Should you file your taxes online?

(NC) Life in Canada has a certain rhythm to it: folks rushing outdoors as soon as the weather warms up, the annual late-summer scramble for school supplies, holiday celebrations as the nights get longer and, of course, thinking about their taxes just as spring gets underway. Most Canadians are now filing their taxes digitally.

Online tax filing is more popular than you might think. If you’ve made the switch to online filing, you’re not alone. In fact, as many as 93 per cent of tax returns were filed online last year. In addition to faster processing for your tax return, filing it digitally can be simpler, with less potential for you to make an error.

Taxes in Canada are shifting to be digital-first. In response to the popularity of online filing, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) isn’t sending out its paper income tax package proactively anymore to those who have previously filed on paper. That doesn’t mean the package is gone—you can still get the tax package and schedules by ordering online or over the phone, or by downloading and printing it on your own.

Digital services continue to improve. One barrier for some Canadians looking to file online has been the potential for frustration if they can’t find certain information, or they’ve felt stuck because they forgot their password and got locked out of their CRA account. This year, improvements are being made on both fronts and more, with:

• Optimized web pages with clear information about topics like the Canada child benefit, Tax-Free Savings Accounts, and registering a business.
• An easier process for getting back into your account if you’ve forgotten your sign-in information and have been locked out that doesn’t involve having to call.
• Expanded access to SimpleFile Digital, the secure service for Canadians with a lower income and simple tax situation.

With new, simpler processes and better access to easy filing tools, it’s easy to see why filing online is becoming the go-to option for Canadians. You can learn more about filing taxes online at canada.ca/taxes-whats-new.