EFILE

All EFILE registrations or renewals require a RepID.

• If you already have a RepID, you must provide it when you register/renew your account
• If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client

For more information about CVITP volunteer requirements, refer to Register to volunteer.

Getting ready to use EFILE

Tax returns submitted electronically must be prepared using the CVITP tax software.

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 prior to completing tax returns.

For more information, refer to 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 oldest year and continue in order. You must install the applicable version of the tax software for each prior year that you want to prepare.

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.

Remember that you must obtain the individual’s authorization to submit their tax return electronically. For more information, refer to Getting authorization to electronically submit the tax return.

Verifying EFILE transmission errors

If a tax return has not been accepted, the report will show that it was Rejected and give the error codes.

The most common situations that generate an error code are:

• the individual's first or last name is incorrect
• the individual's date of birth is incorrect
• a mandatory field has not been filled out 
• the tax return has already been submitted

For a detailed explanation and to find out how to resolve error codes when filing tax returns electronically, refer to the RC4018, Electronic Filers Manual (Chapter 2).

Be sure to correct the information as instructed in the manual. When it is done, you can try to re-transmit the tax return again.

Note that a tax return can be rejected several times with different error codes.

If you cannot find an error code in the manual, or you need additional help to resolve it, contact your designated EFILE Helpdesk support.

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.

It is possible to save a tax return, but it should be done only if necessary. If you have to save a tax return, refer to Saving a tax return and Returning and clearing information.

If the problem cannot be resolved, print a paper copy of the tax return for the individual and instruct them to mail it to the CRA for processing.

For more information on how to print a tax return, refer to Printing a tax return.

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