What You Need to Know About the Q2 2026 Rates
Effective April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) prescribed the following rates:
| Situation | Rate Charged on Overdue Amounts | Rate Paid on Overpayments |
|---|---|---|
| Individual income tax / CPP / EI | 7% | Non-corporate taxpayer 5% |
| Corporate taxpayer overpayments | – | 3% |
| Interest-free or low interest loans for employees/shareholders benefit | Charge rate for overdue: 7%* – loan benefit rate: 3% | |
| Corporate indebtedness (relevant loans) | 6.20% |
- Overdue remittances like GST/HST also carry the 7% rate, while overpayments receive 3% or 5% depending on corporate status. (canada.ca)
Who’s Most Affected?
- Corporate entities: Face higher interest on overdue taxes and get only 3% on overpaid amounts.
- Non-corporates / individuals: Also charged 7% when owing money; but when they overpay, they’ll receive a 5%-rate return.
- Beneficiaries of shareholder or employee loans: Must consider the 3% “taxable benefit” rate on interest-free or low-interest loan value.
Actionable Strategies Before the New Period Begins
1. Clean Up Overdue Balances
To avoid the 7% interest on overdue taxes, prioritize paying any known outstanding liabilities before April 1, 2026. Even partial payments may reduce the overdue principal and save interest.
2. Plan for Overpayments or Large Refunds
If you anticipate a refund (corporate or individual), postponing filing or arranging overpayments prematurely could mean missing out on a higher rate (5% for individuals) compared to interest costs. Timing your tax return or advance payments can help.
3. Mind Loan & Related Party Arrangements
If your business uses shareholder or employee loans, assess whether the benefit (interest free or at a low rate) will be taxed at the prescribed 3% rate. Consider restructuring to avoid unexpected taxable benefits.
4. Examine Cashflow and Timing
High-interest charges on overdue payments can drastically affect cashflow. If paying quarterly taxes, payroll remittances, or GST/HST, ensure deadlines are met or budget for additional interest expense.
Example Scenarios
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Individual: You overpaid your income tax and expect a refund of $10,000 from the CRA. If the overpayment is non-corporate, you’ll receive 5% annual interest. If you waited an extra month beyond the deadline to claim a deduction and owed $10,000 tax, you’d be paying 7% instead = net swing of 12% between paying late and getting refunded.
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Corporation: Your large corporation expects a refund of $100,000. Instead of earning 5%, you’ll get 3%. But if you delay payment of upcoming payroll source deductions or corporate instalments, you’ll be on the hook for 7% on what you owe.
-
Loan Benefit: As an employee, you receive a low-interest loan from your employer. The CRA will treat it as a benefit taxed using the prescribed rate of 3%, meaning you may owe extra tax if the loan was interest-free.
Key Take-Aways
- Stay ahead of deadlines to avoid steep interest charges of 7%.
- Time refunds and overpayments to maximize the interest return rate (3–5%) when dealing with corporate or personal overpayments.
- Structure inter-company loans wisely to avoid large taxable benefits.
- Cashflow planning is crucial, especially for businesses with multiple remittances or instalments.
Canada’s new interest prescriptive period brings both risks and opportunities—proper planning makes all the difference. Prepare now so you're not paying (or missing out) later.