Filing Your Own Taxes in Canada & Quebec (Yes, You Can Do It)
Your step by step guide to filing your own taxes in Canada and Quebec using free tax software - including where to do it for free
In this article, we will cover:
How to file your own taxes in Canada and Quebec step by step
Which tax software Canadians commonly use (including free options)
How to gather your tax slips and use Auto Fill My Return
The difference between tax deductions and tax credits
What to do if you made a mistake on your return
What happens if you owe taxes
Where to find free help if you need it
Every year around tax season Canadians collectively panic.
It usually starts with RRSP season and then the tax slips begin arriving, the CRA emails start appearing and suddenly everyone feels like the tax man is somewhere in the distance sharpening his pencil.
I used to think filing taxes was a mysterious process only accountants understood. Then when I was about 20 years old I paid an accountant about $200 to file my return — as a student, that hurt.
The result? Mistakes (not saying all accountants make mistakes, but mine did.)
That was my lightbulb moment.
When I actually looked at the return, I realized something surprising: taxes are not magic, and paying an accountant does not mean a bigger refund.
For most people it is simply entering numbers from one box into another box.
No shade to accountants. A good one is absolutely worth it if you run a business, own multiple properties, or your finances resemble a spreadsheet from NASA (I hope to get there one day, but today is not that day).
But for many people with regular employment income, RRSP contributions, childcare expenses, or parental leave income, filing your own taxes is often much easier than people think.
The bonus today is that modern tax software walks you through the entire process.
Think of it less as battling the tax man and more like filling out a very nosy questionnaire about your financial life.
Let’s dive in.
Who Should File their Own Taxes
Doing your own taxes often works well if you:
Have employment income
Claim common deductions like RRSP contributions or childcare expenses
Received EI or QPIP parental leave benefits
Have a relatively straightforward financial situation
It may not be ideal if you:
Are self employed
Run a business
Own multiple rental properties
Have foreign income or complex investments
In those cases, professional help can absolutely make sense.
Automatic Tax Filing for Some Canadians
The Canada Revenue Agency has introduced a program called SimpleFile to help some Canadians with very simple tax situations file their taxes more easily.
SimpleFile allows eligible individuals to file their taxes using information the government already has on file.
Some Canadians receive an invitation from the CRA to use the program. In other cases, eligible individuals may be able to access the digital SimpleFile option through their CRA My Account.
The program is generally aimed at people with lower incomes and very straightforward returns, such as individuals who receive benefits or have only a small number of tax slips. Check your eligibility here.
If you live in Quebec, you will still need to file your provincial tax return with Revenu Québec even if you use a federal filing option like SimpleFile.
Cons to Consider
It can take time
It can be a lot of numbers
Your first return might take a couple of hours while you learn the process.
After that it usually gets much faster each year
It can feel intimidating at first
Taxes have their own language
The good news is tax software translates most of it into simple questions.
Pros of Filing Your Own Taxes
You save money
An accountant can cost anywhere from about $100 to several hundred dollars depending on complexity
Many tax software programs are free or inexpensive
The main trade off is your time.
You understand your own finances
When you enter the numbers yourself you start noticing how deductions, credits, and income interact
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before starting, collect all your tax slips and receipts. Common documents include:
T4 employment income
T4E employment insurance
T4A benefits or other income
RRSP contribution slips
T5 investment income
T2202 tuition slips
Childcare receipts
Medical expenses
Charitable donations
+Step 2: Log Into CRA My Account (And Revenu Québec account if applicable)
If you are filing your taxes yourself, it is extremely helpful to have access to CRA My Account. From there you can:
View many of your tax slips
Use Auto Fill My Return
Track your refund
See your RRSP contribution room
Update direct deposit information
If you are expecting a refund, setting up direct deposit will help you re*ceive it faster.
Hot Money Mom Tip: if you receive a refund, this might be a good opportunity to put that money away for a financial goal.
Quebec keeps things interesting by having its own tax return
If you live in Quebec, you will need to file two tax returns.
One return goes to the federal government through the Canada Revenue Agency.
The second return goes to the provincial government through Revenu Québec.
Most tax software makes this easy by preparing both returns at the same time. Once you enter your information, the software automatically generates both the federal and Quebec returns and submits them electronically.
It might sound intimidating, but in practice it usually only takes a few extra minutes: just one more form for the tax man.
Step 3: Choose Tax Software
Several tax software programs are popular in Canada:
The basic software is free for up to two people and you do not need an investment account with them. You are free to make a donation to keep the program going. 2 million Canadians already use it every year.
Very beginner friendly and guides you through the process.
Another long standing option many Canadians use. It is also free for students, for those reporting only employment income (one single T4) or income from a Canadian Government pension (OAS or CPP/QPP).
All of these allow electronic filing with CRA/Revenu Québec, and have experts you can talk to in case things get complicated.
Step 4: Import Your Slips
Most tax software offers something called “Auto Fill My Return”.
This connects to your CRA account and imports many of your tax slips automatically. It is the government saying:
“We already have most of this information anyway.”
You can also enter the numbers manually by typing them into the correct boxes.
Hot Money Mom Tip: Always double check the numbers because sometimes slips appear later in the CRA system. My method is to print out all my tax documents, double check the numbers & highlight them on my paper documents… and I do catch mistakes.
Also, “Auto Fill” does not always import RRSP contributions because those slips sometimes appear later in the CRA system. In my experience, I always have to manually input the information.
Step 5: Look for Deductions and Credits
This is where tax software really helps: it will ask questions to identify possible deductions and credits, just like your own personal (virtual) accountant.
Deductions and credits are not the same thing: a deduction lowers your taxable income whereas a credit lowers your tax bill.
Tax Deduction vs Tax Credit
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income before your taxes are calculated.
A tax credit reduces the amount of tax you owe after the calculation is done.
Commondeductions include:
RRSP contributions
Childcare expenses
Union or professional dues
Moving expenses in some situations
Examples of tax creditsinclude:
Charitable donation credits
Medical expense credits
Tuition credits
Every deduction you find reduces the amount going to the tax man. Which is always satisfying.
Scared to have missed something ?
The CRA has its own user friendly page listing Tax Credits for individuals.
You can click through the Revenu Québec Website to find tax credits and tax deductions.
Step 6: File Using NETFILE
Once everything is complete, you can submit your tax return electronically through CRA NETFILE and Netfile Québec. The software usually links it automatically for you.
This is the fastest way to file.
Most refunds arrive within about two weeks if you are signed up for direct deposit.
Step 7: Check Your Notice of Assessment
After filing, CRA will send a Notice of Assessment.
This confirms:
Your refund or balance owing
Your RRSP contribution room
Any adjustments made by CRA
Always keep this document for your records although it is also available online.
What If You Made a Mistake?
First of all, relax. The CRA does not send the tax police.
You can submit corrections through the Change My Return feature in your CRA account.
Mistakes happen. Even accountants make them.
Can CRA Audit You After 7 Years?
You may hear people say the tax authorities cannot look at your taxes after 7 years. That is not entirely true.
Both the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec normally reassess returns within a few years after they are filed. However, if they believe there was carelessness, misrepresentation, or fraud, they can go back much further.
That means there is no strict “7 year rule” that prevents an audit.
As a practical rule, it is recommended to keep tax records and supporting documents for at least 6 years after the end of the tax year.
Because the tax man has a very good memory.
What If You Owe Taxes?
No one loves this moment, but you will have to pay them back. If you owe taxes you can:
Pay through online banking
Pay through your CRA account
Set up a payment plan with CRA if necessary
Interest may apply if the balance is unpaid after the deadline.
Hot Money Mom tip: if you are able to contribute to registered accounts like an FHSA & RRSP this can reduce your tax bill and increase refunds.
Important Tax Deadlines
For most people:
April 30 is the deadline to file and pay taxes.
If you are self employed, the filing deadline is June 15.
However, any taxes owed are still due by April 30 to avoid interest.
Free Help If You Need It
Across Canada there are free tax clinics for people with modest income. These are run by trained volunteers and can help you file your taxes at no cost.
You can find a clinic by clicking here .
Hot Money Mom Takeaway
Taxes feel intimidating mostly because no one ever teaches us how they work.
But once you do them yourself, you realize something surprising: it is mostly just entering the numbers in boxes.
And understanding those numbers is one of the best ways to understand your money - even if the tax man still gets his cut.
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