Infographic: Automatic tax filing
Filing an income tax and benefit return helps many Canadians access important financial benefits, like the GST/HST credit, the Canada child benefit, and the Canada Disability Benefit and more.
Infographic description
Making it easier to file a tax return
Automatic tax filing:
- removes barriers for individuals with a lower income
- services are free, fast, and secure
- helps individuals access benefit and credit payments they are entitled to
Eligibility for automatic tax filing
Automatic tax filing services are designed to help individuals with a lower income who do not owe tax and have a simple tax situation.
The future of simplified filing services
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is working to make it easier for Canadians to file a tax return and access key benefits.
SimpleFile Services (Digital, by Phone, and by Paper)
- Current service
- Simplified tax filing methods for eligible individuals
- Available annually
- 3 million individuals eligible in 2026
Proposed deemed filing pilot (pending Royal Assent)
- Announced in Budget 2025
- The CRA will file a tax return on behalf of eligible individuals who do not owe tax
- Launching Fall 2026 (pending royal Assent)
- Will be made available to eligible individuals in a small pilot
Pre-filled returns in CRA account
- Announced in Budget 2025
- Eligible individuals can review and approve a pre-filled tax return in their CRA account
- Launching March 2027
- 1 million eligible individuals in March 2027, expanding to up to 5.5 million eligible individuals by March 2029
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