Many lower-income and vulnerable Canadians are missing out on valuable benefit and credit payments because they are not filing their income tax and benefit returns. Payments such as the Canada child benefit and the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit can help with the cost of living.

In order to receive, or continue to receive, benefit and credit payments, individuals have to update their information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) each year by doing their taxes.

Overview of the SimpleFile suite of services

The SimpleFile services allow eligible individuals to file their income tax and benefit return either by phone, digitally or by paper. These simplified methods of filing are free, secure, and easy to use. There are no complex forms to fill out or calculations to do.

The SimpleFile services use the information in CRA’s systems at the time of use of the service, along with the answers provided, to file the return.

If you are invited to use the service, you will receive an invitation letter by mail or email notification to view the letter in My Account, if you are registered and have your correspondence preference set to ‘’Electronic mail.’’

Eligibility

To be eligible for the SimpleFile services, you must:

• have an income under a certain threshold based on factors that include age, province of residence, and disability status
• have income exclusively from the following sources:
  • Benefits
    • Old Age Security – T4A(OAS)
    • Guaranteed Income Supplement / Net federal supplements – T4A(OAS)
    • Canada or Quebec Pension Plan benefits (including disability benefits) – T4A(P)
  • Employment and related income supports
    • Employment income – T4
    • Employment Insurance Benefits – T4E
    • Workers’ compensation benefits – T5007
    • Social assistance payments – T5007
    • Canada Emergency Benefits – T4A
  • Investment income
    • Some Interest Income – T5 (box 13)

For Quebec residents

For all options, if you’re a resident of Quebec, the services only complete the federal tax return. You’ll still need to complete and submit a Quebec provincial tax return with Revenu Québec.

Filing options using SimpleFile

If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation letter from the CRA to use SimpleFile to file your income tax and benefit return.

Your invitation letter will indicate the filing option available to you, along with the instructions you need to complete your taxes. Once your return has been assessed, you will receive a notice of assessment.

General questions about the service

If you have questions about the SimpleFile services, you can call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

Protect yourself against fraud

To avoid scams and fraud, be aware of when and how the CRA might contact you. The Scams and fraud page provides information on the ways the CRA may contact you, including by phone, email, mail, and text message.

We strongly encourage you to monitor your CRA accounts regularly for any suspicious activity. Find valuable information on how to protect your CRA accounts.