Understanding the key payroll year-end filing deadlines in Canada is essential for any employer. Missing a CRA payroll remittance deadline can trigger penalties, interest, and unnecessary reviews from the CRA. Each employer is assigned a remitter type — Regular, Quarterly, or Accelerated (Threshold 1 or 2) — and each category has its own payment schedule.
Most Regular remitters must send deductions by the 15th of the following month, while Accelerated remitters must pay within 3 business days after each pay date.
At year-end, all employers must file T4 slips and the T4 Summary by February 28 or 29, which is one of the most important payroll year-end filing deadlines.
Our other tax services:
- Personal Tax Filing
- Business Tax Preparation
- Payroll Processing Services Vancouver
- WCB Employer Registration Coquitlam
- ROE Service BC
Common Mistakes Employers Make Before CRA Payroll Remittance Deadlines
Many businesses run into issues before year-end, not because the rules are complicated, but because certain errors are easy to overlook. Here are the most common ones:
Using outdated CPP, EI, or tax tables
When payroll software isn’t updated for the new year, contribution errors occur — and they often go unnoticed until filing time.Missing deadlines that fall near holidays
January and statutory holidays often cause confusion, leading to late remittances.Incorrect remitter type classification
Businesses sometimes fail to recognize they’ve moved into an Accelerated category based on last year’s total remittances.T4 amounts not matching remitted totals
Any mismatch triggers CRA questions and often delays year-end processing.Filing T4 slips too late
CRA penalties are applied per slip and can become substantial for larger teams.
Our financial services:
- Financial Service BC
- Business Valuation Services BC
- Business Plan Writing Services BC
- Financial Planning Services
- Financial Due Diligence Services
Payroll Year-End Filing Checklist for Small Business Owners
A clean, accurate year-end requires organization. This checklist helps small business owners finish the process smoothly:
✔ Update payroll rates for the new year
Ensure CPP, EI, Basic Personal Amounts, and tax brackets reflect current CRA values.
✔ Reconcile payroll records
Match year-to-date payroll totals with the amounts remitted to the CRA.
✔ Include all taxable benefits
Add benefits such as vehicle allowances, housing allowances, cell phone benefits, and other taxable items.
✔ Prepare and file T4s and the T4 Summary
Submit everything no later than February 28/29 — a key payroll year-end filing deadline in Canada.
✔ Confirm your remitter type
Make sure you’re following the correct CRA payroll remittance schedule.
✔ Update and back up your payroll system
Prevents data inconsistencies and protects year-end records.
✔ Check your CRA My Business Account
Confirm all remittances are properly posted and no balances are outstanding.
Other suggested content:
- Payroll Errors
- How Can I Do Payroll Myself
- Why Payroll Is Important
- Payroll Management Tips
- How to Automate Payroll
- How to Improve Payroll Processing
- Why a Business Plan Is Important
FAQ
1. What is the deadline to file T4 slips in Canada?
All T4 slips and the T4 Summary must be filed by February 28/29 each year.
2. What happens if I miss a CRA payroll remittance deadline?
Late remittances are subject to CRA penalties and interest starting from the very first day of delay.
3. Can a small business become an Accelerated Remitter?
Yes. If your payroll remittances exceed CRA thresholds, you will automatically move to an Accelerated schedule.
4. Do I need payroll software to meet payroll year-end deadlines?
It’s not mandatory, but payroll software significantly reduces calculation errors and ensures compliance.
5. What if I find an error after filing a T4?
You must file a T4 Amendment to correct the error and avoid issues with CRA matching.
6. Do taxable benefits need to be included on T4 slips?
Yes. All taxable benefits must be calculated and reported accurately.
7. Can T4s be filed late without penalties?
Generally no. CRA applies penalties per slip, and they increase based on the number of employees.