Tax season is upon us and there’s a complimentary service available from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for some Canadians that simplifies the process.
SimpleFile is available to some lower-income Canadians in a simple tax situation as a way to file income tax and benefit returns, the CRA says. Some Canadians eligible for this system may think they don’t have a reason to file a return, especially if they don’t owe taxes, but the CRA says it’s important to do so in order to receive benefits and credit payments throughout the year, such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly known as the GST/HST credit).
A version of SimpleFile by Phone, first known as File My Return, has been around since 2018, and in pilot projects for digital and paper filing options, since 2022.
As of this year, there are now nearly 3 million people who are eligible for SimpleFile across Canada, the CRA told CTVNews.ca in an email Wednesday.
How to determine if you’re eligible
The easiest way to determine if you’re qualified for the program is to check your MyCRA account and monitor your mail this month. You can also find out if you’re eligible by filling out an online questionnaire.
According to the CRA, those who either have no income or “an income that is limited to specific income sources and below a specific amount” may be eligible for SimpleFile, though there are several other factors considered. These include not being bankrupt, or below the age of 15 in 2025, among other considerations.
Eligibility for this program also varies by province and territory and is determined based on things like age, disability status and where you live.
Ways to use SimpleFile
The SimpleFile digital service is the newest filing method available, with or without an invitation. Individuals are asked a series of questions online and the CRA uses the answers, plus information it has on file, to finish and process tax returns. The process takes about 10 to 20 minutes, the CRA says.
SimpleFile by phone is available only through invitations, which are sent in March and over the summer. Like the digital method, individuals are asked a series of quick questions, and the CRA uses the answers and information on file to complete and process their returns. The service takes about five to 10 minutes, the CRA says.
SimpleFile by paper is also by invitation only, which are sent out in the summer. It uses a paper return with the information needed to use the filing method.
All of these methods are free and secure, the CRA says.
2026 tax season deadline in Canada
The SimpleFile service opened on March 9 to those who are eligible to use it to file their 2025 income tax returns. The CRA said that eligible Canadians who had a recent filing history were sent an invite in early March. Invitations will be sent in the summer to those who have never previously filed, or haven’t filed in a few years.
The deadline for most taxpayers to file their tax returns is April 30, while those who are self-employed have until June 15.
Future options
Ottawa is working to make it easier for more people to file their taxes in the future.
If Royal Assent is given, a pilot project will launch this fall. Currently known as the “proposed deemed filing pilot,” it would grant the CRA the opportunity to file a return on behalf of those who are eligible and don’t owe taxes, unless they choose to opt out.
In March 2027, the CRA is set to launch pre-filled tax returns in CRA accounts. That means those who are eligible will be able to evaluate and approve an already-filled-out tax return from their CRA accounts.
