SimpleFile review
A free CRA filing service for eligible Canadians with straightforward returns.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SimpleFile is a free Canada Revenue Agency filing service for eligible individuals with lower incomes and simple tax situations. It uses answers to a short series of questions, along with information already held by the CRA, to complete and process an income tax and benefit return. Filing is available digitally through a web form, by phone, or on paper. Digital filing is available with or without an invitation for eligible users, while phone and paper filing require an invitation.
The single SimpleFile plan costs nothing and does not require users to complete forms or calculations when filing through SimpleFile Digital. The question-based workflow is designed around the information the CRA already has, which can reduce the amount of information users need to enter. Federal and provincial or territorial filing is included for residents outside Quebec. SimpleFile runs in the cloud and is available through the web rather than as a mobile app.
Its main trade-off is scope. SimpleFile supports specified income sources, including Canadian-source interest income, but it does not support self-employment or rental income. Quebec residents also need to file their provincial return separately through Revenu Québec. That makes SimpleFile a suitable choice for eligible people whose tax situation fits its supported questions and CRA-held information. People with business income, rental income, or more complex filing needs should choose a tax service with broader return coverage.
SimpleFile pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free digital, phone and paper filing options
- Uses CRA-held information to help complete returns
- Includes federal and provincial filing outside Quebec
- Where it doesn't
- Does not support self-employment income
- Does not support rental income
- Quebec provincial returns must be filed separately
SimpleFile fact sheet, pricing and score →
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