2011 EFILE program

• return resubmission
• communication with the CRA
• clarifying renewal versus new registration

In this section, we'll view the CRA's new initiative for return resubmissions, an important notice for communication with the CRA, and clarify the renewal and registration processes for EFILE.

Return resubmission

• There has been an increase in the number of requests to taxpayers to file an income tax and benefit return.
• The CRA discovered that returns which were rejected with correctable errors were not resubmitted.
• The CRA sends messages to electronic filers to resubmit correctable returns twice per program, in April and September.

Over the last few years, the CRA has had to increase the number of requests being sent to taxpayers to file a return. In many of these instances, taxpayers claim to have filed their return through NETFILE or to have gone to a tax preparer who filed the return using EFILE.

The CRA determined that the returns had been filed but were rejected with a correctable error. However, these returns were never resubmitted. As a service to tax preparers, the CRA will again be addressing the EFILE situation by sending messages to electronic filers who submitted returns that were rejected, but not corrected and resubmitted. These messages will be generated in April and September of each year. This process is expected to reduce late-filing penalties for taxpayers, and improve our level of communication with tax preparers.

Communication with the CRA

• The CRA regularly communicates with tax preparers through its Web site and by email.
• Electronic filers may not receive emails from EFILE-TED [noreply@cra-arc.gc.ca] if their computers identify email from that address as spam.
• Tax preparers must ensure that software communication programs are configured appropriately to receive email from the CRA.

As touched upon in the previous slide, important messages are regularly communicated to the tax preparer community through the CRA's Web site and by email. These capabilities provide the CRA with the opportunity to inform tax preparers of changes, maintenance schedules, filing deadlines, suitability screening status, and other matters.

The CRA knows that some electronic filers are not receiving email because their computer identifies email from the EFILE address as spam and redirects that email to a junk folder. Also, firewalls may be configured in such a way that prevents the receipt of these messages.

Tax preparers should access their software communication programs to ensure that things such as spam filters, junk mailboxes, and firewalls are not configured to stop them from receiving EFILE email.

Clarifying renewal versus new registration

• Reminder - You only need one EFILE number to file your clients' income tax returns.
• verification if registrant has existing EFILE number
• Renew, don't reregister!
• Lost numbers or passwords? Call the EFILE Helpdesk.
• New EFILE users can register at www.efile.cra.gc.ca

You only need one EFILE number from year to year. 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.

EFILE users who already have an EFILE number should renew and not re-register unless:

• the business is sold;
• a business's organizational structure, partnership composition, or controlling interest changes;
• branch sites or managing offices are added;
• names of firms or business names change; or
• partners or corporate officers change.

If you have lost your EFILE number or password, do not file a new application. Instead, contact your EFILE Helpdesk for assistance.