Penalty calculator
Late filing penalty calculator
The penalty depends on the balance owing and how many full months late the return is. Enter both to see the penalty, and an estimate of the interest that runs alongside it.
Prepared by HBT Accounting, a CPA led firm in CalgaryUpdated 5.0 on Google, 59 reviews
2026 figures
Estimate
With no balance owing there is no late filing penalty on an income tax return, though filing late can still delay refunds, benefits and credits.
What this does not cover. The income tax figures apply to individuals and corporations, though a large corporation can face a further penalty even with no balance owing. Interest is estimated at the current quarter's rate; in practice the rate changes each quarter and interest also runs on the penalty. Penalties can sometimes be cancelled under taxpayer relief. This is an estimate for planning, not advice for your situation and not a filing.
What is the CRA penalty for filing late?
For an income tax return, 5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months. A repeat late filing within three years, after a demand to file, costs 10% plus 2% a month for up to 20 months. For a GST/HST return it is 1% of the amount owing plus a quarter of that for each full month, up to 12 months.
Official sources
If these figures raise a question about your own return, call or ask for a call back. The first conversation is free and carries no obligation.