# Missed the tax filing deadline: what to do > What happens if you miss the Canadian tax filing deadline: the late-filing penalty with a worked example, interest, and how to file late and ask for relief. Missing the tax filing deadline in Canada is fixable, and the cost depends on whether you owe money. If you owe tax, the CRA charges a late-filing penalty of 5% of the balance plus 1% for each full month, and interest on top. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty. File as soon as you can. **Short answer:** File as soon as you can. If you owe tax, the penalty is 5% of the balance plus 1% for each full month, and if you are owed a refund there is no penalty. ## What happens if you file late? - If you are owed a refund, there is no late-filing penalty, but you may lose benefits that depend on a filed return. - If you owe tax, the CRA charges a penalty of 5% of the balance, plus 1% for each full month it is late, up to 12 months. - If you filed late repeatedly: if you were also late in the past three years and the CRA asked you to file, the penalty is 10% plus 2% a month, up to 20 months. - Interest is charged daily on any balance owing and on the penalties, at the CRA's prescribed rate. ## How much is the late-filing penalty in dollars? The CRA's example is a $100 balance filed 3 full months late. The penalty is $100 x (5% + 1% + 1% + 1%), which is $8, so the total owing is $108. The first-time penalty tops out at 17% of the balance, which is 5% plus 12 months at 1%. The CRA also charges interest, compounded daily from the day after the due date until the balance is paid, on the balance and on the penalty. ## What should you do? - File the return now, even if you cannot pay everything. - Pay what you can, which stops interest on that part. - If you cannot pay in full, contact the CRA about a payment arrangement. You can schedule a series of payments in your CRA account, or call the CRA,. - If a serious reason, such as illness or a disaster, made you late, ask for taxpayer relief. ## Can the CRA cancel the penalty or interest? Sometimes. Under its taxpayer relief provisions the CRA can cancel or waive penalties and interest. The CRA names extraordinary events such as a death in the family, serious illness, an accident or a disaster, delays or errors by the CRA, and financial hardship. You can ask in your CRA account under the request for relief of penalties and interest, or by mailing Form RC4288. Attach documents that back up your explanation. ## What happens to your benefits if you file late? Late filing can pause payments such as the Canada Child Benefit and the GST/HST credit, which is now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, because they depend on your return. Missed amounts are paid with the next scheduled payment once the return is assessed. See the [CCB payment dates](https://tax-services.ca/canada-child-benefit-payment-dates) and the [Groceries and Essentials Benefit dates](https://tax-services.ca/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit-payment-dates). ## Which dates matter this year? Most people file by April 30, the self-employed by June 15 with payment still due April 30. When the date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, the return is on time if the CRA receives it, or it is postmarked, on the next business day. See the [tax calendar](https://tax-services.ca/tax-calendar) and the [2027 tax calendar](https://tax-services.ca/tax-calendar-2027). ## Where does this information come from? The penalty rules come from the [Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html) [filing guidance](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/educational-programs/preparing-your-taxes.html). The pages on [taxpayer relief](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/complaints-disputes/cancel-waive-penalties-interest/how-to-apply.html) and on [payment arrangements](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/payments/payments-cra/payment-arrangements.html) cover the rest. Rates and rules change, so check the CRA page for your year. Checked in October 2026. This is an independent information site: we provide no services, we do not represent the CRA or any organization, and we do not guarantee that anything here is accurate or current. We accept no liability for decisions based on it. Check the official source before you rely on it. See the [full disclaimer](https://tax-services.ca/disclaimer). --- Source: https://tax-services.ca/missed-tax-filing-deadline Last updated: 2026-10-06 Independent information site. Not affiliated with the CRA. No services, no guarantee of accuracy. See https://tax-services.ca/disclaimer