CRA’s ReFILE

Important note

You cannot use the tax software to change a Quebec income tax return. Instead, the individual can either:

 

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.

Important note

To use ReFILE, the individual’s federal tax return must have been filed electronically, they must have received their notice of assessment (NOA) and you must have an electronic copy of their tax return available.

If the tax return was not initially submitted electronically and a change needs to be made, the individual can use the CRA Change my return service online or form T1-ADJ T1 Adjustment Request, can be sent to the CRA by mail.

 

Eligibility criteria

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

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

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:

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.

Important note

You must have the individual’s authorization to change their federal tax return before using ReFILE. For more information, refer to Getting the individual’s authorization and information.

A TIS60 completed for a ReFILE situation will have the letter “R” populated after the tax year.

 

Step 1: CRA ReFILE

Text version for the above image

UFile screen

Under Interview tab

Family Head sub-tab

CRA ReFILE topic is highlighted

CRA ReFILE page

Federal ReFILE Mode is highlighted

Step 2: Amendments

Text version for the above image

UFile screen

Under Interview tab

Family Head sub-tab

Interest topic is highlighted

Interest not recorded on information slips page

Interest income from bonds is highlighted

ITAVP tip

If you are using CRA’s Auto-fill my return to automatically fill in missing information follow the instructions in How to use Auto-fill my return.

 

Step 3: EFILE eligibility

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UFile screen

Under Review tab

Family Head sub-tab

Messages topic 

Messages page

MaxBack notes and analysis is highlighted

Step 4: ReFILE the tax return

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UFile screen

Under EFILE tab

Family Head sub-tab

Federal submission topic 

Federal EFILE submission for: Family Head page

When you are ready to ReFILE, click “ReFILE my return now!” section is highlighted

 

Tax tip

After changes to the federal tax return have been requested using ReFILE, remind the individual to keep all of their receipts and supporting documentation in case the CRA asks to see them.

 

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Important note

If you require assistance, contact your EFILE Helpdesk.

 

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:

Important note

Remind the individual:

  • to reply to the CRA communication within the timeframe indicated on it to avoid further delays
  • to keep all tax information slips and document for six years after you filed the tax return
 

Reminder

If you cannot use ReFILE due to a CRA exclusion, refer the individual to CRA's My Account for Individuals or to Update your personal information with the CRA. Form T1-ADJ T1 Adjustment Request, can also be completed and sent to the CRA by mail.

 

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2025-02-04