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How to file taxes in Canada, online or for free

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

File your personal income tax and benefit return with the Canada Revenue Agency every year, usually by April 30. You can use certified tax software with NETFILE, CRA's free SimpleFile service if invited, a free tax clinic or a paper return. Online returns are usually assessed within 2 weeks and paper returns within 12 weeks.

Who handles it

Canada Revenue Agency

Handles it everywhere in Canada except Quebec (Revenu Québec (Québec return) and the Canada Revenue Agency (federal return)).

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Who can apply

  • File a return every year to get, or keep getting, the benefit and credit payments you qualify for.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Steps

  1. You can file yourself with tax software, SimpleFile or a paper return, or have a professional tax preparer or a free tax clinic volunteer file for you.

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  2. Most people use CRA-certified tax software and send the return online with NETFILE. You may be asked for the 8-character access code on your latest notice of assessment, but it is optional.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

What you need

  • Use your tax slips to report all your income. Most slips arrive by the end of February; ask the issuer for a copy if one is missing.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Cost

  • Free tax clinics run by volunteers do returns at no cost for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation.

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  • If you file late and owe tax, the penalty is 5% of your balance owing plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months. Repeat late filers can pay more.

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How long it takes

  • The filing deadline is April 30 for most people and June 15 if you or your spouse or partner are self-employed. For 2025 taxes these dates were April 30 and June 15, 2026.

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  • If you file online, your notice of assessment and any refund usually arrive within 2 weeks.

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  • Paper returns are usually processed within 12 weeks. They can only be sent by mail to your tax centre.

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Good to know

  • Any balance owing is due April 30, even for the self-employed. Pay by then to avoid interest and penalties.

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Questions people ask

When is the tax filing deadline in Canada?

April 30 for most people. If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed, you have until June 15 to file, but any tax owing is still due April 30.

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Can I file my taxes for free?

Yes. Free tax clinics do returns for people with a modest income and simple taxes, and eligible people may be invited to use the CRA's free SimpleFile service.

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What happens if I file my taxes late?

If you owe tax, you pay a late-filing penalty and daily interest on the unpaid amount. Filing late can also delay your benefit and credit payments, so file on time even if you cannot pay.

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Where do I find my NETFILE access code?

On the right side of your most recent notice of assessment, or in your CRA account under Tax returns. First-time filers do not have one, and the code is optional.

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Where it works differently

Canada Revenue Agency handles it everywhere else.

Province or territoryWho handles itOfficial linkGood to know
QuebecRevenu Québec (Québec return) and the Canada Revenue Agency (federal return)Québec income tax returnchecked Québec residents file two returns: a federal one with the CRA and a Québec one with Revenu Québec.

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "How to file taxes in Canada, online or for free", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/file-income-tax