Ottawa, Ontario, June 27, 2012... The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that it is discontinuing its TELEFILE service.
TELEFILE is a telephone-based service that allows individuals to file simple tax returns over the phone. Use of this service has declined, on average, by 10 per cent every year as taxpayers move to other channels, such as the CRA’s secure, convenient online services. In fact, between 2011 and 2012, use of the service declined by 12.3 per cent.
Only 1.2% of all tax returns are filed using TELEFILE. This year, out of 25.4 million returns received to date, almost 66% Canadians filed their returns electronically, either on their own or with the help of a tax preparer.
A growing number of Canadians are choosing to file their returns electronically – it just makes sense. The CRA’s NETFILE service allows Canadians to file an individual income tax return over the Internet quickly and easily, at their convenience, from wherever they may be in the world. When combined with direct deposit, tax filers can receive their income tax refund in as little as eight days. The CRA maintains a list of software and Web service options, including those that are free of charge, at www.netfile.gc.ca/software. As well, the CRA’s My Payment service allows for one or more payments in one simple online transaction. Canadians who already have access to online banking at a participating financial institution can take advantage of this service.
The CRA realizes that some Canadians will not be able to take full advantage of online services. The CRA will continue to maintain a variety of options to allow Canadians to file their taxes, receive their benefits, and take advantage of tax credits. Canadians with questions about their tax returns or the services the CRA offers are encouraged visit the CRA Web site at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/getready or to call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Noel Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184