What’s my deadline?
Here’s how your tax situation might affect your deadline to file your return or pay your taxes owing:
| Tax situation | Filing deadline | Deadline to pay taxes |
| I’m filing a federal return. | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2021 |
| I’m filing a federal return and I received Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or COVID-19 emergency benefits in 2020. | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2022* |
| I’m self-employed. | June 15, 2021 | April 30, 2021 |
| I’m self employed and I received EI benefits or COVID-19 emergency benefits in 2020. | June 15, 2021 | April 30, 2022* |
| My spouse is self-employed. | June 15, 2021 | April 30, 2021 |
| I’m a Québec resident. | April 30, 2021 | May 31, 2021 |
| I’m a Québec resident and I received EI benefits or COVID-19 emergency benefits in 2020. | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2022* |
| I’m self-employed and a Québec resident. | June 15, 2021 | May 31, 2021 |
| I’m self-employed and a Québec resident, and I received EI benefits or COVID-19 emergency benefits in 2020. | June 15, 2021 | April 30, 2022* |
| I moved away from Canada. | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2021 |
| I moved away from Canada and I received Canadian COVID-19 emergency benefits or EI benefits in 2020. | April 30, 2021 | April 30, 2022* |
* As long as your taxable income is less than $75,000.
When do I have to pay my taxes owing?
If you owe the federal government money this year, the deadline to pay your balance is April 30, 2021. Beginning on May 1, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will start adding interest to any amount you owe.
If you’re a Québec resident who owes the provincial government money this year, the deadline to pay your balance this year is May 31, 2021. This means Revenu Québec will not add interest to the amount you owe until June 1, 2021.
If you received Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or COVID-19 emergency benefits in 2020 and your taxable income was less than $75,000, you won’t have to pay the taxes you owe until April 30, 2022. Keep in mind, you still need to file your return by April 30, 2021 to avoid late-filing penalties.
Why should I file on time?
Between avoiding late-filing penalties and getting your refund sooner, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t file your return late. Check out this blog to learn more about why you should try to file on time.
I’m a resident of Québec, what’s my deadline?
Québec returns are due by the same deadline as federal returns: April 30 (or if you’re self-employed, on June 15). However, Revenu Québec will allow 2020 returns to be filed up until May 31 without late-filing penalties or interest added to unpaid taxes owing.
It’s generally recommended that you file your returns with Revenu Québec and the CRA at the same time.
I’m self-employed, what’s my deadline?
If you’re self-employed (for example, if you’re a freelancer or a small business owner), your deadline to file is June 15, 2021. If you and your spouse or common-law partner are preparing your returns together and only one of you is self-employed, you can still file both returns by June 15, 2021.
Keep in mind that if you owe federal taxes, your payment is still due on April 30, 2021, and if you owe Québec taxes, your payment is still due on May 31, 2021.
I moved away from Canada, what’s my deadline?
If you were a Canadian resident in 2020, your deadline to file is April 30 (or June 15, if you were self-employed) – even if you moved away.
If you’re filing by mail, remember to take into consideration how long it might take your return to get to Canada. Depending on where you live now, this could be anywhere between a few days to a few weeks.
If you moved before December 31, 2020, you might also have to file a return in the country where you now live. Visit your country’s government website or find a local tax professional to learn about the local tax laws.
Will there be an extension to file my return again this year?
Revenu Québec will allow 2020 returns to be filed up until May 31, 2021 without late-filing penalties or interest added to unpaid taxes owing. If you’re self-employed, your deadline to file is still June 15, 2021.
There are currently no plans for the CRA to extend the federal filing deadline again. However, if this changes, you’ll find out here! Sign up for our newsletter to get reminders about key tax dates delivered straight to your inbox or keep checking the H&R Block Tax Tips Blog for the latest news from the CRA and Revenue Québec.
It’s never too late to get help.
With nearly 60 years of experience preparing and filing all sorts of Canadian taxes, H&R Block has tax solutions that will fit your needs and gives you access to the largest network of reliable Tax Experts.
Although our offices are busier in April than in January, H&R Block Tax Experts are here for you all year round – whether it’s your first time filing, if you need to catch up on returns from previous years, or anything else tax season sends your way. We can even review up to three of your past returns looking for money that others may have missed through our Free Second Look service. By filing with H&R Block, you can be sure you’ll get the most out of your return, with our Maximum Refund GuaranteeTM.