On this page

• Overview
• Registering to use EFILE
• Getting ready to use EFILE
• EFILING the tax return
• Verifying EFILE transmission errors

Overview

EFILE is an automated service that allows Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) volunteers and other approved tax preparation service providers to electronically transmit individual tax returns to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The EFILE web service is available to transmit tax returns for the current year and five previous years.

EFILE transmission services generally open in February for the majority of the year. To find the exact dates for the current year, refer to What’s new this filing season – tax return.

Registering to use EFILE

You only need to apply for an EFILE number if you intend to submit tax returns electronically. Your EFILE number must be renewed annually.

If you are approved to submit tax returns electronically then you are not required to provide a police records check unless you are using the Auto-fill my return service.

For more information, refer to Register to volunteer.

Getting ready to use EFILE

If you are working on a computer that is also used by other volunteers, you must open the EFILE-NetFile setup and ensure that your EFILE number, password, and CVITP Organization Identification Number (COIN) (if available) are entered correctly before you complete any tax returns. You must do this every time you use a shared computer.

To set up EFILE, refer to the instructions in EFILE-NetFile setup.

EFILING the tax return

There are a number of steps to follow in the tax software to successfully transmit a tax return using EFILE. For screen-by-screen instructions, refer to EFILING the tax return.

In order to complete prior year tax returns with the tax software, you must install the applicable version for each year you wish to prepare. If you are preparing prior year tax returns, select Yes from the Will you be using EFILE to submit a prior year federal return, today or within the next two days? drop-down menu.

When preparing previous year tax returns, it is recommended that you begin with the earliest year and continue in order.

Once you complete all steps to EFILE the tax return and click File my return now!, the tax software connects directly to the CRA to transmit the tax return. It may take a few minutes to transmit because the system conducts an initial review on each tax return transmitted.

For screen-by-screen instructions on Accepted or Rejected EFILE transmissions, refer to EFILING the tax return.

Verifying EFILE transmission errors

The system may reject an EFILE transmission multiple times with different error codes.

If you receive error messages when you transmit the tax return, refer to the RC4018, Electronic Filers Manual, Chapter 2.

The manual explains how the error codes are set, what they mean, and how to respond to them.

Correct the information as instructed in the manual before you attempt to transmit the tax return again.

If you cannot find an error code in the RC4018, or you need additional help to resolve it, contact your regional EFILE Helpdesk support. This information is also found under Contacts and links.

When you attempt to re-transmit a tax return after you correct an error, ensure that you have received either a green Accepted status, or a red Rejected status in the Federal EFILE Report generated by the tax software.

If the Federal EFILE Report status for the re-transmission is:

• Accepted - proceed to the steps found in Returning and clearing information
• Rejected - print a paper copy of the tax return for the taxpayer and instruct them to mail it to the CRA for processing

To ensure you provide the individual with the correct mailing address for their applicable Tax Centre, refer to Find a CRA address - Canada.ca.