Yes. You can file a personal income tax return online through NETFILE, using CRA-certified tax software. Eligible individuals can also use SimpleFile Digital or SimpleFile by Phone, both free CRA services. Businesses file GST/HST returns separately, through My Business Account or the standalone GST/HST NETFILE form.
| Way to file | What you need | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| NETFILE (personal T1) | SIN or eligible TTN, CRA-certified tax software | Depends on the software product |
| SimpleFile Digital | CRA eligibility check; some filers need the access code on a notice of assessment | Free |
| SimpleFile by Phone | A CRA invitation | Free |
| My Business Account (GST/HST) | CRA sign-in; no access code | No third-party software |
| GST/HST NETFILE (standalone form) | 4-digit access code from your filing package | No third-party software |
| Quebec GST/HST and QST | Revenu Québec My Account or a clicSÉQUR express code | No third-party software |
How to file your personal taxes online with the CRA
You can file your T1 personal income tax and benefit return online through NETFILE, using one of CRA’s certified tax-software options — our NETFILE guide covers how to pick one. If you’re not sure which route fits, NETFILE with certified software keeps you in control of entering your own slips, while SimpleFile is built for people the CRA already has enough information about to file on their behalf. If you have a simple, non-taxable situation, you may be eligible for SimpleFile Digital — some people qualify without an invitation, after an eligibility check and access-code verification. SimpleFile by Phone works the same way but is invitation-only; the CRA decides who qualifies, generally people with a lower or fixed income and a simple return. Certified NETFILE software can also use Auto-fill my return to pull in slips the CRA already has on file, cutting down on manual entry. None of these services replace CRA My Account, the portal where you view and manage your tax and benefit payments after you’ve filed; registering generally needs a social insurance number and a filed and assessed return from the current or previous tax year, though Alberta and British Columbia residents can register through a provincial partner even if they have never filed.
Filing a GST/HST return online
GST/HST registrants file through My Business Account — sign in with a CRA Sign-in Partner or a CRA user ID and password, open your GST/HST (RT) account (e.g., 123456789 RT 0001), and select “File a return”; no access code is needed. Or use the standalone GST/HST NETFILE form, which needs the 4-digit access code from your filing package and times out after 35 minutes of inactivity. Both channels submit the return straight to the CRA with no third-party software involved. For a full line-by-line walkthrough of what to have ready, see filing a GST/HST return; if every line would be zero, see filing a nil GST/HST return instead. Reporting deadlines depend on your filing frequency — check GST/HST filing deadlines for your actual due dates.
How do you pay income tax directly?
You can pay a personal income tax balance directly to the CRA through My Account, online banking, the My Payment service for debit cards, or a pre-authorized debit set up in advance. Filing and paying are separate steps. Businesses pay GST/HST the same way — see how to pay GST/HST to the CRA for payee names and processing times.
What About Quebec?
If Revenu Québec administers your account, use its GST/HST and QST filing services. Eligible registrants may file through My Account or the express service using a clicSÉQUR express access code. For reporting periods starting in 2024 or later, electronic filing is generally required, with an exception for charities. Revenu Québec filing options.
Related guides
Sources
- CRA: GST/HST NETFILE instructions
- CRA: SimpleFile Digital
- CRA: SimpleFile by Phone
- CRA: automatic tax filing
- CRA: about My Account
- CRA: pay by online banking
- CRA: general information for GST/HST registrants
- CRA: reporting requirements and deadlines
- Revenu Québec: filing gsthst and qst returns
Sources checked October 21, 2026.