CRA deadlines for self-employed Canadians: filing, balance due and 2026 instalments
The Canada Revenue Agency dates a self-employed person (or their spouse or common-law partner) needs: when to file, when the balance is due, and the 2026 instalment dates. Every date below is quoted from a canada.ca page, which is linked next to it. Last verified: 2026-11-09.
Not tax advice. This page lists dates as the CRA publishes them and nothing more. Your situation may differ (for example, a deceased person's return has different dates). Always check canada.ca before you rely on a date.
Next date: December 15, 2026 (last 2026 instalment)
If you have to pay your 2026 tax by instalments, the last one is due December 15, 2026 (canada.ca: instalment payment due dates). Not sure whether instalments apply to you? The free CRA instalment checker applies the $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) test.
2026 instalment due dates
| Due date | Source |
|---|---|
| March 15, 2026 | canada.ca |
| June 15, 2026 | canada.ca |
| September 15, 2026 | canada.ca |
| December 15, 2026 | canada.ca |
When a due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday recognized by the CRA, a payment received on the next business day is on time.
Filing and paying your 2026 taxes (next spring)
The CRA's general rule (canada.ca: due dates and payment dates): "Filing due date is April 30 for most taxpayers, June 15 for self-employed". And: "Pay your balance owing on or before April 30 to avoid interest and penalties".
So a self-employed person gets until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due by April 30. When we last checked, the CRA had not yet published the exact calendar dates for 2026 taxes. It moves a deadline when it falls on a weekend or holiday, so check the page in the new year before you rely on a date.
Last year's dates, for reference (2025 taxes)
As listed on canada.ca: due dates and payment dates (page modified 2026-09-17):
| Date | What was due |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | Deadline to file your taxes (most people) |
| April 30, 2026 | Deadline to pay your taxes (everyone, including the self-employed) |
| June 15, 2026 | Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed |
Setting the money aside
The Quarterly Tax Set-Aside Planner (paid spreadsheet by Kyle Falk) tracks what you set aside from each payment, at a rate you choose, against the quarterly due dates. It applies no tax rules itself. The Freelancer Money Records Bundle includes it with the budget planner, invoice tracker and expense log. This page stays free either way.