T2 corporation tax return: filing and payment deadlines
Updated October 12, 2026
The short answer
A corporation's T2 return is due six months after the end of its fiscal year. The balance owing is due earlier: two months after year end, or three months for a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) that qualifies.
| T2 filing due date | 6 months after the fiscal year end |
|---|---|
| Balance owing, most corporations | 2 months after the fiscal year end |
| Balance owing, eligible CCPC | 3 months after the fiscal year end |
| Late-filing penalty | 5% of the balance owing + 1% per full month, up to 12 months |
| Repeat late filer (within 3 years) | 10% + 2% per full month, up to 20 months |
Filing date versus payment date
The most common T2 mistake is treating the filing date as the payment date. The return can be filed six months after year end, but the tax is due sooner. Interest runs on any balance not paid by the earlier date, even when the return is filed on time.
For a December 31 year end, the balance owing is due on March 1 (two months), or April 1 if the corporation qualifies for the three-month rule, and the return is due June 30.
Who gets the three-month payment rule
A CCPC that claims the small business deduction in the current or previous year, and whose taxable income for the previous year did not exceed its business limit, generally has three months to pay. Other corporations pay within two months.
Managing T2 dates across clients
Every corporation has its own year end, so T2 dates are scattered across the calendar. The reliable approach is to record each client's fiscal year end once and derive the filing date, the payment date and a prep reminder from it, rather than keeping a separate list.
This guide summarizes federal rules published by the Canada Revenue Agency. Your situation may differ (a fiscal year that doesn't end December 31, a non-resident, a province with its own return), so confirm at canada.ca or with your accountant before relying on a date.
Frequently asked questions
When is the T2 due for a December 31 year end?+
The T2 is due June 30. The balance owing is due March 1 for most corporations, or April 1 for an eligible CCPC.
Is there a penalty for filing a T2 late if no tax is owing?+
The late-filing penalty is calculated on the balance owing, so it is nil when no tax is owed, but other penalties can apply to some information returns, and filing on time is still required.
What is a CCPC?+
A Canadian-controlled private corporation: a private corporation resident in Canada that is not controlled by non-residents or public corporations. Many small corporations qualify.
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