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.
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.