EFILE and NetFile Québec

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EFILE and NetFile Québec

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Introduction

EFILE and NetFile Québec services allow ITAVP volunteers and other approved tax preparation service providers to file tax returns electronically with the CRA and Revenu Québec.

Important note

You must file the federal and provincial tax returns separately.

To file the federal tax return, you will use the EFILE service
To file the Quebec income tax return, you will use the NetFile Québec service

The CRA and Revenu Québec both recommend electronic filing for its many advantages:

It is the fastest way for an individual to receive a refund
It eliminates paper tax returns and contributes to sustainable development
It allows greater data accuracy through computer checks

ITAVP tip

In order to file tax returns online, you must be affiliated with a partner organization of the income tax assistance program. A CRA or Revenu Québec ITAVP program lead will check that you are affiliated with a partner organization.

Registering

(Federal Maple leaf icon) Registering for EFILE (CRA)

You only need to apply for an EFILE number if you intend to file tax returns electronically.

Your EFILE number must be renewed annually. To register or renew your account, go to EFILE for electronic filers and click Apply for EFILE to register or EFILE Sign in to renew your account.

Important note

In March 2023, a new format for EFILE numbers was adopted. The new formatted EFILE numbers (AA123) can only be used to transmit tax returns for the 2020 and later tax years.

Anyone with the newer EFILE number format wishing to transmit 2019 and prior tax years can either:

have someone else in their organization with an older EFILE number prepare and transmit the tax return, or
prepare the tax return in the software but then print it for the individual to mail it to the CRA

For more information on how to print tax returns, refer to Printing the tax returns.

All EFILE registrations or renewals require a RepID.

If you already have a RepID, you must provide it when you register/renew your account
If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client

Important note

Although you will be issued an EFILE number and password as soon as you apply, your application may take up to 30 business days to process. We encourage you to submit your application before December 31 to ensure we have time to review your application before the filing season starts.

(Provincial Fleur-de-lys icon) Registering for NetFile Québec (Revenu Québec)

The organization to which you are affiliated will register you for NetFile Québec each year. To do this, the organization will be required to provide your name and social insurance number. You will then receive a NetFile Québec number and access code, that you will use to transmit provincial tax returns online with Revenu Québec.

Important note

A volunteer cannot independently register as a filer with Revenu Québec.

The NetFile Québec application made for a volunteer affiliated with an organization will be approved only after the CRA approves the volunteer's EFILE registration (the NetFile Québec screening process may take 24 to 48 hours after receipt of EFILE acceptance).

Getting ready to use EFILE and NetFile Québec

We strongly recommend that tax returns filed online be prepared using the UFile CVITP software.

Before preparing tax returns and if you are working on a computer that is also used by other volunteers, ensure that your EFILE number and password, your NetFile Québec number and access code as well as your CVITP Organization Identification Number (COIN), if available, are entered prior to completing tax returns.

For more information, refer to EFILE-NetFile setup.

Important note

Never use another person's transmitter numbers, EFILE password, or NetFile Québec access code to file a federal or provincial tax return.

Online filing

The CRA and Revenu Québec online tax return filing services are available to submit tax returns from:

(Federal Maple leaf icon)the current year and the seven previous years for EFILE
(Provincial Fleur-de-lys icon)the current year and the three previous years for NetFile Québec

If you are preparing tax returns for years prior to this period, you can still use the tax software to complete tax returns as far back as 10 calendar years and then print them so the individual can submit them respectively to the CRA and Revenu Québec by mail. For information on how to print tax returns, refer to Printing the tax returns.

UFile tip

When preparing prior-year tax returns, always start with the earliest year and proceed in chronological order. You must install the applicable version of the tax software for each prior year that you want to prepare.

The tax software will help you complete a number of steps to successfully file tax returns online. For screen-by-screen instructions, refer to Filing the tax returns (Filing status).

Remember to follow the rules that apply to filing tax returns. For more information, refer to Getting the authorizations to electronically submit the tax returns.

Fixing error codes

If a tax return has not been accepted, the report will show that it was Rejected and give the error codes.

The most common situations that generate an error code are:

the individual's first or last name is incorrect
the individual's date of birth is incorrect
the date of an individual's change in status is not provided
a mandatory field has not been filled out
the tax return has already been submitted

For a detailed explanation and to find out how to resolve error codes when filing tax returns electronically, refer to:

(Federal Maple leaf icon)Chapter 2 - EFILE Error Messages for 2017 to 2025
(Provincial Fleur-de-lys icon)part 8 of the Tax Preparers' Guide: Individuals (SW-223-V)

Be sure to correct the information as instructed in the manuals.

When you attempt to file a tax return after you correct an error, ensure that you have received either a green Accepted status, or a red Rejected status.

Note that a tax return can be rejected several times with different error codes. A tax return can also be accepted by the CRA but rejected by Revenu Québec or the other way around.

If you require further assistance in resolving error codes, contact:

(Federal Maple leaf icon)the EFILE Helpdesk support of your region
(Provincial Fleur-de-lys icon)the NetFile Québec support service at 1-800-267-6299 (toll-free)

It is possible to save the tax returns, but it should be done only if necessary. If you have to save the tax returns on a USB flash drive, refer to How to save and print the tax returns and Formatting the USB flash drive to erase the data.

If the problem cannot be resolved, print paper copies of the tax returns for the individual and instruct them to respectively mail the tax returns to the CRA and Revenu Québec for processing.

For more information on how to print tax returns, refer to Printing the tax returns. To ensure you provide the individual with the correct mailing addresses, refer to Find a CRA address for the federal tax return and Filing Your Income Tax Return by Mail for the Quebec income tax return.