Every year, we send letters to eligible Canadians inviting them to file their income tax and benefit returns with the CRA's File my Return automated phone service.

This service is free, secure, and easy to use. If you are eligible to use this service, you should receive an invitation letter in February 2023.

About File my Return

This service allows you to file your tax return without the need to complete any calculations or forms. By filing a tax return, you will be able to receive the benefits and credits you may be eligible for. File my Return uses the information the CRA already has on file, and the answers you provide, to auto-file and process your tax return.

The holidays are approaching, but scammers aren’t taking any breaks from their attempts to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Scammers prey on the increased financial pressures that many of us face around the holidays, so it’s important to be aware of how and when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will contact you to distinguish legitimate communications from the CRA, and scams.

Have you or your business been approached by a third party offering to apply for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives on your behalf? The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has observed a recent increase in SR&ED claims containing false and/or non-compliant information. The CRA is advising you to be cautious if you receive an unsolicited offer to help you claim SR&ED investment tax credits.

There are a variety of scams in Canada – with new ones invented daily. To identify legitimate communications from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and protect yourself from scammers, be aware and know what to expect when the CRA contacts you.

What to expect from the CRA:

The CRA uses various methods to communicate with individuals and businesses, including phone, email, mail and text message (in specific instances). Using these methods, the CRA may reach out to…

If you are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, you are subject to the same tax rules as any other resident in Canada unless your income is considered tax exempt under section 87 of the Indian Act. To continue getting your benefit and credit payments, you need to do your taxes, even if your income is tax exempt or you had no income at all. Here are a few tips to help you get the benefits and credits to which you are entitled.

Employees of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are working hard to answer questions you may have about your tax affairs. We want to help you file your income tax and benefit return and ensure you receive the benefits and credits you’re entitled to.

To help you, these are answers to the top questions we’re asked at tax time. You can also check out our questions and answers about filing your taxes page for more answers to common questions.

A legitimate CRA employee will identify themselves when they contact you. The employee will give you their name and a phone number. Make sure the caller is a CRA employee before you give any information over the phone. This will protect you from giving money or personal information to a scammer.

If you’re suspicious, this is how you can make sure the caller is from the CRA:

1. Tell the caller you would like to first verify their identity.

2. Request and make a note of their:

   • name

   • phone number

   • office location

3. End the call. Then check that the information provided during the call was legitimate by contacting the CRA. Please do this before you give any information to the caller.