A familiar combination of dread and paperwork generally accompanies tax season. Slips disappear, numbers blend, and even the most organized Canadians can find themselves questioning every line upon their return. But what if there were a method to make everything easier, faster, more precise, and virtually stress-free?
That is precisely what Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) was meant for.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers AFR, an advanced software program that integrates your critical tax information, such as T4S, RRSP contributions, and tuition receipts, right into your return. With a few clicks, your data appears, ready for review and submission.
This blog is the complete guide to auto-fill my return (AFR) 2025, in which you’ll learn how AFR works, why it matters for 2025, and how to use it step by step. We’ll walk through the benefits, the setup, and tips for avoiding common hiccups. Whether you’re filing solo or with a professional, this is your go-to resource for making the most of AFR this tax season.
What is Auto-Fill My Return (AFR)?
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers a secure tool called Auto-Fill My Return (AFR), which allows individuals and authorized tax preparers to automatically populate elements of their income tax and benefit returns with information already on file with the CRA. It is worth noting that AFR only gets the info that the CRA has on record for you, like T4s and T5s. It doesn’t include everything, such as self-employment income or money from other sources. You’ll need to enter that manually.
The purpose is to reduce errors and save time by eliminating the need to enter information that the CRA already has access to manually.
5 Benefits of Utilizing Auto-Fill My Return (AFR)
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) feature is a lifesaver for Canadians who want to make tax time easier. Whether you’re preparing on your own or hiring a tax professional, AFR speeds up the process, simplifies it, and ensures accuracy. Here are five significant advantages of utilizing AFR in 2025:
1. Save Time on Data Entry
Entering tax slips manually can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. AFR brings your tax data—such as T4SS, RRSP contributions, investment income, and more—automatically from the CRA into your return. What once took hours now takes only minutes.
2. Minimize Errors and Omissions
Typos, forgotten details, or incorrect figures may cause reassessments and delays. AFR reduces human error by retrieving permitted data straight from the CRA’s system. What’s the outcome? More accurate and thorough tax returns.
3. Get All CRA-Accessible Tax Slips at a Glance
One of the most significant benefits of Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) is that it collects all of your important tax paperwork in one location. Instead of searching for slips from many jobs, banks, or institutions, AFR retrieves everything the CRA has on file for you. This comprises job income (T4), pensions and annuities (T4A), investment income (T5, T5008), RRSP contributions and restrictions, tuition credits, HBP and LLP balances, and the Canada Training Credit. There’s no need to chase papers with AFR; everything is there at your fingertips.
4. File Earlier and with Confidence
Because the CRA starts publishing AFR data as early as mid-February, you can begin your return earlier. With all your information in one spot and certified by the CRA, you’ll feel more confident pressing “submit” long before the deadline.
5. Ideal for DIY Filers and Professionals Alike
Whether you prepare taxes using online tax software or consult with a tax professional, AFR makes it easier for all. AFR is easily integrated into most NETFILE-certified systems, and professionals can use it to accelerate preparation time while maintaining accuracy for their clients.
How to Use AFR for the 2025 Tax Season
Using AFR is simple if you follow the proper steps and are adequately prepared. Below is a breakdown of how to get started.
Step 1: Register for CRA My Account
You must first register for a CRA My Account before using AFR. This is a secure online site for accessing personal tax information and services. You can register immediately through the CRA website. To activate your account, you must complete the entire registration process, including receiving a security code via mail to your home address.
Step 2: Use NETFILE-Certified Software
To use AFR, file your taxes using CRA-certified tax software that supports it. The majority of the leading tax platforms, including TurboTax, Wealthsimple Tax, and UFile, are NETFILE-compatible and support AFR. Make sure that the program you’re using supports the feature..
Step 3: Access AFR Through Your Tax Software
Once you’ve decided on your software, run it and begin your return. You’ll reach a point where the software allows you to fill in your refund automatically. You will be prompted to log into your CRA My Account using the software. Once you have granted access, the CRA will send the accessible data to the software immediately.
Step 4: Review and Import Your Tax Information
Once your data is retrieved, review each entry thoroughly. Check for missing slips, duplicate entries, and outdated information. Even though the data is obtained directly from the CRA, it is your responsibility to confirm that the return is correct before submitting it. If something is missing, you can enter it manually.
Step 5: Complete and File Your Tax Return
After reviewing and confirming all your imported data, complete any remaining sections of your return. This could involve claiming deductions, recording expenses, or checking credits. Once your return is completed, you can submit it electronically through the CRA’s NETFILE system. Remember to save a copy for your records..
5 Tips for a Smooth AFR Experience
Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) is one of the simplest ways to prepare your 2025 tax return—just like any technology tool, it’s best when you’re ready. These five tips will help you get the most out of AFR and avoid common issues during tax time.
1. Enroll in CRA My Account Early
AFR relies on your CRA My Account to access and import your tax information. If you’re not already registered, it’s best to do this well in advance of tax season. The registration process includes receiving a security code by mail, which can take up to 10 business days. Avoid last-minute stress by setting up your CRA My Account before slips are available.
2. Use Certified Tax Software that Supports AFR
Not all tax software supports AFR, so make sure you’re using a CRA-certified NETFILE product that includes the auto-fill feature. Popular platforms like TurboTax, Wealthsimple Tax, and UFile are reliable options. Using compatible software ensures a seamless connection to the CRA’s database and a smoother filing process.
3. Wait Until All Slips Are Available
It may be tempting to get your taxes done early, but haste can equal missing slips. Employers, banks, and other sources will not post all tax papers on the CRA immediately. Wait until the end of February or the beginning of March to get most of your tax data ready for download through AFR.
4. Double-Check Imported Information
Although AFR draws information directly from the CRA, it is still your responsibility to check and ensure everything is correct. Errors can occur, such as duplicate slips, missing entries, or outdated data. Always spend a few minutes reviewing what’s been imported and fill in any missing details manually before filing your return.
5. Be Aware of CRA Service Hours and Steer Clear of Busy Times
The AFR service has restricted hours of use, generally between early morning and late evening (Eastern Time). Using it at off-hours will result in errors or login failures. It’s also advisable to avoid rush times just before the tax deadline, when CRA systems are hectic. Look ahead and use AFR when traffic is slower for an optimal experience.
Conclusion
Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) is one of the CRA’s most helpful tools, designed to save you time, reduce errors, and make tax filing far less stressful. By securely importing your tax slips and financial data directly into your return, AFR takes the guesswork out of tax season and helps you file with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time filer or a seasoned taxpayer, using AFR in 2025 is a smart, simple step toward a smoother experience.
But even with innovative tools like AFR, taxes can still feel overwhelming, especially if your financial picture includes self-employment income, multiple investments, or unique deductions.
That’s where The Tax Man Canada comes in.
Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step, ensuring nothing gets missed and your return is filed accurately and on time. Whether you’re looking to file in person or online, we make the process easy, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
Ready to take the stress out of tax season? Book with The Tax Man Canada today and let us handle the numbers—so you don’t have to.
