Running a corporation comes with a set of recurring filings. Miss one and the consequences range from penalties and interest to, in the worst case, the province cancelling your corporation. Here’s the calendar every Ontario owner should know.
Corporate tax return (T2)
Due six months after your fiscal year-end. A December 31 year-end means a June 30 filing deadline.
Paying corporate tax
Any balance owing is generally due two months after year-end, or three months for many small Canadian-controlled private corporations claiming the small business deduction. Note that payment comes before the filing deadline.
Instalments
Once your corporation owes more than $3,000 in tax, the CRA may require monthly instalments, or quarterly instalments for eligible small corporations.
Ontario Annual Return
Ontario corporations must file an Annual Return with the province within six months of year-end, through the Ontario Business Registry. Since 2021, it’s no longer filed with your T2 return, so many owners don’t realize it’s a separate step. You’ll need your company key to access the registry. Repeated failure to file can lead to cancellation of the corporation.
Payroll and slips
- Payroll source deductions are remitted on the schedule the CRA assigns you.
- T4 slips (salaries) and T5 slips (dividends), with their summaries, are due by the last day of February.
GST/HST returns
Filed monthly, quarterly or annually depending on your reporting period. Corporations that file annually generally have three months after their fiscal year-end to file and pay. Monthly and quarterly filers have one month after each period.
Corporate records
Keep your minute book current with annual resolutions, director and officer details, and dividend declarations. Keep tax records for at least six years.
2026 reminder
Ontario’s small business tax rate dropped from 3.2% to 2.2% on July 1, 2026, so adjust your second-half instalments accordingly.
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Our Corporate Core plan covers your T2, GST/HST filings and one payroll account all year.
Sources
- Ontario: Ontario Business Registry
- Norton Rose Fulbright: Ontario annual returns now filed through the Ontario Business Registry
- TaxTips.ca: 2026 corporate income tax rates
This article is general information, not tax or financial advice. Rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the Canada Revenue Agency or speak with our team about your situation.
