Who this is for
Anyone filing a personal return in BC for the 2026 calendar year. The dates below follow the CRA’s standard rules. The CRA publishes its official list for each filing season early in the year. If a date moves, we update this page.
One thing most people do not realize
The RRSP deadline is sixty days after the year ends, which for the 2026 tax year is March 1, 2027. A contribution made on March 2 counts for 2027, not 2026. For the 2025 tax year the date was March 2, 2026, because March 1 fell on a Sunday.
The dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Last day to contribute to an RRSP for 2026 | March 1, 2027 (sixty days after the year ends) |
| T4 and most other slips issued to you | by the end of February 2027 |
| Online filing opens | late February 2027 (in 2026 it opened February 23) |
| Filing and payment deadline, most people | April 30, 2027 |
| Filing deadline if you or your spouse work for yourselves | June 15, 2027 |
| Balance owing due, everyone | April 30, 2027 |
| Instalment dates for people who pay them | March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15 |
If a date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the CRA treats the next business day as on time.
What is different for 2026
The lowest federal tax rate is 14% for the full year. It dropped from 15% to 14% on July 1, 2025. For the 2025 tax year that gave a blended rate of 14.5%. For 2026 the 14% rate applies to the whole year, so most employees will see slightly less tax taken off each pay.
The GST/HST credit has a new name. From July 2026 it is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. It is still paid quarterly and still depends on your filed return.
Who pays instalments
The CRA asks for instalments when your net tax owing was more than $3,000 this year. It must also have been over $3,000 in one of the two years before. It usually sends a reminder in February and August showing the amounts. People who work for themselves, landlords and people with investment income are the usual cases. If you receive a reminder and are not sure, ask us before the first date.
A simple plan
- October to December 2026: check your RRSP room on your last Notice of Assessment. Decide on any contribution before March 1.
- February 2027: gather slips as they arrive. Keep them in one place.
- March 2027: book your appointment. Early returns get the quickest refunds.
- Before April 30, 2027: file, and pay any balance even if you file in June.
Our guide on what to bring lists every document.
Official sources
- CRA: Due dates and payment dates for individuals
- CRA: Required tax instalments for individuals, payment due dates
- CRA: What you need to know for the 2026 tax filing season
This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. It reflects the rules for the 2026 tax year. Rules described are those in effect from January 1, 2026. It has not yet been reviewed by a practitioner. The information was checked against the official sources listed above on the date shown. Rules change. Check the official sources above or ask us. How we prepare these guides.