GST filing deadlines every Abbotsford business should know in 2026
Monthly, quarterly, or annual? Here are the GST filing deadlines that trip up Fraser Valley small businesses — and how to never miss one again.
Of all the deadlines the CRA sets, GST filing is the one we see missed most often by small businesses in Abbotsford and across the Fraser Valley. The rules aren't complicated once they're explained — but the penalties for getting them wrong compound fast.
Your GST filing frequency depends on your annual taxable revenue, and each frequency has its own filing and payment deadline. Here's the plain-English version.
How often do you have to file?
- Under $1.5M in taxable revenue: annual filing (quarterly instalments may apply)
- $1.5M to $6M: quarterly filing
- Over $6M: monthly filing
- You can also elect to file more often — many small businesses choose quarterly to stay on top of it
The deadlines that actually matter
For monthly and quarterly filers, both the return and the payment are due one month after the end of your reporting period. File a Q1 return covering January to March? It's due April 30.
For annual filers, it depends on your fiscal year-end. Most small businesses with a December 31 year-end must file and pay by June 15, but the balance owing is due by April 30 — a mismatch that catches people every year.
If you're a sole proprietor, your annual GST return is due June 15 to line up with your personal tax filing, but again, any balance owing is due April 30.
Every 2026 GST due date, in one list
Print this, or better, put each date in your calendar with a reminder two weeks ahead. If a date lands on a weekend or a statutory holiday, the CRA accepts the next business day.
- Quarterly filers — Jan to Mar quarter: file and pay by April 30, 2026.
- Quarterly filers — Apr to Jun quarter: file and pay by July 31, 2026.
- Quarterly filers — Jul to Sep quarter: file and pay by October 31, 2026.
- Quarterly filers — Oct to Dec quarter: file and pay by January 31, 2027.
- Monthly filers: file and pay by the last day of the following month, every month.
- Annual filers, incorporated with a Dec 31 year-end: file and pay by March 31, 2026.
- Annual filers, self-employed with a Dec 31 year-end: pay any balance by April 30, 2026; file by June 15, 2026.
- Annual filers with instalments: instalments due April 30, July 31, October 31, 2026 and January 31, 2027.
What happens if you're late
If you have a balance owing and file late, the CRA charges a penalty of 1% of the amount owing plus 0.25% for each full month the return is late, up to 12 months. On top of that, compound daily interest runs until the balance is cleared.
The GST you collected was never your money — it's held in trust for the government. That's why the CRA treats late GST far more seriously than a late income tax return.
Never miss another deadline
The simplest fix is to hand it off. When we handle your GST filing in Abbotsford, we track every deadline, reconcile your books, claim every Input Tax Credit you're owed, and file on time — every time. You get a confirmation and a full audit trail.
Behind on a few returns already? Don't wait. Send us a message and we'll get you caught up before the penalties grow.
Common questions
When is my GST return due in 2026?
Monthly and quarterly filers are due one month after the end of the reporting period. Annual filers are generally due three months after the fiscal year-end, or June 15 with a December 31 year-end if you are self-employed.
Is the payment deadline the same as the filing deadline?
Not always. Annual filers who are individuals must file by June 15 but pay by April 30, and annual filers with instalments have quarterly instalment due dates through the year.
What if I have no sales for the period — do I still file?
Yes. A nil return is still a required return. Skipping it is one of the most common ways BC businesses accidentally trigger penalties and CRA demand letters.
What are the 2026 quarterly GST due dates in BC?
For a calendar-quarter filer: the January to March quarter is due April 30, 2026; April to June is due July 31, 2026; July to September is due October 31, 2026; and October to December is due January 31, 2027. Both the return and the payment are due on those dates.
What happens if the GST deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
The CRA treats a return and payment as on time if it is received on the next business day. Electronic payments still need to be initiated early enough that your financial institution processes them by that day.
Can I change my GST filing frequency?
Yes. You can elect a more frequent reporting period than the CRA assigned, using form GST20 or your CRA My Business Account. The election generally takes effect at the start of a fiscal year, so make the request before the year begins.
Do BC PST returns have the same deadlines as GST?
No. BC PST is filed separately through eTaxBC and is generally due by the last day of the month following the end of your reporting period. Your PST frequency is assigned by the BC Ministry of Finance and does not have to match your GST frequency.
Not sure your GST filings are on track?
Bring your filing frequency, last return, or CRA letter to a free consultation. We'll explain the next practical step.
Every enquiry gets a reply within one business day. Nothing is billed until you accept a flat fee in writing.
Averon Accounting is a bookkeeper in Abbotsford, BC serving small businesses across the Fraser Valley. See what bookkeeping costs in BC or check your CRA deadlines.
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