COVID-19: FAQ for Businesses

This page presents answers to the most frequently asked questions we have received in relation to the COVID-19 crisis. We hope they give you the information you need.

Corporation income tax

Revenu Québec announced that it would not charge any penalties or interest if individuals file their income tax returns and pay their balance due after the April 30 deadline, so long as they do so by May 31, 2021 (see the FAQ for individuals).

Are similar measures planned for corporations?

No. Similar measures are not planned for corporations. Since a corporation's taxation year corresponds to a fiscal period, corporations do not have the same filing deadline as individuals.

Furthermore, corporations have separate filing and payment deadlines. The income tax return can be filed up to six months after the end of the corporation's taxation year, but the income tax must be paid within two months of the end of the taxation year.

Many corporations have a taxation year that ends on December 31. To avoid interest, a corporation whose taxation year ended on December 31, 2020, had to pay its income tax by February 28, 2021. Since the measures for individuals were announced after that date, they would benefit corporations that did not make the required payment by the two-month deadline.

However, no interest or penalties will apply if a corporation pays its income tax within two months of the end of its taxation year.

How does the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) affect the tax credits a corporation can claim for salaries and wages?

As government assistance, the CEWS reduces the salaries and wages for which the credit is being claimed.

If an employee who normally reports for work at a corporation's establishment in Québec works from home temporarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is he or she still considered to report to the establishment for purposes of determining whether their salary gives rise to a tax credit?

Yes. If an employee has to work from home temporarily due solely to COVID-19, he or she is considered to report for work at the establishment where he or she reported for work immediately before starting to work from home.

This measure applies to the 2020 taxation year and at least part of the 2021 taxation year. It will end at a later date contingent on the pandemic.

If an employee or mandatary with general authority to enter into contracts on behalf of a corporation is temporarily working from home in a different province from where he or she normally carries out his or her duties solely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the corporation deemed to have an establishment at his or her home?

No. The corporation is not deemed to have an establishment at the employee's or mandatary's home if he or she is temporarily working from home in a different province from where he or she normally carries out their duties solely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This measure applies to the 2020 taxation year and at least part of the 2021 taxation year. It will end at a later date contingent on the pandemic.

General information

What is currently the fastest way to receive a refund?

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund.

For information about registering for direct deposit, see Direct Deposit of Refunds.

What is currently the fastest, safest way to file a return?

Online is the fastest, safest way to file a return, since it reduces physical handling of documents.

For more information, see our online services for businesses.

COVID-19: FAQ for Businesses

Fair. For all.