As a user, it is solely your responsibility to read the privacy policies of software developers carefully. The CRA does not review them.

It is the users’ and developer’s responsibility to provide accurate information while using the software. Any programming error may cause discrepancy in calculated income tax or benefits payable and they will be solely the responsibility of these two parties and not the CRA’s.

As a user, you need to make sure that the software is updated to the latest version. However, if you encounter issues even when using the latest version, check if you are truly using a certified software for NETFILE. The problems may occur due to either older version of the software or because it’s an uncertified product. If you encounter any other technical problems, please contact the software developer directly.

In case an error message occurred while sending your tax return using NETFILE, please call 1-800-959-8281.

Tax Returns Limitation

NETFILE is an electronic service for the tax payers for filing their individual income tax and benefit return with the CRA. The CRA allows filing 20 returns per computer each tax payer via NETFLIE. This limit prevents professional tax preparation service to abuse the system which originally was created for individual tax payers’ families. The limit of 20 returns is considered to be enough to file tax returns for the entire family. The CRA has established this limit based on the number of filed returns either printed or filed via NETFLIE even for a large family per year.

Software developers are responsible for maintaining this limit, otherwise they may lose the NETFLIE certificate.

Testing Period

The CRA’s testing period lasts from December to March each year. During this frame, the agency tests various software packages and web applications used for NETFLIE. This process usually lasts for 4-6 weeks and ends in late January, right before the certification of the software package with the NETFLIE service.

Additional Information About Certified Software Products

As a user you have to be aware of the following information:

• The latest software update has to be downloaded from the developer. The only exception is when you use a web application.
• Any information concerning the software update should be received only from the developer’s official website or the software itself.
• During installation or signup, you will be asked to select your preferred language. Please make sure that this is the correct language for further communication with the CRA, documents and forms.

Official Languages of the CRA

The CRA works in full compliance with the Official Languages Act as well as with the relevant Treasury Board policies. Therefore, all services and information are provided in English and French.

Yet, some additional information from external sources can be offered for convenience purposes in different languages that were provided to the CRA. These external sources are not obliged to follow the Official Languages Act.