Penalty for late-filing a final return

If you file the final return late and there is a balance owing, we will charge a late filing penalty. We will also charge you interest on both the balance owing and any penalty. The penalty is 5% of any balance owing, plus 1% of the balance owing for each full month that the return is late, to a maximum of 12 months. The late-filing penalty may be higher if we charged a late-filing penalty on a return for any of the three previous years.

In certain situations, we may cancel this penalty and interest if you file the return late because of circumstances beyond your control. If this happens, complete Form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief: Cancel or Waive Penalties or Interest, or include a letter with the return explaining why you filed the return late. For more information, go to Taxpayer relief provisions or see Information Circular IC07-1, Taxpayer Relief Provisions.

Forms and publications

• Information Sheet RC4111, Canada Revenue Agency - What to Do Following a Death
• Guide T4011, Preparing Returns for Deceased Persons
• Information Circular IC07-1, Taxpayer Relief Provisions

Related topics

• Taxpayer relief provisions and voluntary disclosures
• Due date for the final return
• Due date for a balance owing

Date modified:

2016-01-05