Filing Your Return and Dealing With the CRA
Deadlines, software, records, audits and changing a return.
This hub is about the mechanics of filing and the relationship with the Canada Revenue Agency: when things are due, how to file, what to keep, and what to do when the CRA writes back. Most penalties come from missed dates and missing records, not from the tax itself.
Start with the deadlines and the tax calendar, then pick filing software. The record-keeping and audit guides explain what the CRA can ask for and how long to keep it, and the year-end checklist lists the moves that must happen by December 31. Each date is tied to the CRA page for the year named.
If something on a filed return was wrong, the guides on changing a return and working with a tax professional explain your options before interest builds.
What this hub helps you decide:
- When is my return due, and when is the balance due?
- Which tax software fits my return?
- What records do I keep, and for how long?
- What should I do if the CRA reviews or audits me?
Updated November 2026 · 8 guides by Andrew
Start here
- CRA Deadlines 2026 | Every Key Date for Canadians
- Canadian Tax Calendar 2026: Deadlines & Planning Guide
- Best Canadian Tax Software 2026 | Free & Paid Options
- Tax Record-Keeping Guide for Canadians | CRA Requirements
- CRA Audit Guide 2026 | What to Do
New to taxes? Read the overview first: How Canadian Taxes Actually Work — A Plain-English Guide.
All Filing, CRA & Disputes guides
Canada's 2027 Tax and Money Changes: TFSA, RRSP, Brackets, CPP, and Budget 2026
CRA has confirmed the 2027 RRSP limit ($35,390), YMPE ($76,700) and YAMPE ($87,400). The 2027 TFSA limit and brackets are not announced, and Budget 2026 lands November 5.
Year-End Tax Moves for 2026: The December 31 Checklist
2026 year-end tax checklist for Canada: what really ends Dec 31 (FHSA, gifts, RESP grant, Dec 30 TSX loss sales) and why the RRSP deadline is March 1, 2027.
CRA Deadlines 2026 | Every Key Date for Canadians
Key CRA deadlines for the 2026 tax year, listed in date order, including dates that still belong to the prior filing season.
Working with a Tax Professional Canada 2026 | Worth It?
Every spring, Canadians ask whether to file their own taxes or hire help. The answer depends on how complex the return is.
Canadian Tax Calendar 2026: Deadlines & Planning Guide
Canadians leave an average of $1,200 on the table each year by missing tax planning windows. This calendar tracks the deadlines.
Tax Record-Keeping Guide for Canadians | CRA Requirements
47% of Canadian taxpayers make mistakes on their returns because records are missing or disorganized. This guide shows what to keep.
CRA Audit Guide 2026 | What to Do
The CRA audits about 0.5% to 1% of individual returns each year. This guide explains what to do if yours is selected.
Best Canadian Tax Software 2026 | Free & Paid Options
The right Canadian tax software can save about 1 to 3 hours of filing. This guide compares what each program does.