Carrying on a business in Canada
Income tax return filing requirements
All corporations that carry on business in Canada or dispose of taxable Canadian property have to file a T2 corporation income tax return each tax year, even if no tax is payable. This includes:
- non-profit organizations
- tax-exempt corporations
- inactive corporations
The only exceptions to this rule are tax-exempt Crown corporations, Hutterite colonies, and corporations that were registered charities throughout the year.
A non-resident corporation is subject to Canadian income tax and has to file a T2 return if, at any time in the year, the corporation carried on business in Canada, had a taxable capital gain, or disposed of taxable Canadian property.
This applies even if the corporation claims that any profits or gains it realizes are exempt from tax in Canada due to the provisions of a tax treaty.
In certain situations, a non-resident corporation does not have to file a T2 return, even if it had a taxable capital gain or disposed of taxable Canadian property.
For more information about these situations, along with situations in which a non-resident corporation has to file a T2 return, see Find out if you have to file a corporation income tax return (T2).
Filing-due date
The T2 corporation income tax return (other than elective returns) must be filed no later than six months after the end of each tax year.
A corporation's tax year is its fiscal period.
If your corporation has to file a T2 Corporation Income Tax Return, see Guide T4012, T2 Corporation – Income Tax Guide.
How to reach the CRA
If you have a question about a non-resident corporation account, contact the Canada Revenue Agency for international tax and non-resident enquiries.