Personal income tax
Filing a paper tax return
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You need to file your tax return every year with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to receive the benefits and credits you may be entitled to, even if you don't have income to report. Paper returns are usually processed within 12 weeks.
On this page
Before you file
You should determine if you need to file your income tax return using a paper return.
Most people can complete their return using certified tax software and send electronically using the NETFILE service. If you cannot use NETFILE, you can print and mail your completed return.
If you are filing a paper tax return for someone else
If you are filing a return on behalf of another person, you must be an authorized representative to:
- Speak with the CRA on their behalf
- Act on their behalf for tax matters
- Access their online tax information
For details: Representative authorization
Check your CRA information
Make sure your personal details are up to date before sending your return.
Change or confirm your:
- Direct deposit information
- Mailing address
- Notification preferences (online mail or letter mail)
Find out your options to update your personal information with the CRA. Allow time for the CRA to process any updates before filing.
Steps to file a paper return
Get your tax package
Download and print the income tax package, or order an alternate format.
Complete:
- Federal Income Tax and Benefit Return
- Form 428 for your province or territory (except Quebec)
- Federal and provincial or territorial schedules that apply to you
Complete your return
Enter personal information
Fill in your name, address, and Social Insurance Number (SIN) or other tax number.
Report income
Use your tax slips to report all income, including:
- Employment and self-employment income
- Foreign and investment income
- Income from assets
- Tips and other earnings
Check if all information is included
You should receive most tax slips by the end of February.
If a tax slip is missing, contact the issuer of the slip for a copy.
Claim deductions, credits, and expenses
Claim eligible deductions, credits, and expenses to reduce the amount of tax you owe.
Review your return
Make sure all information is true, accurate, and complete.
If needed, you can update some of your personal information on your tax return, including your:
- Email address
- Marital status
- Language of correspondence
If you are filing multiple returns
Use a separate envelope for each person.
If you are filing current-year and late returns together for one person, use one envelope.
If you are transferring a refund to an instalment account
Attach a note to your return to transfer your refund to your instalment account.
For more information, refer to Required tax instalments for individuals.
Send your return
There are 2 options for sending the completed tax return to the CRA.
By mail
- Find out where to mail your paper return
- Mail your completed tax return to your tax centre
By drop-off
- Find out the location of CRA's drop boxes
- Place your return in a CRA drop box
After you file
There are 3 possible outcomes from your tax return:
- Get a refund
- Have a balance owing
- Have no refund or balance owing
The CRA will send you a notice of assessment (NOA) with the outcome of your tax return. Your NOA and any refund are usually processed within 12 weeks.