2026 tax season in Quebec: Key dates and checklist

At a Glance. The 2026 tax season in Quebec covers your 2025 income and revolves around three key dates: March 2, 2026, the last day to contribute to an RRSP, April 30, 2026, the deadline to file your returns and pay any tax owed, and June 15, 2026, the filing deadline for self-employed individuals (though they must still pay any tax owed by April 30). A Quebec-specific rule: you must file two tax returns, the T1 with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the TP1 with Revenu Québec. A late filing incurs a penalty of 5% of the unpaid balance plus 1% per full month, for each level of government. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

Reference page dated: last updated on July 9, 2026. We update this page as soon as the CRA or Revenu Québec announces a change in deadlines or rules, so you can always plan based on the most current figures.

Every spring, it’s the same story: forms pile up on the corner of the desk, accounting firms are fully booked, and a large portion of Quebec files its returns in the last two weeks of April. Yet there’s nothing unpredictable about the 2026 tax season: the deadlines are known in advance, as are the documents you need to gather. This page brings both together in a practical order: first, the complete calendar (employees, self-employed individuals, corporations); next, a checklist of documents to prepare for each category; and finally, a reverse schedule to help you find an accountant while spots are still available.

Key dates for the 2026 tax season

The calendar below covers the 2025 tax year, which you’ll file in the spring of 2026. As a general rule for both tax authorities, when a deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, it is extended to the next business day. This explains the March 2 deadline: the 60th day after the end of 2025 falls on a Sunday, so the RRSP deadline is moved to Monday.

Two important points for businesses. For corporations, tax returns must be filed within 6 months after the end of the fiscal year, but the tax balance is due earlier, generally 2 or 3 months after the end of the fiscal year, depending on your situation: A corporation whose fiscal year ends on December 31, 2025, must therefore file its T2 and CO-17 forms by June 30, 2026, at the latest. As for taxes, your GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) returns follow their own filing schedules (monthly, quarterly, or annually) and are not aligned with the tax filing season. Our guide on The Cost of Filing a Business Tax Return in Quebec explains what filing Form T2 and Form CO-17 entails in practice.

Two tax returns, two governments: CRA and Revenu Québec

Quebec is the only province where individuals file two complete tax returns: the T1 for federal taxes and the TP1 for provincial taxes. Same income, but two calculations, two notices of assessment, and sometimes two different balances. Here’s what that means for your tax preparation:

• Duplicate forms. Each source of income generates a federal form and its Quebec equivalent: T4 and RL-1 for employment, T5 and Relevé 3 for investments. You’ll need both sets.
• Tax credits specific to Quebec. The Solidarity Tax Credit (claimed on Form TP1, along with Form 31 if you’re a renter) and child care expenses (Form 24) are only available through Revenu Québec. Forgetting them means leaving money on the table.
• Two payments due, two recipients. A payment sent to the wrong level does not settle the other one: check each notice of assessment.
• For employers, source deductions apply to both sides. Payments to the CRA and Revenu Québec follow their own schedule throughout the year.

Document checklist, by tax filing status

The easiest way to miss a deadline is to scramble to find a missing document during the last week of April. Gather everything into a single folder (paper or digital) as soon as you receive your tax forms in late February, and check items off as you go.

Employee or individual

• Income Statements: T4 and RL-1 (employment), T4A (pensions, occasional fees), T5 and RL-3 (investments), T4E (unemployment insurance), T5008 (sales of securities).
• 2024 Notice of Assessment: Federal and Quebec, for your RRSP allowances and carryover amounts.
• Deduction receipts: RRSP contributions (including those made within the first 60 days of 2026), medical expenses, charitable donations, union or professional dues.
• Quebec Tax Credits: RL-31 slips if you are a renter (Solidarity Tax Credit), Form 24, and receipts for childcare expenses and tuition fees (T2202 and Form 8).
• Life Changes in 2025: Birth, separation, child support, buying your first home: everyone opens or closes credit accounts.

Self-Employed individual

• Summary of Income and Expenses: invoices issued, revenue collected, expenses by category (software, outsourcing, supplies, telecommunications, training).
• Home Office: area used for work, rent or mortgage interest, electricity, home insurance.
• Vehicle: Mileage log separating business and personal use, gas, maintenance, registration, insurance.
• Taxes: GST and QST records if you are registered (registration becomes mandatory once taxable sales exceed $30,000).
• Tax Instalments: Payments already made to the CRA and Revenu Québec in 2025, to avoid paying twice.

Incorporated company

• Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year: Balance sheet and income statement, basis for T2 and CO-17.
• Payroll Records: Source deductions (source deductions) paid, T4 summaries, and RL-1 slips prepared for your employees by the end of February at the latest.
• Taxes: GST and QST returns for the fiscal year and reconciliation with recorded sales.
• Executive Compensation: Salary paid or dividends reported (T5 and Statement 3): Your accountant needs these to optimize your tax return.
• Corporate Instalment Payments: tax payments already made during the tax year.

Late filing, penalties, and interest: What it really costs

Filing late with an outstanding balance triggers a penalty of 5% of the amount due, plus 1% for each full month of delay, up to 12 months. And since Quebec has two tax authorities, you may receive two bills: one from the CRA and one from Revenu Québec. Added to this is interest on the unpaid balance, compounded daily, at a prescribed rate that is revised quarterly. In the event of a repeat offence, the penalties increase even further. On a balance of a few thousand dollars, a few months of delay can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars, a cost that is entirely avoidable.

Reverse planning: Find my accountant before the deadline

In March and April, many Quebec accounting firms simply stop accepting new clients, their teams are working at full capacity. So the best approach isn’t to start looking for an accountant when the deadline is approaching, but to work backward from the deadline. At Bankeo, we often match you with a vetted accountant from our network within 48 hours (this is a common turnaround time based on our experience, not a guarantee), which makes for a simple reverse schedule:

When it comes to budgeting, there’s no mystery: comprehensive accounting services for a business cost a median of about $3,000 per year, with most engagements ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on the business profile and services provided. Based on actual fees from 1,248 engagements secured through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received; the Bankeo Fee Barometer breaks down these price ranges by service. A single individual tax return obviously costs less than an annual retainer: our guides on How Much Does an Accountant Cost for the Self-Employed? and on Accounting Fees in Quebec in 2026 provide guidance based on your situation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for filing your 2025 tax return in Quebec?

April 30, 2026, for the vast majority of individuals, for both Form T1 (CRA) and Form TP1 (Revenu Québec): filing of returns and payment of any balance due. If you or your spouse is self-employed, you have until June 15, 2026, to file, but your tax balance is still due on April 30, 2026.

What is the deadline for making RRSP contributions for the year 2025?

March 2, 2026. The rule is 60 days after the end of the year; since the 60th day falls on a Sunday in 2026, the date moves to Monday. Contributions made up to this date can be deducted from your 2025 income, up to the amount of your allowable contributions: 18% of your 2024 earned income, up to a maximum of $32,490, plus any unused allowable contributions from previous years. The TFSA, on the other hand, has no deadline.

Why do you have to file two tax returns in Quebec?

This is because Quebec administers its own income tax, unlike other provinces. You therefore file Form T1 with the Canada Revenue Agency and Form TP1 with Revenu Québec, using duplicate forms (T4 and RL-1, T5 and Statement 3) and Québec-specific credits such as the Solidarity Tax Credit. An accountant prepares both returns together, using the same set of documents.

What happens if I file my tax return late?

If you have an outstanding balance, the penalty is 5% of the amount due plus 1% for each full month of delay, up to 12 months, and it may apply to both the CRA and Revenu Québec. Compound interest is added daily at a rate revised each quarter. If you have no balance due, there is no penalty, but your refunds and credits may be delayed. The smart move: file on time, even if payment follows later.

When should you start looking for an accountant for the 2026 tax season?

Ideally, by the end of March. The Bankeo matching process often takes 48 hours, a common turnaround time for our requests, but your accountant will then need 2 to 3 weeks to gather your documents and prepare your two tax returns without rushing. In April, many firms stop accepting new clients: the earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.

How much does an accountant cost during tax season?

For comprehensive business support services, the median cost is approximately $3,000 per year, with most engagements ranging from $500 to $6,000. This is based on the actual fees from 1,248 engagements completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received. A tax return for an individual or self-employed person alone costs less; the Bankeo Fee Barometer provides detailed ranges by service.

Sources

1. Revenu Québec, Individual Income Tax Return
2. Canada Revenue Agency, official portal
3. Revenu Québec, Self-Employed Individuals
4. Ordre des CPA du Québec
5. Éducaloi: Legal Information in Plain Language