What Is the Final Tax Return Due Date When Someone Dies in British Columbia?
This answer covers the law of British Columbia.
The final return is due April 30 of the year after death if the person died between January 1 and October 31. If the person died between November 1 and December 31, it is due 6 months after the date of death, and any balance owing is due on that date too.
If the deceased or a spouse or common-law partner living with them carried on a business, a death from January 1 to December 15 means the return is due June 15 of the following year, and a death from December 16 to December 31 means 6 months after death. That later date is not available where business expenditures were mainly tax shelter investments. Any balance owing is still due on the regular payment date, with interest from the next day.
A late return costs 5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month late, to a maximum of 12 months, plus compound daily interest. The penalty may be higher if one was assessed in the previous 3 years, and the CRA may cancel penalties or interest for circumstances beyond your control. A lawyer or accountant can confirm which date applies.
Key takeaways
- For a death from January 1 to October 31, the final return is due April 30 of the following year.
- For a death from November 1 to December 31, the return and any balance owing are due 6 months after the date of death.
- If the deceased or a spouse or common-law partner living with them ran a business, a death from January 1 to December 15 moves the filing date to June 15, but not the payment date, and the later date is not available where the business's expenditures were mainly tax shelter investments.
- A late final return carries a 5% penalty plus 1% per full month late, to a maximum of 12 months, and interest.