08/26/2026
π’ Got a CRA Instalment Reminder This August?
Before you automatically pay the amount shown, it may be worth taking a few minutes to check whether it still reflects your actual 2026 tax situation.
If you recently received an Instalment Reminder from CRA, thereβs an important date coming up:
π
September 15, 2026
This is especially relevant if youβre:
πΈ Self-employed
πΈ Earning rental income
πΈ Receiving significant investment income
πΈ Working more than one job
πΈ Earning commission income
πΈ Receiving income where little or no tax is withheld
The key point:
Receiving a CRA instalment reminder does not necessarily mean the suggested amount is exactly what you should pay.
CRA calculates the suggested amount using information it already has.
But your 2026 situation may be different.
Maybe:
πΈ Your business income is lower this year
πΈ You sold a rental property
πΈ Your investment income changed
πΈ Your income increased significantly
CRA provides different methods for calculating instalments, including a current-year option based on your estimated 2026 tax situation.
π‘ Hereβs a simple example:
Suppose CRA asks you to pay a $5,000 instalment on September 15.
If your income has dropped substantially in 2026, you may not necessarily need to simply pay the $5,000 without reviewing the calculation first.
Your actual instalment requirement should be assessed under the applicable CRA rules.
But ignoring the reminder isnβt the answer either.
β οΈ If instalments are required and you pay too little or pay late, instalment interest β and potentially penalties β may apply.
Important 2026 instalment dates:
π
March 15
π
June 15
π
September 15
π
December 15
For most taxpayers outside Quebec, instalments may be required when net tax owing is more than $3,000 for 2026 and also exceeded $3,000 in either 2025 or 2024.
So before September 15, donβt just ask:
βHow much does CRA say I should pay?β
A better question is:
βBased on my actual 2026 income, how much should I be paying?β
π Received an August CRA Instalment Reminder?
If youβre unsure whether the amount still makes sense, this is a good time to have it reviewed β before making the payment.
Bring your CRA instalment reminder together with your latest 2026 income information.
We can review your estimated tax position, consider the applicable CRA instalment calculation options, and help you understand whether the September amount still makes sense before the September 15 deadline.
Sometimes the CRA amount may be appropriate.
Sometimes your current-year circumstances may support a different calculation.
The important part is knowing which situation applies to you before the deadline arrives.
π¬ If you received a CRA instalment reminder and arenβt sure what to do with it, feel free to reach out for a review.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency β Required Tax Instalments for Individuals
(General information only. Individual tax circumstances vary, and this post is not a substitute for personalized tax advice.)