August 15, 2026 fell on a Saturday, so the regular monthly payroll remittance deadline moved to Monday, August 17, 2026. That’s the near-term date. The bigger one is August 31, when monthly GST/HST returns and corporate tax (T2) instalments come due.
What's Due August 17
If your business remits payroll deductions monthly, your July source deductions are due August 17. That covers CPP, EI, and income tax withheld from employees. This only applies to regular remitters.
If you’re on an accelerated schedule, your deadlines fall earlier in the month. Threshold 1 remitters pay twice monthly, by the 25th and the 10th. Those calendar dates shift to the next business day on a weekend or holiday. Threshold 2 remitters pay within three working days of each pay period. Their deadlines are already set in business days, so they don’t shift the same way.
Missing a remittance deadline is expensive fast, the penalty starts at 3% and climbs to 10% within a week. The rate depends on how late you are:
- 3% for 1–3 days
- 5% for 4–5 days
- 7% for 6–7 days
- 10% for more than 7 days
What's Due August 31
Two filings land on this date, plus a note on where quarterly GST/HST actually fits:
- Monthly GST/HST returns. If you file monthly, your return and any net tax owing for the previous period are due.
- Quarterly GST/HST returns. These aren’t instalments. Q2 (April–June) returns were due July 31. Q3 (July–September) returns are due Monday, November 2, 2026, since October 31 falls on a Saturday. Nothing quarterly lands on August 31 itself.
- Corporate tax (T2) instalments. CCPCs on monthly or quarterly instalments need their August payment in by month-end. If your corporation owed more than $3,000 in federal tax in the current or prior year, instalments are required. That $3,000 threshold is specific to corporate tax and doesn’t apply to GST/HST.
What to Check Before the Deadlines Hit
- Confirm your July source deductions have gone through your bank or the CRA portal
- Pull together receipts, subscriptions, and equipment invoices for the reporting period. That’s July for monthly filers, or Q2 for quarterly filers, so nothing gets missed on your GST/HST input tax credits
- Check last year’s T2 liability against this year’s instalment amount. Under-remitting triggers instalment interest, and a potential penalty if that interest exceeds $1,000
- Make sure your CRA My Business Account contact details are current, so remittance and assessment notices actually reach you
How Legend Fusions Can Help
We handle payroll remittances, GST/HST filings, and T2 instalment planning for small business and corporate clients. Our aim is that deadlines like these don’t land as a surprise. Our payroll service currently covers Ontario-based clients; GST/HST filing and T2 instalment support are available across Canada.
Contact Legend Fusions if you want your remittance schedule or instalment amounts reviewed before month-end.
Jeffrey Ross
Jeffrey Ross is an experienced tax accountant focused on US-Canada cross-border taxation, with over three years in the industry, including a key role as client manager at a Canadian tax firm. He provides expertise in corporate and personal tax planning, specializing in non-resident tax, capital gains, CRA and IRS compliance, and retirement planning. Known for his personalized approach, Jeffrey is dedicated to guiding clients with clear, practical advice tailored to complex tax scenarios, aligned with the evolving tax laws.