Building a simple filing calendar for the year
Missed deadlines are rarely about difficulty. They are about visibility, and a one-page calendar fixes most of it.
Most businesses have a predictable set of recurring obligations: monthly and quarterly tax returns, government contributions, permit renewals and annual filings. The dates rarely change. What changes is whether anyone remembers them in time.
List every obligation once
Write down each filing or payment, how often it recurs, who prepares it and who approves it. Your accountant can confirm the list and the current due dates for your registration type.
Work backwards from each due date
- Due date: the last day to file or pay.
- Prepare by: a few working days earlier, so review is not rushed.
- Records complete by: the date the underlying books must be closed.
Make it visible
Put the calendar where the team already looks: a shared calendar with reminders, or a printed page by the desk. Mark each item done with the date it was filed, and keep the confirmation.
A deadline you can see a week ahead is just a task.
This article is general information for business owners, not professional tax or legal advice. Requirements change; confirm the details that apply to your business with a qualified accountant.