Ontario paperwork calendar
When the paperwork comes due, month by month.
Each deadline with its rule, its official page, and whether it takes a sworn document.
The year, January to December.
11 rules land on a date every year. A few more belong to a season, and where the season is our suggestion rather than a government date, the row says so.
January
January 1
FederalNew TFSA contribution room
The year’s dollar limit is added to your contribution room on January 1. Anything you withdrew comes back as new room on January 1 of the following year.
No sworn document
February
Before March Break
FederalConsent letter for a child’s March Break trip
The Government of Canada recommends that children travelling outside Canada without one or both parents or legal guardians carry a signed consent letter. It is not legally required in Canada, but airline agents may request it, and border officials can ask for proof of permission.
Our suggestion, not a rule: sort it out before the trip is close.
Notary witness recommended
Any adult may witness the signing, but the Government of Canada strongly recommends a notary public.
Book this documentLast day of February
FederalT4 slips from employers
Employers must provide employees with their slips by the last day of February of the following calendar year. The information return is due the same day.
No sworn document
March
Start of March
FederalRRSP contribution deadline
The CRA publishes the exact deadline each year for contributions you want to deduct on last year’s return. It falls at the start of March.
No sworn document
March 15
FederalTax instalment, first of four
Most individuals who have to pay tax instalments pay by this date. Late or insufficient instalments may bring interest and penalty charges.
No sworn document
March 15
OntarioEmployer Health Tax annual return
For employers who have to file: the annual return and any payments owing are due on or before March 15.
No sworn document
April
April 30
FederalPersonal income tax return and balance owing
For most people, the return has to be filed on or before April 30, and payment is due April 30.
No sworn document
May
Before summer travel
FederalPassport application before summer travel
Service standards in Canada, not counting mailing: 10 business days at a passport office or a Service Canada Centre that offers 10-day processing; 20 business days at a regular Service Canada Centre, by mail or online. The Passport Program recommends you don’t finalize travel plans until you get your passport.
Our suggestion, not a rule: spring leaves the service standard room before a summer trip.
Sworn document in some cases
A renewal needs no guarantor. A new passport does; if you can’t find one, there is a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.
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June
Before summer travel
FederalConsent letter for a child’s summer trip
The Government of Canada recommends that children travelling outside Canada without one or both parents or legal guardians carry a signed consent letter. It is not legally required in Canada, but airline agents may request it, and border officials can ask for proof of permission.
Our suggestion, not a rule: sort it out before the trip is close.
Notary witness recommended
Any adult may witness the signing, but the Government of Canada strongly recommends a notary public.
Book this documentJune 15
FederalTax return if you or your spouse are self-employed
If you or your spouse or common-law partner carried on a business, other than one mostly relating to a tax shelter investment, the return must be filed by June 15. A balance owing is still due on or before April 30.
No sworn document
June 15
FederalTax instalment, second of four
Most individuals who have to pay tax instalments pay by this date. Late or insufficient instalments may bring interest and penalty charges.
No sworn document
July
Every July
FederalCanada child benefit recalculated
Payment amounts are recalculated every July from the family net income on the previous year’s tax return. The CRA advises filing on time to prevent a disruption to your benefit and credit payments.
No sworn document
August
Before school starts
OntarioSchool vaccine records or exemption
By law, children and youth are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school, unless there is a valid exemption. You are responsible for reporting vaccinations to your local public health unit.
Our suggestion, not a rule: Ontario sets no date here, and August is ahead of the first day of school.
Sworn document in some cases
An exemption for conscience or religious belief takes an education session, then a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.
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September
September 15
FederalTax instalment, third of four
Most individuals who have to pay tax instalments pay by this date. Late or insufficient instalments may bring interest and penalty charges.
No sworn document
Before October 1
FederalHome Buyers’ Plan: home bought or built
You have to buy or build the qualifying home before October 1 of the year after the year of withdrawal.
No sworn document
October
No rule on this page lands in October. The any-month list applies all year.
November
No rule on this page lands in November. The any-month list applies all year.
December
December 15
FederalTax instalment, last of four
Most individuals who have to pay tax instalments pay by this date. Late or insufficient instalments may bring interest and penalty charges.
No sworn document
December 31
FederalLast RRSP contribution, the year you turn 71
December 31 of the year you turn 71 years of age is the last day you can contribute to your own RRSP.
No sworn document
The feed
Put the dated rules in your own calendar.
11 all-day events that repeat every year, each with its official page in the description.
Subscribe to the calendar
In Google Calendar choose Other calendars, then From URL; in Apple Calendar choose File, then New Calendar Subscription. Paste this address into either:
https://minutenotary.ca/paperwork-calendar.ics
- Left out on purpose
- Seasons with no date of their own, and the 21 rules that count from your own date, such as within 6 days of a purchase. They have nothing to put on a shared calendar.
- Weekends and holidays
- The feed shows the rule’s own date. When a CRA return or instalment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the CRA treats it as on time on the next business day.
- How current it is
- Checked against the official pages on November 5, 2026. Governments change these rules, so the linked page has the last word.
Any month: rules that count from your own date.
No calendar can hold these for you. The clock starts at a purchase, a birth, an expiry date or a last day of work.
Vehicles and cards
Buying a used vehicle
OntarioWithin 6 days of the purchase
You must register your name as the new owner of the vehicle within 6 days of the purchase.
Sworn document in some cases
A family gift needs the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Motor Vehicle to claim the tax exemption.
Book this documentLicence plate renewal
Ontario90 days before it expires
An eligible plate is automatically renewed 90 days before expiration and is valid for 1 year. One that can’t renew automatically gets reminders 90, 45 and 10 days ahead if you signed up, or a letter 90 days ahead. Update your address within 6 days after you move.
No sworn document
Driver’s licence renewal
OntarioEvery 5 years; every 2 from age 80
You must renew your driver’s licence every 5 years. Once you turn 80, you renew every 2 years. A full licence expired or cancelled for more than 1 year means passing some tests before you can renew.
No sworn document
Health card renewal
OntarioEvery 5 years
You must renew your health card every 5 years. You may be able to renew online if your photo card will expire within 180 days or expired within the past 180 days.
No sworn document
Family and estates
Registering a newborn
OntarioWithin 30 days of the birth
A birth in Ontario needs to be registered within 30 days. If you’re eligible you can still register online for free within 12 months. After 12 months the process is longer and has a fee.
Sworn document in some cases
After 12 months, ServiceOntario sends a package for delayed registration of birth.
Book this documentMarriage licence
OntarioValid for 3 months
A marriage licence is valid for 3 months from the date it was issued.
Sworn document in some cases
A parent’s consent for a 16- or 17-year-old is sworn or affirmed before a commissioner. A foreign divorce decree in another language needs a translated copy and an affidavit sworn by a certified translator.
Book this documentFinal tax return of someone who died
FederalApril 30, or 6 months after the death
The final return and any balance owing are due April 30 of the year following the death if it occurred between January 1 and October 31, or 6 months following the death if it occurred between November 1 and December 31. Self-employment changes the filing date.
No sworn document
Estate Information Return
OntarioWithin 180 days of the certificate
You must file an Estate Information Return with the Ministry of Finance within 180 calendar days after the estate certificate is issued.
Sworn document usually involved
The application for the certificate comes first, and each applicant swears it.
Book this document
Courts and housing
Small Claims Court claim
Ontario2 years to file, 6 months to serve
A claim can’t be filed more than two years after the incident in most cases. Give the defendant a copy within six months after the court issued it. The defendant has 20 days after being served to respond.
Sworn document usually involved
An Affidavit of Service (Form 8A) for each defendant proves to the court that you served them.
Book this documentNotice of a rent increase
OntarioAt least 90 days before it starts
The landlord must give a tenant written notice in the proper form at least 90 days before the increase takes effect. A tenant can dispute it at the Landlord and Tenant Board within 12 months after the amount was first charged.
No sworn document
Immigration and passports
Study permit extension
FederalAt least 30 days before it expires
To keep studying at the same school, you must apply to extend your permit at least 30 days before it expires. It cannot be extended beyond your passport’s expiry date.
No sworn document
Work permit extension
FederalAt least 30 days before it expires
You should apply at least 30 calendar days before the expiry date of your current work permit, and consider the processing time for in-Canada applications.
No sworn document
Visitor record to stay longer
FederalAt least 30 days before status ends
You should apply at least 30 days before your current status expires. Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months.
No sworn document
Post-graduation work permit
FederalWithin 180 days of graduating
You have up to 180 days after you graduate to apply. If your study permit has expired and you didn’t change your status to visitor, you have up to 90 days after it expired to apply and restore your status as a student.
No sworn document
Permanent resident card renewal
FederalUnder 9 months left
Renew your PR card if it will expire in less than 9 months or if it has expired. A card is usually valid for 5 years.
Sworn document in some cases
To report a lost or stolen card without asking for a new one, you can submit a solemn declaration.
Book this documentCustodian for a minor on a study permit
FederalWith the study permit application
Minor children under the age of 17 must either come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. Send the Custodianship Declaration form with the study permit application.
Sworn document usually involved
The custodian’s page is notarized in Canada; the parents’ page is notarized in their home country.
Book this documentLost or stolen passport
FederalAs soon as possible
Report the loss or theft to the Passport Program as soon as possible, then apply for a replacement. A passport that is still valid needs form PPTC 203 with the rest of the application.
Sworn document in some cases
PPTC 203 is a declaration concerning the lost or stolen document.
Book this document
Work, pensions and school
CPP retirement pension
FederalUp to 12 months ahead
You must apply to receive it. You can apply up to 12 months before your chosen start date.
No sworn document
Employment Insurance
FederalWithin 4 weeks of your last day
Apply right away. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
No sworn document
Corporation income tax return
FederalWithin 6 months of year-end
File your return within six months of the end of each tax year.
No sworn document
OSAP application and documents
Ontario60 or 40 days before your study period ends
Apply no later than 60 days before the end of your study period if you are full-time or in part-time study of 21 weeks or more, or 40 days for part-time study of 20 weeks or less. Your financial aid office must receive additional documents no later than 40 days before the end. Repayment follows a six-month grace period after you graduate or leave full-time studies.
Sworn document in some cases
When OSAP’s additional documents include a sworn statement, such as an income affidavit.
Book this document
Two governments, one page.
Every row is marked with who sets the rule. The mark tells you which office to ask.
- Ontario
- Set by the Province of Ontario. Read on ontario.ca.
- Federal
- Set by the Government of Canada: the CRA, IRCC, the Passport Program and Service Canada. Read on canada.ca and travel.gc.ca.
Questions about these dates
- When is my tax return due?
- For most people the return has to be filed on or before April 30, and payment is due the same day. If you or your spouse or common-law partner carried on a business, the return is due by June 15, but a balance owing is still due on or before April 30. When a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday recognized by the CRA, the return is on time if received or postmarked on or before the next business day.
- How long do I have to register a used vehicle I bought in Ontario?
- Six days. Ontario says you must register your name as the new owner within 6 days of the purchase. A vehicle given as a family gift can avoid the retail sales tax, and that takes the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift of a Used Motor Vehicle.
- How early should I apply to extend a study or work permit?
- At least 30 days before it expires. IRCC says you must apply at least 30 days ahead to keep studying at the same school, and that you should apply at least 30 calendar days ahead for a work permit. A study permit cannot be extended beyond your passport’s expiry date.
- Does a child’s travel consent letter have to be notarized?
- A consent letter is not legally required in Canada, though airline agents may ask for one and the Government of Canada recommends that a child travelling without one or both parents carry it. Any adult may witness the signing; the Government of Canada strongly recommends a notary public.
- How often do I renew my driver’s licence and health card?
- Every 5 years for each. Once you turn 80, the driver’s licence is renewed every 2 years. You may be able to renew both together if they expire at the same time and you don’t need a new photo.
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