Canada Revenue Agency
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News and program updates
January 17, 2012
Stockpiling Process
The CRA will begin processing T1 returns (2011 tax year) on February 13, 2012. Prior to that date, you can continue to submit T2 returns and form T1013, Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative if you have renewed your EFILE account and completed the suitability screening process. Commencing January 23, 2012, providing you have met the previous requirements and are using a certified software, you will be able to submit T1 returns through our EOL+ (batch) filing system. These returns will be placed in a stockpile inventory until we open for processing on February 13, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (eastern (Ottawa) time).
We will accept the T1 batches submitted in XML format from one to thirty returns. The Form T1013 may be submitted in batches from one to thirty.
As a reminder, we are asking that you take care when preparing returns to ensure that all of the necessary fields are completed prior to their submission. Our system validations are programmed to reject returns and\or entire batches if there is missing or invalid data in the applicable fields. Many software packages generate warnings or have their own validations to inform the preparer that data is missing or erroneous. Should you chose to ignore the software product messages and submit the file, it will be rejected thereby causing a delay in its processing.
If you are submitting discounted returns please ensure that you include a valid discounter number.
The following text message will be returned for transactions in error:
Return number XXX in the attached file contains an invalid discounter code. Please correct the information, resave your file and try again.
This message will be displayed throughout the program for all EOL + (batch) transactions that contain invalid discounter codes. When we start accepting EOL returns on Monday, February 13, 2012, those containing invalid discounter codes will continue to reject under error code 58.
January 11, 2012
Electronic Services - 2012 Program
Renewal Reminder
Thank you for using the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) electronic services to file your clients' individual and corporation income tax returns to transmit form T1013 electronically.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like to remind you to renew your participation online in order to maintain your access to electronic services for the coming year and to receive CRA emails. This will allow use of the following electronic services:
- EFILE Online
- EFILE Online Plus
- System for Electronic Notification of Debt (SEND)
- Corporation Internet Filing
- Electronic submission of form T1013
To renew your participation, make an online request at www.efile.cra.gc.ca. Click on "Renewal" and follow the instructions provided. To log on, you will need your current EFILE number and password.
As an electronic filer, you have to comply with the electronic filing procedures. These procedures are available at www.efile.cra.gc.ca. You should become familiar with the information on these pages before using EFILE or SEND.
You only need one EFILE number to file all your clients' income tax returns. Only tax preparation businesses that operate more than one location are required to have multiple EFILE numbers. If you are in that situation, remember to complete a separate renewal request for each EFILE number.
If you have lost your EFILE number or password, DO NOT file a new application using the "New Registration" link. Instead, contact your EFILE Help Desk for assistance.
Seconds after submitting your electronic renewal request, it will be validated, and you will receive a confirmation page with your new password and the location of the EFILE helpdesk responsible for your file. Until we complete the required suitability screening, you will be restricted to account maintenance activities. We will send you an email or letter to let you know the result of our screening.
If you are also a discounter, you do not need to renew your discounter code. However, a revised application Form RC76 is required when information previously provided on Form RC75, Form RC76, or Form RC115 has changed.
If you have any questions about this letter or the electronic filing services and you can't find the answer on the CRA EFILE Web pages, call your EFILE Helpdesk.
December 16, 2011
Letter Campaign InitiativeThe Canada Revenue Agency will be conducting its letter campaign for the third year in a row to give Canadians the information they need to understand their tax obligations. The Audit Division in each tax services office will begin the campaign in early 2012.
Two types of letters will be sent to Canadians across the country. Some taxpayers will receive a letter explaining the eligibility criteria for certain deductions they have claimed on their recent income tax returns. Others will receive a letter with the same information, but it will also inform them that their income tax returns may be selected for audit.
The goal of the campaign is to educate taxpayers about certain claims they have made in the past and to promote compliance with the Income Tax Act. We are asking individuals to review their income and expense claims related to rental and/or business activities and employment expenses, and to review the calculation of capital gains or losses arising from dispositions of publicly-traded shares or mutual fund units.
We also want to allow taxpayers to amend their income tax returns by completing an adjustment request in cases where they may have claimed deductions in error or provided inaccurate information.
If you or your clients have questions about the letter campaign or need help making changes to previously filed or current tax returns, go to www.cra.gc.ca/audit or call the individual income tax enquiries line at 1-800-959-8281.
December 6, 2011
System Maintenance / SEND ProductionThe EFILE web-site will be disabled for system maintenance on Thursday, December 8 and Friday, December 9. It will re-open on Saturday, December 10, at 06:00 a.m. eastern (Ottawa) time. Users attempting to logon during this time period will receive a "closed for maintenance" message.
On Monday, December 12, at 8:30 a.m. eastern (Ottawa) time, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will start accepting production System for Electronic Notification of Debt (SEND) requests.
November 24, 2011
EFILE Account Renewals and Filing T1013'sIn the Return(s) Type field of the renewal form, a block was added this year where we ask you to indicate whether you will be transmitting Form T1013 - Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative. Due to a program error, that field was initially defaulting to "No" when, in fact, the system should have prompted you to answer "Yes" or "No".
A system fix was implemented on November 2, 2011. Those now renewing their accounts will be prompted for a response. If you renewed your account prior to November 2 and you want to transmit T1013's electronically, we would ask that you access your record via the maintenance option in the Action Menu and make a change to this field.
Additionally, for those efilers who have renewed their accounts or are about to renew their accounts and who intend to file T1013's at this time, please ensure that your newly assigned password is updated in your tax calculation software package. Failure to do so will result in the T1013 transactions being rejected.
We regret any inconvenience.
October 24, 2011
Electronic Services - 2012 ProgramThank you for using the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) electronic services to file your clients' individual and corporation income tax returns. To maintain your access to electronic services for the coming year, including receiving emails from the CRA, you have to renew your participation online. This will allow you to use the following electronic services
- EFILE Online
- EFILE Online Plus
- System for Electronic Notification of Debt (SEND)
- Corporation Internet Filing
- Electronic submission of form T1013
As an electronic filer, you have to comply with the electronic filing procedures. These procedures are available at www.efile.cra.gc.ca. You should become familiar with the information on these pages before using EFILE or SEND.
To renew your participation, make an online request at www.efile.cra.gc.ca. Click on "Renewal" and follow the instructions provided. To log on, you will need your current EFILE number and password.
You only need one EFILE number to file all your clients' income tax returns. Only tax preparation businesses that operate more than one location are required to have multiple EFILE numbers. If you are in that situation, remember to complete a separate renewal request for each EFILE number.
If you have lost your EFILE number or password, DO NOT try to file a new application using the "New Registration" link. Instead, contact your EFILE Help Desk for assistance.
Seconds after submitting your electronic renewal request, it will be validated, and you will receive a confirmation page with your new password and the location of the EFILE Helpdesk responsible for your file. Until we complete the required suitability screening, you will be restricted to account maintenance activities. We will send you an email or letter to let you know the result of our screening.
For those who file corporation income tax returns, you may continue to file T2 returns using your current EFILE number and password or your newly assigned password when you renew your participation. You can only file T2's in this manner until the end of December 2011. To continue filing T2's after that date, you will need to have renewed your EFILE Online account and passed our suitability screening.
If you are also a discounter, you do not need to renew your discounter code. However, a revised application Form RC76 is required when information previously provided on Form RC75, Form RC76, or Form RC115 has changed.
If you have any questions about this letter or the electronic filing services and you can't find the answer on the CRA EFILE Web pages, call your EFILE Helpdesk.
