April 30 is the CRA payment deadline for self-employed Canadians — even though you have until June 15 to file your return. If you owe tax and do not pay by April 30, interest starts accruing from May 1. Here is exactly what to do before April 30, 2026.
The April 30 vs June 15 Split
This is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of self-employed taxation in Canada:
- April 30, 2026: Pay any balance owing for your 2025 income tax and your 2025 GST/HST annual balance (if applicable)
- June 15, 2026: File your T1 return (and annual GST/HST return)
Filing on June 14 with a balance unpaid since April 30 = 45 days of daily compound interest, but no late-filing penalty (because you filed by June 15).
Before April 30: What to Do
1. Estimate Your Balance Owing
You can pay your estimated tax balance before you formally file your T1 return. Open your return in tax software (Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax), enter your income and expenses, and review the “balance owing” or “refund” calculation. This gives you a close estimate even if you have not finalized every detail.
Key inputs for the estimate:
- Total gross revenue from T2125 (and T4s if applicable)
- Total deductible business expenses
- Home office deduction percentage
- RRSP contributions (reduces taxable income)
2. Pay Your Estimated Balance
Pay through your bank’s bill payment system using “CRA personal income tax” or “Receiver General” as the payee. Include your SIN in the reference field. Pay at least the estimated amount by April 30 — any slight over/underpayment is sorted when you file the actual return in May or June.
3. Pay Your GST/HST Annual Balance (If Applicable)
Annual GST/HST filers with a December 31 fiscal year-end pay their GST/HST balance owing also by April 30. This is a separate payment to your GST/HST account (not your personal tax account). Use “CRA GST/HST” as the payee in online banking with your Business Number.
4. Confirm Your RRSP Contributions
The RRSP deadline for deducting on your 2025 return was March 3, 2026. If you made contributions after December 31, 2025, confirm they appear in your T1 before filing. RRSP contributions reduce your taxable income and can significantly lower your balance owing.
5. Gather Remaining Documents
While your tax software estimate is useful, finalize your documents before June 15:
- All T4, T5, T4A slips received
- RRSP contribution receipts (for contributions before March 3, 2026)
- Charitable donation receipts
- Business expense totals by T2125 category
If You Cannot Pay the Full Balance by April 30
Pay whatever you can. Interest accrues only on the unpaid portion — partial payments reduce the interest calculation. Once you have paid what you can:
- File your T1 as early as possible (before June 15) even if the balance is not fully paid
- Contact CRA’s Debt Management Call Centre (1-888-863-8657) to arrange a payment plan for the remaining balance
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my tax software shows I’m owed a refund?
If you are owed a refund, no payment is due on April 30. File your T1 as soon as possible to receive your refund. Self-employed filers with refunds can file early — the June 15 extended deadline is optional, not mandatory.
How do I pay if I don’t have my final T1 ready by April 30?
Make an estimated payment based on your tax software preview. When you file in May or June, any overpayment becomes a refund; any underpayment is assessed with interest from May 1 (on just the shortfall, not the full balance). Most CPAs recommend erring slightly over-estimated to avoid underpayment interest.
Does April 30 apply to both my personal tax and GST/HST?
Yes — if you are an annual GST/HST filer with a December 31 fiscal year, both your income tax balance and your GST/HST balance are due April 30. They are paid separately to different CRA accounts. Pay both by April 30 to avoid interest on either.