When to file information returns
On this page
- Filing due date
- When is an information return considered on time
- What happens if you file late or you do not file
- References
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
- AGR-1, Statement of Farm-Support Payments
- T4FHSA, First Home Savings Account Statement
- NR4, Statement of Amounts Paid or Credited to Non-Residents of Canada
- Part XVIII Information Return – International Exchange of Information on Financial Accounts
- RC368, Pooled Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return
- RC438, International Electronic Funds Transfer Report
- RC62, Universal child care benefit statement
- RRSP contribution information return slip
- T10, Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR) or Pension Adjustment Correction (PAC)
- T1204, Government Service Contract Payments
- T215, Past Service Pension Adjustment (PSPA) Exempt from Certification
- T2202, Tuition and Enrolment Certificate
- T3, Statement of Trust Income Allocations and Designations (slip)
- T4, Statement of Remuneration Paid
- T4A, Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity or Other Income
- T4A(P), Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits
- T4A-NR, Statement of Fees, Commissions, or Other Amounts Paid to Non-Residents for Services Rendered in Canada
- T4A(OAS), Statement of Old Age Security
- T4A-RCA, Statement of Distributions from a Retirement Compensation Arrangement (RCA)
- T4E, Statement of Employment Insurance and Other Benefits
- T4PS, Statement of Employees Profit-Sharing Plan Allocations and Payments
- T4RIF, Statement of Income from a Registered Retirement Income Fund
- T4RSP, Statement of RRSP Income
- T5, Statement of Investment Income
- T5007, Statement of Benefits
- T5008, Statement of Securities Transactions
- T5018, Statement of Contract Payments
- Tax-free Savings Annual Information Return
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:
| 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
- NR4, Statement of Amounts Paid or Credited to Non-Residents of Canada
- T4, Statement of Remuneration Paid
- T4A, Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income
- T4E, Statement of Employment Insurance and Other Benefits
- T5, Statement of Investment Income
- T5018, Statement of Contract Payments
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:
| 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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