When to file your T3 return
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When to file your T3 return
Due date for filing the T3 return
The filing due date depends on the trust's tax year-end.
Filing dates
In the same calendar year, you have to file the T3 return, the related T3 slips, NR4 slips, and T3 and NR4 summaries no later than 90 days after the trust’s tax year-end (see “Tax year-end and fiscal period” on this page). You should also pay any balance owing no later than 90 days after the trust’s tax 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” in Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide.
If you mail the 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, a Sunday, or a public holiday recognized by the CRA, we consider your payment to be on time if we receive it on the next business day. Your return is considered on time if we receive it or if it is postmarked on or before the next business day. For more information, go to Important dates for 2016.
For information on late-filing penalties and interest on unpaid taxes, see “Penalties and interest” on this page.
Deadline for distributing T3 slips – You must send the T3 slips to the beneficiary’s last known address no later than 90 days after the end of the 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.
Final return
For a graduated rate estate, you have to file the final T3 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 1 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, you have to file the final T3 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 the trust’s tax year-end.
In either case, you should get a clearance certificate before you distribute the trust property. For more information, see Clearance certificate.
Forms and publications
- Date modified:
- 2017-01-04