Winnipeg 
Canadians can start preparing now for the 2026 tax-filing season, as the Canada Revenue Agency outlines what to expect when filing 2025 income tax returns.
Important Dates:
Online filing opens on February 23, 2026. Before submitting a return, taxpayers should ensure they’ve received all required slips from employers and financial institutions, which are generally issued by the end of February.
Those with a CRA online account can also access copies once they’re processed. If slips are still missing by late March, the CRA advises contacting the issuer directly. Filing earlier in the season can help avoid delays during the annual rush.
For most people, the filing and payment deadline remains April 30, 2026. Self-employed individuals, and those whose spouse or common-law partner is self-employed, have until June 15, 2026 to file, though any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.
What is New
Several changes affect the 2025 return itself. The lowest personal income tax rate dropped partway through 2025, resulting in a blended annual rate of 14.5%. A new non-refundable “top-up” credit ensures certain credits above the first tax bracket threshold are effectively calculated at 15%.
This year also marks the final availability of the return of fuel charge proceeds to farmers’ tax credit, following the end of the federal fuel charge in April 2025. In addition, more expenses now qualify under the disability supports deduction.
The CRA is also leaning further into digital services. Account holders who are locked out can now regain access online without calling in. By February 2026, users will be required to set up a backup multi-factor authentication option to prevent access issues. Representatives must request and receive authorization online, and paper copies of tax slips will no longer be issued by phone.
Notices of assessment will be available only through CRA online accounts once returns are processed. Taxpayers can also find their NETFILE access code there and manage balances of $1,000 or more by setting up payment plans online. A redesigned chatbot, now in beta, is available around the clock to answer a broader range of tax questions as the agency continues updating its web services.
