CRA’s ReFILE

Note that the CRA's ReFILE service can only be used for federal tax returns. It cannot be used to send online adjustment requests for the Quebec income tax returns under the income tax assistance program.

To allow organizations to use ReFILE, an individual’s information may be kept for up to 28 days from the date the tax returns were submitted. This rule only applies to organizations and volunteers who offer the ReFILE service.

For more information on how to ensure you are keeping individuals’ information safe, refer to How to save and print the tax return in the ITAVP learning guide and to the Income tax return preparation sessions section of the Guide for volunteers available in the Personalized Space for Volunteers on Revenu Québec’s website.

Eligibility criteria

ReFILE can be used for the federal tax return through the tax software provided by the ITAVP if the following conditions apply:

• The individual’s federal tax return was filed electronically
• You have a saved copy of the tax return
• The individual received their NOA from the CRA
• The individual returns to the same ITAVP income tax return preparation session or partner organization
• The individual’s amended tax return is being sent by the same volunteer who filed the original tax return
• Only corrections, such as adding missing tax slips or changing amounts, will be made

ReFILE cannot be used to make changes to personal information such as:

• marital status
• address
• direct deposit
• email address

Refer the individual to CRA’s My Account for Individuals or to Update your personal information with the CRA if changes related to their personal information are required.

The individual must send the following adjustment requests by mail:

• Change a tax return that has not been assessed
• Change a tax return where nine reassessments have been processed for a particular tax year
• Apply for Tax credits and benefits for individuals
• Apply for the disability tax credit (DTC)
• Change a tax return for a tax year that has a reassessment in progress
• Change a tax return for an international individual, a newcomer to Canada or an individual who left Canada during the year

How to use ReFILE

There are a number of steps to follow in the UFile CVITP tax software to successfully send an adjustment request using ReFILE.

Step 1: CRA ReFILE

• Start the ReFILE process by opening the individual’s saved tax return

• From the Interview tab, click CRA ReFILE in the left-side menu
• Click Federal ReFILE Mode to start amending the tax return

Step 2: Amendments

• Enter the required changes in the applicable pages(s) and click Next for each modified page

Step 3: EFILE eligibility

• Once all the modifications are entered, verify that the federal tax return is EFILE eligible under the Review tab
• Refer to Troubleshooting if you are not eligible to use ReFILE to submit the adjustment request

Step 4: ReFILE the tax return

• Proceed to the EFILE tab and click ReFILE my return now! 

Processing time

The time required to complete an adjustment varies depending on the type of adjustment requested and the circumstances involved.

When the review is done, the CRA will send the individual one of the following:

• A notice of reassessment showing any changes to their federal tax return
• A letter explaining why the CRA did not make the changes that were requested or why no changes were needed

For more information about processing times, refer to the Check CRA processing times tool on Canada.ca.

Troubleshooting

The most common situations that prevent a federal tax return from being amended electronically 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

When you attempt to re-submit a federal 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.

Error code: 503

Error message: The Canada Revenue Agency cannot process this ReFILE adjustment as submitted.

Reason: You tried to Refile before the NOA or make changes to information that could not be changed.

How to fix the error:

• Consult the most recent NOA or Notice of Reassessment for the latest tax return information 

Error code: 530

Error message: The Canada Revenue Agency's processing system cannot accept this ReFILE submission.

Reason: The system will not accept the refiled return.

How to fix the error:

•  Complete a paper T1 Adjustment and attach all pertinent slips and receipts so that the taxpayer receives all the benefits and deductions allowed

Error code: 586

Error message: The Canada Revenue Agency cannot process this ReFILE due to system constraints.

Reason: The information submitted is outside of what is permitted by ReFILE.

How to fix the error:

• If the entries are correct, send a paper T1 Adjustment form and attach all pertinent slips and receipts

Error code: 589

Error message: The Canada Revenue Agency has successfully received the <tax year> ReFILE submission for <taxpayer’s name> and is being processed. Please keep this confirmation number and DCN for your records: ####### - #############.

Any changes to taxpayer information (listed on the ReFILE webpage as invalid) will not be updated to the CRA. These changes can be made by the client through My Account at CRA.

Reason:  The tax return is accepted with errors and delay due to supporting documentation required.

How to fix the error:

• The CRA requires additional information to complete the request: 
  • the individual will receive a letter advising of the documentation required
  • if electronic mail is enabled for the individual, you may be able to view the letter in Represent a Client
  • otherwise, a letter will be mailed to the address the CRA has on file for the individual