Canada’s 2025 tax return season starts Feb. 23: key deadlines and what to prepare now

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 20, 2026

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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says Canadians can start filing their 2025 income tax and benefit returns online on February 23, 2026, while reminding taxpayers of the main filing and payment deadlines tied to penalties, interest, and benefit continuity.

For most individuals, April 30, 2026 is the deadline to file and pay any amount owing. Self-employed individuals (or those whose spouse/common-law partner is self-employed) have until June 15, 2026 to file, but any balance owing is still due by April 30 to avoid interest charges.

The CRA also advises early preparation, noting many tax slips are issued by employers and financial institutions by the end of February and encouraging taxpayers not to file before they have the necessary documents.

Practical checklist

Gather key slips and documents (including T4 and T5) before filing.
Confirm you can access your CRA account ahead of tax season, as the CRA highlights an online option to regain access if you’re locked out.
Keep your contact information up to date with the CRA (address, phone, email) to avoid disruptions.
For lower-income Canadians with simple returns, the CRA points to SimpleFile services (digital or by phone) as a potential option during the season.