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How to Pay Your Personal Taxes Online: A simple, friendly guide

  • Mar 25
  • 3 min read

Updated: Mar 28







Owe a balance on your 2025 individual tax return? We’ve put together your online payment options to ensure your payment arrives in the right place, on time, with no surprises.


Important date to remember: Most individuals must pay any balance owing for the 2025 tax year by April 30, 2026. If you’re self‑employed, your return is due June 15, 2026—but your balance still needs to be paid by April 30, 2026. For special situations (deceased, non‑resident, emigrant), check the CRA’s official timelines.


Tip: Always verify the latest 2026 guidance on the CRA website before you pay.



Your Online Payment Options

1) Online banking (bank or credit union)

  • What you do:

    • Add “CRA” as a payee in your online banking and choose the right payment type (e.g., "CRA (revenue) - 2025 tax return")

    • Enter your 9-digit social insurance number as your account number

    • Enter your details carefully so the CRA can match your payment to you


  • Timing: Expect a few business days for your payment to show up in My Account (keep a buffer if you’re close to the deadline). Guidance on instalment processing times is similar: How to pay instalments.



2) CRA's "My Payment" service (directly from your bank account)

  • You may use this method using either: a Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard

  • What you do:

    • Use CRA’s My Payment tool to pay securely from your bank account:

      • Press green 'Pay now using My Payment' button

      • choose 'Individual income tax (T1)'

      • choose whichever option applies to you - like '2025 - tax return' or 'Instalments'

      • enter your social insurance number and the amount you are paying

      • continue following the prompts


  • Timing: Generally considered received the day funds are withdrawn; updates usually appear within 2-3 business days in My Account

    • Payments processed after 10 pm on weekends or statutory holidays will be dated the next business day


3) Pre-authorized debit (PAD) in My Account

  • What you do:

    • Schedule one or more payments from your Canadian chequing account

    • Your first payment date must be at least 5 business days after you set it up. You can modify, cancel, or skip a payment online—but do so at least 5 business days before the withdrawal date. Step‑by‑step: Pay by scheduled pre‑authorized debit (PAD)


  • Timing: Considered paid the day the funds are withdrawn (after 6:00 pm ET, weekends, or holidays process next business day). Appears in My Account within ~2 business days


4) Credit card (using a third-party provider)




Instalment payments

if the CRA asks you to pay quarterly

If the CRA has asked you to pay tax instalments or sends you instalment reminders, here’s how to handle them:

  • Your options for paying instalments online: through My Payment, online banking, or PAD

  • Confirm your instalments: Allow 3 business days for online payments then check My Account

  • Overpaid? Ask for a refund by letter to your tax centre or by calling the CRA (1-800-959-8281). More details: How to pay instalments

  • Want to reduce instalments? You may reduce or eliminate instalments by increasing tax withheld on pensions, OAS, CPP, or employer pay—find the appropriate forms here



Interest and penalties:

what happens if you’re late

  • Interest starts the day after the due date (April 30, 2026 for most) and compounds daily. Rates change quarterly—check the current rate on the CRA website before you calculate.


  • If you can’t pay in full, consider a payment arrangement (PAD series) to avoid collection action—just make sure you start the payments.



Common pitfalls to avoid


  • Cutting it too close - Payments can take several business days to process. Always give yourself buffer time.


  • Forgetting the “label” - If your SIN and the tax year are not clearly labelled, the CRA may record your payment incorrectly, or they may take longer to process it.



When to get extra help

If your situation is complex (non‑resident tax, bankruptcy, deceased returns, payments spanning multiple years, or you’re struggling to pay), contact the CRA or speak with a qualified tax professional.





Helpful CRA resources (bookmark these)

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