CRA Taxpayer Relief Provisions & VDP Compliant
Canada CRA Tax Deadlines & Penalty Waiver Guide
Authoritative handbook on CRA filing deadlines — April 30 vs June 15 rules, 5% + 1%/month late penalties, prescribed interest rates, and Form RC4288 taxpayer relief waivers.
CRA Late-Filing Penalty & Interest Calculator
Calculate estimated late filing penalties and interest charges on unpaid tax balances.
Late Filing Penalty & Interest Applied
Filing 3 month(s) late on a $5,000 CAD balance triggers a 5% base penalty ($250.00) plus 1%/month penalty ($150.00) plus prescribed interest.
Late Penalty: $400.00 CAD | Prescribed Interest: ~ $112.50 CAD | Total Due: $5512.50 CAD
Frequently Asked Questions
For individual employed Canadians, the tax filing and payment deadline is April 30. For self-employed individuals, the tax return filing deadline is June 15, but any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid prescribed interest.
The CRA charges a late-filing penalty of 5% of your balance owing plus 1% of your balance owing for each full month that your return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months. If you filed late in previous years, the penalty doubles to 10% + 2% per month.
The VDP gives taxpayers an opportunity to correct past errors or omissions on tax returns before CRA audit or enforcement action, potentially waiving penalties and criminal prosecution.
Taxpayers can submit Form RC4288 (Request for Taxpayer Relief Provisions) to request the CRA cancel or waive interest and penalties due to extraordinary circumstances (illness, natural disaster, CRA error).