The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a significant shift in its service delivery, directly impacting Canadians who prefer to file their income taxes using paper forms. For the upcoming 2025 tax season, the agency will no longer automatically mail paper tax packages to individuals who filed on paper the previous year.
The Digital Push and Its Impact on Paper Filers
In a move framed as supporting its continued shift to digital services, the CRA confirmed the change last week. The agency highlighted that approximately 93% of all income tax and benefit returns are now filed online. Electronic filing allows for much faster processing and quicker refunds compared to paper submissions.
"This decision has been made to support the CRA’s continued shift to digital services," the agency stated. It actively encourages the remaining paper filers to consider online options, noting the benefits of speed and convenience.
Key Changes for the 2025 Tax Season
For the seven percent of taxpayers who still file on paper, several important changes are now in effect. First, the automatic mailing of the general income tax package has been shelved. Second, even if a taxpayer requests a paper package, it will arrive without a suite of supplemental forms deemed less frequently used.
These excluded forms include those for reporting capital gains and losses, claiming the multigenerational home renovation tax credit, and declaring education amounts, along with their applicable provincial versions. The CRA stated that a "careful analysis" was done to minimize the impact of removing these specific schedules.
How to Obtain Paper Forms for 2025
Canadians determined to file on paper for the 2025 tax year have two main options. They can download and print the necessary forms directly from the CRA's website when they become available. Alternatively, they can contact the CRA by phone to request that forms be mailed to them.
It is crucial to note that forms for the 2025 tax year will not be available until January 20, 2026. Any requests made before this date will result in the CRA mailing out the previous year's (2024) forms, which will be obsolete for the current filing season.
Alternative Filing Options
The CRA continues to promote its digital and automated services. For individuals with straightforward tax situations, particularly those with lower income and a predictable, non-taxable outcome, the agency offers the SimpleFile service (formerly File My Return). This automated, phone-based system allows eligible individuals to have the CRA complete and process their return without any paperwork.
This policy change underscores the federal revenue agency's firm direction toward a fully digital tax administration system, urging all Canadians to adapt to new methods of filing and communication.
