March 4, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario Canada Revenue Agency
Tax season is in full swing and the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced today that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is expanding its SimpleFile by Phone service. More than 1.5 million individuals, double the number from last year, have been invited to automatically complete and submit their tax returns in 2024.
This simplified method for filing income tax returns helps lower-income individuals access the benefit and credit payments they are entitled to more easily, while simplifying their lives.
Benefit and credit payments, such as the Canada child benefit and the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit, help make life more affordable. Filing a tax return also confirms an individual's eligibility for programs such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
SimpleFile by Phone is a free, easy and secure automated service that has existed since 2018. It is designed to help individuals with lower or fixed incomes and simple tax situations complete their tax returns in as little as 10 minutes. This service uses the information on file for the individual and the responses they provide to automatically complete and file their tax return.
Starting in Summer 2024, the CRA will also pilot SimpleFile digital and paper options in all the provinces and territories. These new services will target lower-income individuals who do not file their tax returns or who have a gap in their filing history, and therefore are not receiving the benefit and credit payments they could be entitled to.
The CRA plans to consult with stakeholders, community organizations, and tax professionals on the next phase of Canada's automatic tax filing plan beyond 2025.
