- Canadian Bookkeeping Compliance Resource
- Payroll Tax Guide
- Payroll Tax Filing Deadlines
Payroll Tax Filing Deadlines
For Canadian Small Business
By L.Kenway BComm CPB Retired
Published January 1, 2024 | Edited April 20, 2024
WHAT'S IN THIS ARTICLE
PD7A Deadline | T4 deadline | Electronic T4 | T4 Prep Tip
NEXT IN SERIES >> Payroll Tax Guide
Get all your ducks in a row so you can file on time!Worker Relationship Status?
A. Employer-Employee | Contract of Service
B. Independent Contractor | Contract For Services
Help getting all your ducks in a row
What are you looking for? GST deadlines, payroll deadlines, business income tax, independent contractor deadlines ... WHAT! There are deadlines for independent contractors?
Pieces Of The Puzzle Coming Together
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS POST
- Source Deductions Remittance Deadline Form PD7A
Remittance deadline is determined your remitter type; CRA calculates your average monthly withholding amount (AMWA). They add up all source deductions sent over the past two years divided by the numbers of payment periods over one year.
- T4 Slip Deadline - Paper or Electronic
T4 slips must be issued to your employees by the last day of February each year.
- T4 Electronic Copies Requirement
Employers can provide an electronic copy of the T4 if the employer has received the employee's consent in writing or electronic format.
- T4 Preparation Tip
When an employee is PAID (not earned) determines the payroll remittance due date.
Payroll Tax Filing Deadlines - Form PD7A
CRA determines your remitter type by calculating your average monthly withholding amount (AMWA). They add up all source deductions sent over the past two years divided by the numbers of payment periods over one year.
If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
| Assigned Reporting Period | Form PD7A Filing DEADLINE | Payment DEADLINE | AMWA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterly - new small employers | 15th of April, July, October, January | Same as filing deadline | Not based on AMWA* |
| Quarterly - after 1 year | 15th of April, July, October, January | Same as filing deadline | L.T. $3,000* |
| Monthly | 15th day of following month | Same as filing deadline | L.T. $25,000 ($15,000 prior to 2015) |
| Semi-Monthly | 25th day of same month and 10th day of following month |
Same as filing deadline | $25,000 to $100,000 ($15,000 to $50,000 prior to 2015) |
| Weekly | Due 3rd work day after the period** | Same as filing deadline | G.T. $100,000 ($50,000 prior to 2015) |
Payroll Tax Filing Footnotes
*Must have perfect payroll tax compliance history over a twelve month period to qualify. If not, you must remit monthly. If you qualify, CRA will notify you.
**Remittances must be done through a Canadian financial institution one full day prior to the due date to avoid penalty charges.
Payroll taxes are also referred to as source deductions. Source deductions are reported on a quarterly, monthly, semi-monthly or weekly basis on form PD7A. Your reporting period is assigned by CRA based on your remitter type (discussed below). Revenue Canada mails the form ahead of your due date enabling you to meet your tax filing deadlines.
You have two options for filing online:
- Using My Payment
- Through your financial institution. It may require payment of an initial administration fee to get setup.
T4 Preparation Tip
When an employee is PAID (not earned) determines the payroll remittance due date.
Don't confuse this with GAAP guidelines for the matching principle where you record wages when they are earned (worked) not paid.
For small businesses, monthly filers are the most common reporting period with quarterly filers being the other common period. Currently NEW EMPLOYERS start as monthly remitters.
In 2016, as per the Federal Budget Economic Action Plan, CRA introduced quarterly remittances for new employers "with monthly withholdings of less than $1000 AND maintain a perfect compliance record in respite of their Canadian tax obligations".
If you are going to be tempted to spend the withholdings instead of treating them as funds held in trust, I recommend you do not move to quarterly filing even if it is offered to you. Remember you are trying to get all your ducks in row. Spending funds that are not yours to spend will take you down a whole other path and likely down the rabbit hole mentioned earlier. Remember you are trying to create new habits that will give you a successful outcome.
Good Bookkeeping Habits
Small Daily Habits Can Move Mountains
What is the Deadline for T4 Slips To Be Issued?
Can I Provide Electronic Copies Instead of Paper Copies?
T4 slips must be issued to your employees by the last day of February each year.
Employers need to have released T4 slips to employees on or before the due date. Failure to do so results in hefty fines.
If you are wondering whether you can give the employee an electronic copy of the T4 instead of mailing or handing out the paper slip ... CRA says yes "if you have received the employee's consent in writing or electronic format".
See the Canada Revenue RC4120 Employers Guide - Filing the T4 slip and Summary.
What is the easiest way to meet your tax filing deadline for T4 Summary and slips?
Other Compliance Obligations
Maintaining the Corporate Minute Book | The Annual Filing
Basic information on maintaining the corporate minute book and your annual registration requirements ... also referred to as The Annual Report / Filing.
Small Business Bookkeeping | Basic Bookkeeping
Small business bookkeeping is an age old system designed to keep financial records in an organized way. Technology has made it easier than ever to learn.
