T2 Short Return – Corporation Income Tax Return (Canada)

What Is the T2 Short Return?

The T2 Short Return is a simplified version of the regular T2 Corporation Income Tax Return. It is designed for certain corporations that have a nil net income or a loss and meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Who Can Use the T2 Short Return?

Only specific types of corporations can use the T2 Short Return. In general, you may be eligible if:

• The corporation is a Canadian‑controlled private corporation (CCPC) throughout the tax year and reports either nil net income or a loss for income tax purposes;
• The corporation is exempt from tax under section 149 of the Income Tax Act (e.g., certain non‑profit organizations).

Additional eligibility conditions may apply, such as reporting in Canadian funds and having a permanent establishment in only one province or territory.

What’s in the T2 Short Return?

The T2 Short Return is a two‑page corporate return that includes:

• Basic corporate identification and fiscal period information;
• Calculation of net income (loss) for tax purposes;
• Schedules that may need to be attached depending on your situation, such as Schedule 1 (Net Income (Loss) for Income Tax Purposes).

How to Get the Form

You must download and save the T2 Short Return PDF to your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 or later:

• Accessible Fillable PDF (t2short‑fill‑19e.pdf)
• Standard Printable PDF (t2short‑19e.pdf)

Previous years’ versions are also available in fillable and print formats.

Filing and Related Requirements

The T2 Short Return must be filed with the CRA by the corporation’s filing deadline, generally within six months after the end of the fiscal year, similar to the regular T2 return. You may need to include certain schedules and financial information depending on your corporation’s activities.

Keep all supporting documentation and slips for at least six years. The CRA may request them to verify the figures reported.