NETFILE is a transmission service that allows eligible Canadians to submit their personal income
tax return
A tax return is the completion of documentation that calculates an entity or individual's income earned and the amount of taxes to be paid to the government or government organizations or, potentially, back to the taxpayer.
Taxation is one of ...
to the
Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA; ; ) is the revenue service of the Canadian federal government, and most provincial and territorial governments. The CRA collects taxes, administers tax law and policy, and delivers benefit programs and tax credi ...
using the Internet. Tax returns filed via NETFILE must first be prepared using a NETFILE-certified product. The software or Web application produces a .tax file, which must then be uploaded to the CRA independently to constitute a tax filing. NETFILE was introduced in 2001.
According to CRA, 26% of total 2014 tax returns were sent by Netfile. To Netfile taxes, users need a certified tax program, which is listed on th
CRA website
Advantages
According to the CRA website:
"NETFILE - Overview"
''Canadian Revenue Agency. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
* It is secure and confidential.
* File your returns directly from one of the NETFILE-certified products available using the NETFILE webservice.
* Refunds are issued faster (in most cases, with direct deposit, you can receive your refund in as little as eight business days).
* It is more accurate (because the CRA doesn't re-key the information, there is less chance of errors).
* You don't have to mail a paper return.
* You don't have to send in receipts, unless the CRA asks for them at a later date.
* You get immediate confirmation that the CRA has received your tax return.
Disadvantages
* You cannot change your address when you file your return using NETFILE.
* Payments sent to CRA will be processed faster.
* You are unable to ensure exactly what information was sent from your computer.
* You require an internet connection.
* You are required to use NETFILE certified tax software
See also
* Canadian efile
EFILE is the system used by the Canada Revenue Agency as a means for electronically transmitting tax returns. It became a national program in 1993. EFILE is only available to professional tax preparers and is not to be confused with the publicly ...
, a similar service used by professional tax preparers.
References
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External links
Canada Revenue Agency/Agence du revenue du Canada
My Business Account/Mon dossier d'entreprise.gc.ca
2001 establishments in Canada
Taxation in Canada