Filing dates

In the same calendar year, you have to file the trust return, the related T3 slips, NR4 slips, and T3 and NR4 summaries no later than 90 days after the trust’s tax year-end. You should also pay any balance owing no later than 90 days after that year-end.

Tax Tip

For Mutual Fund Trusts that filed an election to have a tax year-end of December 15, where the pre-loss restriction event year-end is after December 15 in that calendar year, the NR4 return must be filed within 90 days after the end of that December 15 tax year. In any other case, the NR4 return must be filed within 90 days after the end of the calendar year during which the pre-loss restriction event year-ends.

If you do not have the information slips you need to complete the return when it is due, estimate the income. If, after you receive the slips, you find your estimate differs from the actual amounts, send the slips and a letter to us, requesting an adjustment to the trust’s income. For more information, see “Reassessments”.

For NR4 Slips

For mutual fund trusts that filed an election to have a tax year-end of December 15, and the pre-loss restriction event year-end is after December 15 in a calendar year, the NR4 slip must be filed no later than 90 days after the end of that year. In any other case, the NR4 slip must be filed no later than 90 days after the end of the calendar year in which the pre-loss restriction event ends.

Received dates

If you mail a return first class, or if you use an equivalent delivery service, we consider the date of the postmark on the envelope to be the day you filed the return.

When the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday recognized by the CRA:

• Your return is considered on time if the CRA receives it, or if it is postmarked on or before the next business day.
• Your payment is considered on time if the CRA receives it on or it is processed at a Canadian financial institution on or before the next business day.

For more information, go to When to file a trust return.

For information on penalties on late-filed returns, and interest on unpaid taxes, see “Penalties and interest".

For more information, go to Important dates for Individuals.

Deadline for distributing T3 slips

You must send T3 slips to the beneficiary’s last known address no later than 90 days after the end of a trust’s tax year. If you have the information you need to complete the slips before that deadline, we encourage you to send them to the beneficiaries as early as possible.

Missing slips

If you do not have the information slips you need to complete a return when it is due, estimate the income. If, after you receive the slips, you find your estimate differs from the actual amounts, send the slips and a letter to us, asking for an adjustment to the trust’s income. For more information, see Reassessments in Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide.

Penalties and interest

For information on late-filing penalties and interest on unpaid taxes, see Penalties and interest in Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide.

Final return

For a testamentary trust that is a graduated rate estate, you have to file the final trust return and pay any balance owing no later than 90 days after the trust’s wind-up (discontinuation) date. Enter the wind-up date on page 2 of the return.

If you wind up a graduated rate estate, the tax year will end on the date of the final distribution of the assets.

If you wind up an inter vivos trust or a testamentary trust (other than a graduated rate estate), you have to file the final trust return and pay any balance owing no later than 90 days after the trust’s tax year-end. However, you may want to file the final return before that time.

In either case, you should get a clearance certificate before you distribute trust property. For more information, see Clearance certificate.

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