CRA Tax Instalment Calculator
See your quarterly instalment payments under all three CRA methods, with the March, June, September, and December due dates. Free, instant, no signup.
| Method | Mar 15 | Jun 15 | Sep 15 | Dec 15 | Year Total |
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How CRA Tax Instalments Work
If most of your income has no tax withheld at source — you're self-employed, collect rent, live off investments, or have pension income with too little withholding — the CRA expects you to pre-pay your tax in four quarterly instalments instead of one lump sum at filing.
your net tax owing is more than $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) in the current year and in either of the two previous years. If you're below the threshold, you don't have to pay instalments at all.
The three options explained
- No-calculation option: the amounts CRA prints on your instalment reminders. Front-loaded on 2 years ago, then trued-up to last year. Pay these and you never owe instalment interest.
- Prior-year option: last year's net tax split into four equal payments. Also protects you from interest.
- Current-year option: your estimated tax this year split into four. Lowest payments if your income dropped — but you owe interest if you underestimate.
The due dates are always March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. This calculator is an estimate — your official amounts come from the CRA instalment reminders mailed to you or in CRA My Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone whose net tax owing exceeds $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) this year and in one of the two prior years — often the self-employed, investors, landlords, and retirees.
March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 — the next business day if a date lands on a weekend or holiday.
The no-calculation and prior-year options always avoid instalment interest. The current-year option can trigger interest if you underestimate.
If you were required to pay and don't, the CRA charges instalment interest and possibly a penalty on top of the tax you still owe.