When to file information returns

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Filing due date

Based on information return type

T4 returns
T4A returns
T4A-NR returns
T4A-RCA returns
The filing due date is the last day of February after the preceding calendar year
T5018 returns
6 months after the end of the reporting period (calendar year or fiscal period) chosen by the payer
T1204 returns
March 31 after the preceding calendar year

Based on a special situation

Employee stopped working for you

The filing due date does not change.

At the time an employee stops working for you due to layoff, retirement, resignation, or dismissal, the CRA suggests you calculate the year to date earnings and give the employee a slip.

Your business stops operating, or a partner or the sole proprietor dies

The filing due date is:

  • 30 days from the date your business stops operating
  • 90 days from the date a partner or the sole proprietor dies
Your business amalgamated

The due dates for filing returns will depend on whether the predecessor's remittance balance is transferred to the payroll account of the successor company.

  • Balance is not transferred to the successor's business number

    If the remittance balance is not transferred to the successor's payroll account:

    • The predecessor has to file returns for the period up to the day before the amalgamation within 30 days of the account closure
    • The successor has to file the returns from the amalgamation date until the end of the year by the regular due dates
  • Balance is transferred to the successor's business number

    The predecessor company does not have to file returns for the period leading up to the amalgamation and the successor company files the returns for the entire year by the regular due dates.

    The filing requirements of a predecessor in an employer restructuring situation also follows these rules.

    Learn more: Employer restructuring / Succession of employers

Information returns filed by a service bureau

The filing due date does not change.

If a service bureau files a return for you, you are still responsible for the accuracy of the information, for any balance owing, and for filing on time.

When is an information return considered on time

The CRA considers the information return to be filed on time if it meets one of the following conditions:

  • It is received on or before the due date
  • It is postmarked on or before the due date

When a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday recognized by the CRA, your information return is considered on time if the CRA receives it on or it is processed at a Canadian financial institution on or before the next business day.

What happens if you file late or you do not file

Legislated penalties

You may be charged a penalty if you file your information return late and it is part of the list of information returns that applies to the legislated penalties.

List of information returns to which the legislated penalties apply

Each slip is an information return, and the penalty the CRA assesses is based on the number of information returns you filed late. The penalty is $100 or the amount calculated according to the chart below, whichever is more:

Legislated late-filing penalties
Number of information returns (slips) filed late Penalty per day (up to 100 days) Maximum penalty
1 to 50 $10 $1,000
51 to 500 $15 $1,500
501 to 2,500 $25 $2,500
2,501 to 10,000 $50 $5,000
10,001 or more $75 $7,500

Relieving administrative policy

For specific information returns, the administrative policy reduces the penalty that you may be charged to make sure it is fair and reasonable for small businesses. You may be charged a reduced penalty if you file your information return late and it is part of the list of specific information returns that applies to the administrative policy.

List of specific information returns to which the administrative policy applies

Each slip is an information return, and the penalty the CRA assesses is based on the number of information returns you filed late. The penalty is $100 or the amount calculated according to the chart below, whichever is more:

Penalties under the relieving administrative policy
Number of information returns (slips) filed late Penalty per day (up to 100 days) Maximum penalty
1 to 5 penalty not based on number of days $100 flat penalty
6 to 10 $5 $500
11 to 50 $10 $1,000
51 to 500 $15 $1,500
501 to 2,500 $25 $2,500
2,501 to 10,000 $50 $5,000
10,001 or more $75 $7,500

Additional legislative penalty for conspiring in order to avoid reporting contract payments (T5018 information returns)

Any contractor that plans with subcontractors to avoid tax by concealing underground activity could face criminal prosecution, with fines and penalties of up to 200% of the tax they tried to avoid.

References

Legislation

ITA: 153(1)
Withholding
ITA: 162(7.01)
Penalty for failing to file an information return on time (slips)
ITA: 162(7.02)
Penalty for failure to file an information return in an appropriate manner (slips)
ITA: 163(2)
Penalty for false statement or omissions (gross negligence)
ITA: 163.2(1)
Misrepresentation of a Tax Matter by a Third Party
ITR: 200(1)
Remuneration and benefits
ITR: 205
Date returns to be filed
ITR: 205(1)
Filing - Carrying on a business - End of February of following year
ITR: 205(2)
Filing - Business permanently discontinued – Within 30 days
ITR: 205(3)
Filing – Prescribed information returns for purposes of 162(7.01)
ITR: 205.1(1)
Electronic filing requirement
ITR: 206(1)
Filing - Death of a sole proprietor – Within 90 days
ITR: 237
Contract for Goods and Services
ITR: 238
Reporting of Payments in Respect of Construction Activities
CPP Reg: 10(1)
Filing - Carrying on a business - End of February of following year
CPP Reg: 10(2)
Filing - Business permanently discontinued – Within 30 days
CPP Reg: 12(1)
Filing - Death of a sole proprietor – Within 90 days
CPP Reg: 14
Information returns late filing penalty - $10 per day/Max $250
IECPR: 11(1)
Filing - Carrying on a business - End of February of following year
IECPR: 11(2)
Filing - Business permanently discontinued – Within 30 days
IECPR: 13(1)
Filing - Death of a sole proprietor – Within 90 days
IECPR: 15(1)
Information returns late filing penalty – Min $100/Max $2,500

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