The deadline for most individuals to file their 2019 taxes has been extended to June 1, 2020. The deadline to pay amounts owed has also been extended to September 1, 2020. Penalties and interest will not be charged if payments are made by the extended deadlines of September 1, 2020. This includes the late-filing penalty as long as the return is filed by September 1, 2020.

If you, your spouse, or your common-law partner are self-employed, you still have until June 15, 2020, to file your taxes. However, your payment deadline has also been extended to September 1, 2020.

For those who have to pay by instalments, the June 15, 2020, payment due date has also been extended to September 1st. Instalment penalties and interest will not be charged for this payment if it is made by the extended deadline of September 1, 2020.

For more information on the filing and payment deadline changes due to COVID-19, go to Income tax filing and payment deadlines: CRA and COVID-19.

Why file by the deadline if no payment is due until September 1?

Filing by the deadline will minimize impacts to your benefit and credit payments. If your 2019 return has not been assessed by the CRA, information from your 2018 return will be used to calculate benefit and credit payments until September 2020. That will ensure you continue to receive important payments that will help through the COVID-19 crisis. However, you may not be getting exactly the right amounts. By filing a return by the deadline, you will minimize this impact. Also, if you are owed a refund, the earlier you file, the earlier it will arrive in your pocket. By registering for direct deposit, you’ll get your refund even faster.