Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Canada NETFILE Guide 2025

NETFILE is the Canada Revenue Agency's electronic tax filing service that allows Canadians to submit their income tax returns directly to the CRA over the internet. It is the fastest, most accurate, and most convenient way to file your taxes in Canada, and it is completely free to use (though many tax software applications charge for premium features).

What Is NETFILE?

NETFILE allows you to prepare your tax return using CRA-certified software on your computer or phone, then submit it electronically to the CRA in minutes. The CRA receives your return instantly, and refunds via direct deposit can arrive in as little as 8 business days — far faster than paper filing, which can take 8 weeks or more.

NETFILE 2025 Opening Date

The CRA opens NETFILE for the 2024 tax year in late February 2025. Returns are accepted from approximately February 24, 2025. You cannot file before this date, but filing as early as possible once NETFILE opens gives you the fastest refund and earliest benefit recalculations.

Who Can Use NETFILE?

Most Canadian residents can file using NETFILE. There are some exceptions — you cannot use NETFILE if you are filing for a tax year prior to 2020 (use REFILE or paper), if you are a non-resident, if you are filing a return for a deceased person's year of death, or if you have certain unusual tax situations. Check the CRA website for the current exclusion list each year.

CRA-Certified NETFILE Software 2025

You must use CRA-certified software to NETFILE. Popular certified options for 2025 include:

• Wealthsimple Tax — Free for most Canadian tax situations, highly rated
• TurboTax — Free basic version; paid tiers for complex returns
• H&R Block — Free and paid options
• UFile — Free for students and simple situations
• CloudTax — Free for basic returns
• GenuTax Standard — Free downloadable software
• TaxTron — Pay-per-return pricing

How to NETFILE Your Return

1. Prepare your return in certified tax software, entering all income and deductions
2. Review your return — verify the summary and check for any error flags the software raises
3. Enter your NETFILE access code (for returning filers) — the 8-character code found in the upper right of your prior year Notice of Assessment. First-time filers do not need an access code.
4. Submit to CRA — click the NETFILE/Submit button within your software
5. Record your confirmation number — the CRA sends an immediate response with a unique confirmation number. Save this as proof of filing.

Auto-Fill My Return (AFR)

One of NETFILE's best features is Auto-fill my return. After connecting your CRA My Account credentials to your tax software, the system automatically pulls in all your tax slips (T4, T3, T5, RRSP receipts, and more) that employers and financial institutions have submitted to the CRA. This dramatically reduces data entry and virtually eliminates transposition errors.

NETFILE Access Code

Returning filers need their 8-character NETFILE access code to file. It is located in the upper right area of your prior year's Notice of Assessment. If you have lost it, you can retrieve it through CRA My Account or by calling the CRA. First-time filers (no prior year return on file) do not need an access code.

After You NETFILE: Tracking Your Refund

After receiving your NETFILE confirmation number, allow 1–2 weeks for CRA processing. Track your refund status through:

• CRA My Account → Tax Returns → View submitted returns
• MyCRA mobile app
• Automated phone service: 1-800-959-1956

Set up direct deposit in CRA My Account before filing to receive your refund in as few as 8 business days.