T2 corporate tax filing for Canadian corporations

One federal return, and sometimes a second

Every corporation files a federal T2 with the CRA, due six months after its fiscal year end. In most provinces the CRA also collects the provincial tax through that same return. Two are different. A corporation with a permanent establishment in Alberta files an AT1 with Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration, and one with a permanent establishment in Quebec files a CO-17 with Revenu Québec.

HBT prepares the T2 and any provincial return from reconciled books and keeps the filing date, the balance due date and any instalments on one calendar. A corporation that has fallen behind, or has nothing to report for the year, is handled the same way: the missing years are listed first, then filed in order.

What a T2 engagement covers

How the work begins

1. 1

   Step 1: Confirm the entity and the year

   Legal name, fiscal year end, where the corporation operates, program accounts and what has been filed.

2. 2

   Step 2: Agree scope and fee

   Written before paid work starts, with any missing years priced separately.

3. 3

   Step 3: File and explain

   The return filed electronically, the result explained in plain terms and next year's dates listed.

Which provinces make a corporation file a separate provincial return?

Alberta and Quebec. A corporation with a permanent establishment in Alberta files the AT1 with Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration, and one with a permanent establishment in Quebec files the CO-17 with Revenu Québec, each alongside the federal T2. In every other province and territory the CRA collects provincial corporate tax on the T2 itself.