How do I make a payment to the CRA?

by TurboTax• Updated 3 days ago

If you owe money to the CRA, there are options available to pay your balance in full, over time, to make instalments, or if you are unable to pay.

It's important that you contact the CRA and communicate your intentions with them as soon as possible.

The deadline to pay your taxes for the current tax year is April 30, 2024.

To make a payment

To make a single partial or full payment, the following options are available:

To pay over time

If you can’t pay your debt right away, you can schedule a series of payments in the My Account / My Business Account portals using a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement.

You can also call the CRA to set up a payment arrangement if you are having trouble with your PAD online.

To pay required instalments

Tax instalments are payments you make throughout the year while you are earning the income (similar to how an employer deducts tax directly from each pay period), to cover the taxes you normally pay in one lump sum on April 30, 2024.

You may have to pay tax instalments for next year's taxes if your net tax owing is more than $3,000 (for Quebec $1,800) for 2024 and in either 2023 or 2022.

Tax instalment payments are due by the following dates (except farmers and fishers who have one due date on December 31):

March 15
June 15
September 15
December 15

If you are unable to pay

If you are unable to pay your debt right now or unable to pay it at all, contact the CRA to discuss your options.

If you ignore your tax responsibilities and debt, or refuse to co-operate with the CRA to eliminate your debt, the CRA may take legal action.