You made it past the February filings — but March isn’t done with you yet. We know you’re catching your breath after the T4/T5 deadline rush. But while you’re busy planning, Spring product drops and optimizing your store for the season ahead, the CRA has a few more dates circled on their calendar — and they need to be on yours too.

This isn’t just another tax reminder. Think of this as your strategic briefing — the kind that helps you stay ahead, protect your cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes that could derail your growth momentum.

The “Hidden” Deadline: NR4s — Due March 31, 2026

This deadline is often overlooked. If you paid a non-resident individual or company in 2025, you might need to file an NR4 Return.

Ask yourself:

  • Is your landlord a non-resident?
  • Are you paying dividends to a non-resident shareholder?
  • Are you paying royalties for designs, patents, or licensing?

If you answered yes to any of these, let’s talk before March 31. Missing this deadline can trigger penalties and audits that cost far more than compliance.

Cash Flow Alert: March 15 Installment

If you’re an individual required to pay tax by installments, your first payment for 2026 is due March 15. If you’re a corporation required to pay by installments, you may need to pay monthly or you may qualify for quarterly installments.

Here’s the challenge: You’re paying based on your income last year.

Smart strategy: If your current income is significantly lower than last year, we might be able to reduce this installment. Don’t drain your cash reserves unnecessarily — let’s run the numbers together before you pay.

This is where tailored accounting makes all the difference. Cookie-cutter approaches don’t account for all the different scenarios.

Trend Watch: The Cost of Customer Acquisition

Good news: ad costs on Meta and Google typically dip in Q1 compared to the Q4 holiday frenzy. This is your window to test new creative ideas and optimize your campaigns without breaking the bank.

Critical insight: make sure your bookkeeping separates “Ad Spend” from general marketing expenses. If everything gets lumped into “Advertising,” you can’t calculate your true ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) — and you can’t see what’s actually driving profit versus what’s just noise.

Nadine’s Corner

Is it spring yet? 🌷 I’m seeing so many clients panic about the April 30 deadline already. Here’s what I want you to remember: organization beats anxiety every single time.

Even if you aren’t ready to file, just take 10 minutes this Friday to round up any T-slips that have recently arrived in the mail or gather all of your donation receipts. Toss them all into one designated folder. Your future self will want to high-five you when the April 30 deadline rolls around and everything is already in one place.

Ready to Take Control?

Stop managing accounting alone. Let’s make it the easiest part of your business. Contact us at netaccounting.ca

Stay profitable,

– The Net Accounting Team

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. A qualified professional should review your specific situation.