What Is the Due Date for Filing a Bare Trust T3 Return With the CRA in Canada?

This answer covers Canadian federal tax law, which applies in every province.

When a reportable bare trust must file a T3 return, it is due no later than 90 days after the trust's tax year-end. A reportable bare trust that is also a listed trust need not file unless requested. Most trusts have a December 31 year-end, so for a December 31, 2026 year-end the due date is March 31, 2027. If the date falls on a weekend or CRA-recognized holiday, the next business day applies.

The first returns are not required until the 2026 year, because reportable bare trusts are subject to the filing rules only for taxation years ending on or after December 31, 2026.

Missing the deadline can bring a late-filing penalty. If the trust has no unpaid tax on the due date, the penalty is $25 a day, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $2,500, and a bare trust usually has no tax payable. Where tax is unpaid, it is 5% of that tax plus 1% for each full month late, to a maximum of 12 months. Higher rates can apply if the CRA already assessed a penalty in one of the three preceding years after a demand to file. A lawyer or accountant can confirm which applies to you.