CRA adds optional sign-in step for online tax filing

The Canada Revenue Agency will add a sign-in step to online income tax filing starting Feb. 22, 2027, and the step is optional for 2026 tax returns, the agency said in a tax tip published Sept. 22.

Filers will sign in to their CRA account to confirm their identity and that they are filing for themselves or are authorized to file for someone else. The CRA said the step “adds an extra layer of security” to filing.

The change applies to individuals who file through NETFILE, to authorized representatives using NETFILE, and to tax preparers and volunteers who use EFILE, including those in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

The agency said the step “confirms your identity as the individual initiating the filing transaction.” Because it is optional for 2026 returns, filers can still complete a return without it in the coming season.

The CRA is asking Canadians to prepare ahead. It said people who do not have a CRA account should register for one, and anyone with a locked, restricted or inaccessible account should resolve the problem before filing.

The agency also recommends adding a backup multi-factor authentication method and keeping personal information up to date. Anyone who uses a representative to file should confirm that the person is authorized first.

The CRA noted that first-time filers with no prior filing history will not have access to a CRA account.

Readers with questions about their own situation should check the CRA’s page linked above or contact the agency directly.

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