News and Program Updates

July 17, 2010

Due to systems maintenance, the NETFILE transmission service will not be available from 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Saturday, July 17, 2010 until 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

Please note the maintenance time is approximate.

We regret the inconvenience.

---

July 10, 2010

Due to systems maintenance, the NETFILE transmission service will not be available from 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Saturday, July 10, 2010 until 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday, July 11, 2010.

Please note the maintenance time is approximate.

We regret the inconvenience.

---

May 29, 2010

Due to systems maintenance, the NETFILE transmission service will not be available from midnight until noon (Eastern Time) on May 30, 2010.

Please note the maintenance time is approximate.

We regret the inconvenience.

---

February 15, 2010

Limit of 20 returns

The CRA has set a limit of 20 returns for NETFILE-certified software regardless of the net income.

The CRA's primary interest is always to protect the taxpayer.

NETFILE was created so that taxpayers could file their own T1 returns over the Internet using tax preparation software. NETFILE allows individuals to benefit from the same speed and convenience that tax preparers had for years enjoyed in using EFILE to transmit returns for their clients.

The limitations for NETFILE have not changed, and it remains a service for taxpayers to file their own tax returns. EFILE remains for use by those who file on behalf of others.

When you use NETFILE, you sign in with your own electronic signature, which consists of your access code, social insurance number, and date of birth. Only you should use your electronic signature. Tax preparers who file on behalf of others do not need the electronic signatures for their clients, since EFILE was built with filing for others in mind. Instead, they sign in with an assigned EFILE number and a password.

We work to protect taxpayers from potential identity theft, which can arise if you give personal information, such as your access code to someone else. We are working with software developers to ensure taxfilers use the appropriate electronic filing service. There are a variety of EFILE products available, and EFILE software does not require a limit to the number of returns that can be prepared and filed.

For more information on EFILE and software products certified by the CRA, visit the www.efile.cra.gc.ca.

There is no need for unlimited returns on a product that is for people to self-file. Unlimited returns opens the door for tax preparers to use their clients' electronic signature and NETFILE rather than the system they must use, which is EFILE.

If you prepare returns as a community service, you are invited to be part of the CRA's Community Volunteer Program.

For more information please visit the CRA Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/lnd-eng.html.

---

November 5, 2009

Limit of 20 returns

NETFILE is an electronic filing service that taxpayers can use to file their own personal income tax and benefit return with the CRA. To protect the integrity of this service, the CRA has set a limit of 20 returns per computer that can be prepared with a NETFILE-certified tax preparation software each tax year. The limit may help prevent some tax preparation service providers from using NETFILE. Software developers must respect this limit to be certified for NETFILE.

The CRA has determined that a limit of 20 returns, whether printed or filed using NETFILE, is appropriate and sufficient for a NETFILE software product. This will allow even a large family to share one software product to prepare and file their tax returns.

If your tax return is being prepared and filed by a tax preparation service provider, do not provide him or her with your access code. There is a separate service for those who prepare and electronically file taxes on behalf of others, which is called EFILE. This service requires users to sign-in with their own user ID and password. They do not require your access code. Before they can file on your behalf, they need your authorization. Please sign Form T183, Information Return for Electronic Filing of an Individual's Income Tax and Benefit Return, to give authorization. This form does not give authorization for someone to file on your behalf using NETFILE.

If you are a tax preparation service provider, you must not use the NETFILE service. You must use EFILE to electronically file returns on behalf of others. Please visit the CRA Web site to learn about all the benefits of using this service.

---

November 5, 2009

Important Security Information

Software developers whose products are certified for NETFILE are not representatives of the CRA. Canadian taxpayers are not obliged to submit personal information directly to the software developer when requesting software support. The CRA would like to remind you that email is not a secure method of communication. Sending personal information by email is especially a concern with the increased risk of identity theft.

---

November 5, 2009

Filing your 2009 tax return

The NETFILE transmission service will open on Monday, February 15, 2010. This service will be available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week, until September 30, 2010.

Also available starting February 15, 2010, is our NETFILE access code on-line service. If you didn't receive your access code or you misplaced it, you can retrieve it on-line.