instead of holding them in a separate account). Then they end up using the GST funds collected in trust to meet their cash flow requirements ... and get themselves in hot water when the GST funds collected are not available to remit to CRA come filing time.
By opting for a more frequent reporting period, you are less likely to think of the money as your own ... and less tempted to spend the funds held in reserve for the government ... with the added bonus of claiming your ITCs four times a year instead of once a year. That's why my preference is to reduce your risk by filing quarterly.
I've seen some business owners get into financial trouble by failing to meet their tax filing deadlines ... and falling behind on their GST/HST remittances because ... they spent the GST/HST funds. There was no intentional duplicity on their part. It's just that they were positive they had enough input tax credits (ITCs) to offset the payment owing.
If December 31 is your year-end date ... and you are an annual filer, consider this tip.
To meet the tax filing deadlines requirement and avoid interest charges, pay your GST/HST owing by the Balance Due Date of April 30th, even if you are filing by the June 15th deadline ...
Don't know if you are going to owe a payment or get a refund?
Your bookkeeper should be able to provide a fairly accurate ESTIMATE if your books are up-to-date. (You are getting your books done at least quarterly aren't you? If not, why not?)
If you want to switch from annual filing to quarterly filing (so you can recover your ITCs throughout the year instead of just once a year), it must be done before the end February. Complete Form GST20 Election for GST/HST Reporting Period ... or it can be done over the phone with a CRA representative.
Read more about GST/HST tax compliance here.
COVID-19 UPDATE - Annual filers
"Any GST/HST instalment payments due on or after March 27, 2020, and before June 2020 can be deferred until the end of June 2020. No interest will apply if the instalment payment amounts are paid by the end of June 2020."
Source: CRA website
Between July 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013, only Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island charge PST. As of April 1, 2013, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the remaining provinces that have not moved to HST, opting to retain PST.
Background Information:
BC and Ontario stopped charging PST when HST began on July 1, 2010. The transitional rules went into effect May 1, 2010.
The final PST return in BC and Ontario was due July 23, 2010. Supplemental returns should have been filed no later than January 23, 2011.
HST filing due dates and deadlines are the same as GST filing due dates. Your HST is filed on the same report as your GST.
On January 1, 2013 Quebec moves to their version of HST with P.E.I transitioning to HST on April 1, 2013.
B.C. however, held a referendum on the HST in July 2011. HST was voted out so PST returned to B.C. on April 1, 2013. You need to know there is now more than one BC PST rate.
To see an up-to-date summary of sales tax by province and territory, click here.
Click here for current month tax filing deadline dates.
If you are new to PST, check out my chat on PST Basics to get you up and running.
Prior to July 1, 2010, your BC PST tax filing deadlines and due dates were determined as shown in the chart below. BC reverted back to this structure effective April 1, 2013 ... EXCEPT the due dates now tie to the GST/HST due dates.
You can find more information on B.C.'s transition back to PST by clicking on the PST News link found in The Current News button on the site navigation bar.
Annual Taxes Remitted | Assigned Reporting Period | Optional Reporting Period* | OLD PST Filing Deadline | NEW PST Filing Deadline | PST Payment Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
L.T. $3,000 | Monthly | Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Annually | 23rd day following reporting period | One month after end of reporting period - same as GST/HST | Same as filing deadline |
$3,001 to $6,000 | Monthly | Quarterly, Semi-Annually | 23rd day following reporting period | One month after end of reporting period - same as GST/HST | Same as filing deadline |
$6,001 to $12,000 | Monthly | Quarterly | 23rd day following reporting period | One month after end of reporting period - same as GST/HST | Same as filing deadline |
G.T. $12,000 | Monthly | No Options | 23rd day following reporting period | One month after end of reporting period - same as GST/HST | Same as filing deadline |
Seasonal Businesses | Customized by Ministry | -- | 23rd day following reporting period | One month after end of reporting period - same as GST/HST | Same as filing deadline |
New = after March 31, 2013; Old = before July 1, 2010
*Optional reporting periods were at the discretion of the Ministry. Amount of tax remitted, nature of business, and tax compliance history were considered.
Click here for current month tax filing deadline dates.
Reporting Period | Annual Premium | Tax Filing Deadline | Payment Deadline | Annual Report Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterly | $2,000 plus | April 20, July 20, October 20, January 20 |
Same as filing deadline | February 28 (or 29) for prior year |
Annual | less than $2,000 | Mar 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 for prior year | Same as filing deadline | Mar 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 for prior year |
You will receive Form 1820 - Employer's Remittance Form each quarter if you are a quarterly filer.
Towards the end of each year, WCB will send out a letter informing you of your base rate and classification unit for the coming year. This is not a bill so do not make a payment.
Each year, quarterly filers will also receive an Annual Payroll Report and Payment (formerly called Employer Payroll and Contract Labour Report) (form 1810). The purpose of the annual report is to reconcile your account for the previous year. It is due February 28 (or 29) each year.
WCB form 1810 non-filing tax compliance penalties
WCB Payment Options
If your WCB tax compliance rates include a surcharge, you need to do something to reduce it back to the industry average. Learn how The Employers' Advisors can help you.
Click here for more 2020/2021 Tax Year self-employed tax filing deadline dates.
Ownership Type | Return Type | Installments Due (see note 2) |
Filing Deadline | Balance Due Deadline (see note 1) |
Spouse's Return |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sole Proprietor | T1 (T2125) | 15th of March, June, Sep, Dec | June 15th each year | April 30th each year -- extended to Sep 30 in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic | same due dates as your business returns |
Note 1 Here's a tip 1 - To avoid interest charges, pay your taxes owing by the Balance Due Date of April 30th, even if you are filing later.
Don't know how much tax is owing - your bookkeeper will be happy to ESTIMATE the amount for you to pay.
Note 2 Your required installments are determined each year when you file your return. There are several options. You may not be required to make any installments. Talk to your bookkeeper or tax preparer.
Find more information in The Bookkeeper's Notes on CCPC.
Please click to see the CRA website for 2020 extended income tax filing and payment dates due to COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 14, 2021, no deadlines changes have been released for 2021 ... yet.
2020 GST/HST payments
You still need to file your return on time but the payment deadline has been extended.
"The CRA will allow all businesses to defer, until the end of June 2020, any GST/HST payments or remittances that become owing on or after March 27, 2020, and before June 2020. This means that no interest will apply if your payments or remittances are made by the end of June 2020.
The deadline for businesses to file their returns is unchanged. Those who are able to, should continue to file their GST/HST returns on time reporting their net tax for the reporting period to help facilitate tax compliance and administration. However, recognizing the difficult circumstances faced by businesses, the CRA won’t impose penalties where a return is filed late provided that it is filed by June 30th."
Source: CRA website June 2020
Ownership Type (see note 4) |
Return Type | Installments Due (see note 5) |
Filing Deadline (see note 3) |
Balance Due Deadline (see note 4) |
---|---|---|---|---|
CCPC with passive/investment income | T2 | last day of month | 6 months after year-end | balance due 2 months after year-end |
CCPC active business income only | T2 | last day of month | 6 months after year-end | balance due 3 months after year-end |
Note 3 Watch out - A return must be filed even if taxes owing are ZERO OR your company is inactive.
Note 4 Small Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC) must meet conditions for 3 months due date. If the CCPC earns investment income, payment deadline is 2 months after year-end.
Note 5 There are three installment options to choose from. Choose the one that lets you pay the least amount in installments. CCPC may be eligible for quarterly installments if criteria are met ... one of which is a perfect compliance history.
A corporate minute book is a binder a CCPC must legally maintain. Penalties may be assessed for failure to attend to the Minute Book. Self-Counsel Press sells Minute Book binders and inserts. Click here for a chat about Corporate Minute Book Requirements.
The Toronto tax firm Rotfleisch & Samulovitch's website TaxPage.com has various tax tips Directors' Liability for Taxes.
The conditions under which a director is personally liable for unpaid compliance taxes are examined. It is important to meet your tax filing deadlines to avoid liability. One of the articles explains that:
You may want to read about CRA's policy on funds held in trust.
Bookkeeping Essentials › Tax Compliance in Canada › Tax Filing Deadlines
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