Individual income tax return statistics for the 2026 tax-filing season
Returns received by filing method
| Filing method | Number of returns | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|
| EFILE | 2,870 | 8% |
| NETFILE | 0 | 0% |
| SimpleFile Services (SFS) | 0 | 0% |
| Total electronic returns | 2,870 | 8% |
| Paper | 32,560 | 92% |
| Total returns | 35,430 | 100% |
Electronic filing methods
EFILE is a service that lets authorized service providers and discounters send individual income tax return information to the CRA directly from the software used to prepare the tax return. For more information, see EFILE for individuals.
NETFILE allows you to file your tax return directly to the CRA using the Internet and a NETFILE-certified software product. For more information, see NETFILE. There are even free certified software products available to file your income tax return online.
SimpleFile Services (SFS) allows eligible individuals to file their tax return by phone, digitally, or by paper. For more information, see SimpleFile services.
Returns assessed by results
| Assessment result | Number of returns | Total dollar value | Average amount per return | Percentage of refunds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refund by cheque | 4,380 | $16,155,000 | $4,000 | 37% |
| Refund by direct deposit | 7,540 | $26,005,000 | $3,000 | 63% |
| Total refunds | 11,920 | $42,160,000 | $4,000 | 100% |
| Balance owing | 18,780 | $1,047,564,000 | $56,000 | n/a |
| Nil return | 13,360 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Direct deposit
For information about setting up direct deposit, see Direct deposit. If you are registered for a CRA account, you can apply online.
Initial assessing statistics
| Tax-filing season | EFILE | % | NETFILE | % | SFS | % | Paper | % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20,376,550 | 60% | 11,027,640 | 33% | 73,140 | 0% | 2,362,060 | 7% | 33,839,390 |
| 2024 | 19,987,480 | 60% | 10,857,300 | 32% | 51,560 | 0% | 2,553,690 | 8% | 33,450,020 |
| 2023 | 19,210,490 | 60% | 10,480,740 | 32% | 52,960 | 0% | 2,531,360 | 8% | 32,275,550 |
| 2022 | 18,435,280 | 59% | 10,165,120 | 32% | 52,710 | 0% | 2,628,160 | 8% | 31,281,270 |
| 2021 | 17,966,540 | 58% | 10,052,650 | 33% | 61,470 | 0% | 2,841,860 | 9% | 30,922,510 |
| Tax-filing season | EFILE | % | NETFILE | % | SFS | % | Paper | % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19,276,890 | 60% | 10,660,400 | 33% | 73,140 | 0% | 1,935,610 | 6% | 31,946,050 |
| 2024 | 18,787,480 | 60% | 10,432,190 | 33% | 51,550 | 0% | 2,030,310 | 7% | 31,331,930 |
| 2023 | 18,123,560 | 60% | 10,080,900 | 33% | 52,940 | 0% | 2,043,330 | 7% | 30,300,740 |
| 2022 | 17,495,720 | 59% | 9,813,950 | 33% | 52,710 | 0% | 2,126,380 | 7% | 29,488,760 |
| 2021 | 17,036,890 | 59% | 9,700,630 | 33% | 61,460 | 0% | 2,265,200 | 8% | 29,064,180 |