Free tool
Holdback annual-release date calculator
Since January 1, 2026, Ontario's Construction Act requires a Notice of Annual Release of Holdback (Form 6) on every contract anniversary — not just at project close. Enter the anniversary date to get your publish deadline and payment window.
- Publish Form 6 by
- Holdback releasable no earlier than
- Payable no later than
These calculators estimate statutory deadlines under Ontario's Construction Act. They adjust for weekends but not statutory holidays, and they're general information, not legal advice — confirm exact timing with a construction lawyer before relying on a computed date.
FAQ
Annual holdback release, explained
What is Form 6?
Form 6 is the Notice of Annual Release of Holdback — the notice an owner must publish within 14 days of each contract anniversary under Ontario's amended Construction Act (Bill 60, effective January 1, 2026), stating the holdback accrued and the intended payment date.
What happens if a lien is preserved before the release date?
The mandatory release doesn't apply to holdback covered by a preserved lien. This calculator assumes no lien has been preserved against the annual holdback — if one has, talk to a construction lawyer about how much of the holdback is still releasable.
Does this apply to every contract?
Mostly, yes — the $10,000,000 threshold that used to limit annual release to megaprojects is gone. Timing depends on when your contract was signed; see our full explainer on the 2026 changes for the transition rules.
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