If you run a small business in Scarborough, you already know how fast the year moves. Between serving customers and managing staff, tax deadlines can slip. Missing one costs real money: the CRA charges penalties starting at 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% per month after that, up to 12 months.
This guide covers every key tax deadline for Scarborough small business owners in 2026. We wrote it based on what we see every day at our office on Markham Road, working with local businesses across Scarborough, the GTA, and Ontario.
Personal Tax Returns (T1) for Self-Employed Scarborough Residents
If you operate a sole proprietorship or partnership in Scarborough, your personal income tax return (T1) has two dates to remember:
- April 30, 2026: Any balance owing to the CRA must be paid by this date, regardless of your filing deadline. Interest accrues daily on late payments at the CRA prescribed rate.
- June 15, 2026: Filing deadline for self-employed individuals and their spouses. You get the extra time to file, but not to pay.
This catches a lot of Scarborough business owners off guard. You can file in June, but if you owe money, it needed to be paid by April 30. The interest starts May 1.
Corporation Tax Returns (T2)
If your Scarborough business is incorporated, your T2 corporate tax return is due six months after your fiscal year-end. For businesses with a December 31 year-end, that means June 30, 2026.
However, any tax owing is due two months after year-end (three months for eligible CCPCs). For a December 31 year-end:
- March 1, 2026: Corporation tax balance due (standard)
- March 31, 2026: Corporation tax balance due (if you qualify as a CCPC with taxable income under $500,000 in the prior year)
The combined federal and Ontario small business tax rate is 12.2% on the first $500,000 of active business income. Above that, the general corporate rate is 26.5%.
HST Filing and Remittance Deadlines
Most small businesses in Scarborough file HST annually, quarterly, or monthly depending on revenue:
- Annual filers (under $1.5M in revenue): Return due three months after fiscal year-end. For December 31 year-end, that is March 31, 2026.
- Quarterly filers ($1.5M to $6M): Due one month after each quarter ends. Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar) is due April 30, 2026.
- Monthly filers (over $6M): Due one month after each reporting period.
Ontario's HST rate is 13% (5% federal GST + 8% provincial). If your Scarborough business earns more than $30,000 in taxable supplies over four consecutive quarters, you must register.
One thing we tell clients: if you are close to the $30,000 threshold, registering voluntarily can work in your favour. You can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) on business purchases, which often offsets what you collect.
Payroll Remittance Deadlines
If your Scarborough business has employees, you must remit CPP, EI, and income tax deductions to the CRA on a schedule based on your average monthly withholding amount (AMWA):
- Regular remitter (AMWA under $25,000): Due by the 15th of the month following the pay period.
- Accelerated remitter (threshold 1) (AMWA $25,000-$99,999.99): Due by the 25th of the month for pay in the first 15 days, and the 10th of the next month for pay in the last half.
- Accelerated remitter (threshold 2) (AMWA $100,000+): Due by the third working day after the pay period end.
For 2026, the CPP1 employee contribution rate is 5.95% on earnings between $3,500 and $71,300. CPP2 applies at 4% on earnings between $71,300 and $81,200. EI premiums are $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings up to $65,700.
T4 and T4A Slips
You must issue T4 slips to every employee and file them with the CRA by February 28, 2027 for the 2026 tax year. T4A slips for subcontractors, commissions, or other income follow the same deadline.
Late filing penalty: $100 for each day late, to a maximum of $7,500.
RRSP Contribution Deadline
For the 2025 tax year, the RRSP deadline is March 2, 2026. The maximum deduction is $32,490 (or 18% of your 2024 earned income, whichever is less), plus any unused room carried forward.
If you pay yourself a salary from your corporation, your RRSP room is based on that salary. Dividends do not create RRSP contribution room. This is a factor Scarborough business owners should discuss with their accountant when deciding between salary and dividends.
Record-Keeping Reminder
The CRA requires you to keep all business records for six years from the end of the tax year they relate to. That includes bank statements, invoices, receipts, payroll records, and HST documentation. Digital records are accepted, but they must be accessible and readable if the CRA asks.
For more on this, read our Record Keeping Best Practices guide.
Quick Reference: 2026 Deadlines at a Glance
| Deadline | What |
|---|---|
| Feb 28, 2026 | T4/T4A filing (2025 tax year) |
| Mar 1, 2026 | Corporate tax balance owing (Dec 31 year-end, standard) |
| Mar 2, 2026 | RRSP contribution deadline (2025 tax year) |
| Mar 31, 2026 | HST annual return (Dec 31 year-end); CCPC tax balance owing |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Personal tax payment deadline; HST Q1 quarterly return |
| Jun 15, 2026 | Self-employed T1 filing deadline |
| Jun 30, 2026 | T2 corporate return filing (Dec 31 year-end) |
| 15th monthly | Payroll remittance (regular remitters) |
Get Help With Your Scarborough Business Taxes
At CanMore Accounting, we work with small businesses across Scarborough and the GTA from our office at 310-1585 Markham Road. Whether you need tax preparation, bookkeeping, or payroll management, we handle the CRA so you can focus on your business.
Call us at 416-477-0644 or book a consultation to get your 2026 tax calendar sorted.
