Choosing a fiscal year-end is one of the first questions entrepreneurs are asked when incorporating their business. But what date should you choose for your business?
What is a fiscal year-end?
Your business’s fiscal year-end is also known as the tax year-end or financial year of your business.
The fiscal year is generally a twelve month period, however, this period may be shorter for businesses in their first year.
How do I choose my fiscal year-end?
The fiscal year-end for your business can be any date within 53 weeks from your incorporation date. The date you choose will be officially set once you file your first T2 corporate tax return. The T2 tax return must be filed within 3 months after your business’s fiscal year-end date to avoid interest.
Although it is officially set when you file your first tax return, it is best practice to set your date when you initially incorporate your business. This is because the initial directors’ resolution will specifically reference the day you’ve chosen.
For example, with Ownr, we allow you to choose your year-end when first setting up your company. This means that all of your company formation documents will properly reflect the date you choose.
What date is most common?
Most entrepreneurs choose one of two dates:
Calendar year
Some entrepreneurs prefer having their business tax year the same as the calendar year. In that instance, they will choose the last day of December.
Last day of the month closest to the 53 week mark
Other entrepreneurs choose the last day of the month closest to the date of their incorporation. For example, if you incorporate on November 10, 2017, you would choose the last day of October to be your fiscal year-end (i.e. your first fiscal year would be November 10, 2017 – October 31, 2018.).
This allows you to postpone payment of professional fees related to filing your T2 corporate tax return and your corporate tax bill. Otherwise, if the entrepreneur who incorporated on November 10, 2017, chooses the last day of December as their Fiscal Year-End, their first fiscal year would be November 10, 2017 – December 31, 2017.
This article offers general information only, is current as of the date of publication, and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.