The CRA Isn’t Mailing Out Tax Packages—Here’s How to Get One

Vinyl records, bell-bottom jeans, yacht rock—these artifacts of decades past have found new fans among today's young people. Filling out tax forms by hand? Not so much.

Believe it or not, it's been more than 30 years since every Canadian had to file their taxes using paper forms and a mail-in envelope. Since then, telephone and, later, internet filing services have made hard copies a thing of the past, at least for many Canadians. In the 2025 tax-filing season, just 7% of tax filers (nearly 2.4 million returns) chose to submit their taxes using a pencil and a stamp.

If you're among those who prefer filing the old-fashioned way, here's some news you'll need for the 2026 tax season: the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is no longer going to “proactively” send out paper tax packages, also known as T1 packages. You can request one if you want to continue filing with paper, or you can think about switching to online filing.

Why is the CRA no longer mailing paper tax packages?

The CRA is encouraging Canadians to file online because it takes longer to process paper returns. The move to digital filing is part of a broader push by the CRA towards digital services.

How can I get a paper tax package from the CRA?

If you want to file your return by paper, you can get a tax package in one of two ways:

1. Phone the CRA at 1-855-330-3305 to request one by mail.
2. Visit the CRA's Forms and Publications page to either download and print the package or ask for it to be mailed.

An important note for mailed packages: some federal forms, along with their corresponding provincial and territorial versions, will no longer be automatically included. For example, the CRA has removed the forms “Schedule 3 - Capital Gains or Losses” and “Schedule 12 - Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit” from the package. Be sure to request all the forms that apply to your situation or download them online. See the CRA's list of removed forms.

Why should I switch to online filing?

Online tax filing offers several benefits, including:

• The potential for a faster refund: If you file your taxes online and you've set up direct deposit at your bank or credit union, the CRA says you could receive your tax refund in as little as eight business days.
• Auto-fill My Return: This feature imports information from your CRA account, if you have one, into your tax-filing platform. This saves you time and reduces the risk of data-entry mistakes. Learn more about using Auto-fill My Return.
• Finding deductions and credits: Tax software can help you identify tax breaks you're eligible for, such as tuition tax credits, deducting child care expenses, and more.
• Less hassle: You don't have to mail anything, and you never have to worry about your return getting lost en route.

What is the tax-filing deadline?

Whether you file online or by paper, the same deadlines apply: April 30 for most Canadians, June 15 for those who are self-employed or whose spouse or common-law partner is self-employed. (But if you owe taxes, payment is still due on April 30.) If these dates fall on a weekend, you have until the next business day to file.

The benefits of CRA My Account

One way to make the online tax-filing process easier is to set up your CRA My Account. This is your online portal with the CRA, which allows you to do things like update your personal information, access documents, and view your Notice of Assessment. Learn more about CRA My Account.

Time to file your taxes?

Make this the year you switch to online filing. TurboTax is here to help. You can file your taxes yourself, consult our tax experts, or have us prepare your return from start to finish.

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