When can I file my 2025 taxes in 2026? Your complete guide.

Whether you’re itching to file early, chasing a big refund, or just want to get your taxes over with, this guide breaks down every major date you need to know for filing your tax return in 2026.

At-a-glance: Key tax dates for 2026.

• February 9, 2026: Auto‑Fill My Return opens.

• February 23, 2026: CRA NETFILE & EFILE opens (earliest filing date).

• March 2, 2026: T4 slips due to employees.

• April 30, 2026: Tax filing deadline for most Canadians.

• June 15, 2026: Filing deadline for self‑employed Canadians.

When can I file taxes in 2026 in Canada?
The big moment arrives on February 23, 2026, when the CRA officially opens both NETFILE and EFILE, meaning this is the first day your tax return can be transmitted to the CRA electronically. 

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to wait until February 23 to visit an H&R Block office. Our Tax Experts can start preparing your return well before the filing systems open, gathering your slips, answering questions, and making sure everything is ready to go the second EFILE becomes available. The only thing we can’t do until February 23 is hit “send”.

So, whether you love being early, want to beat the rush, or just like having one less thing hanging over your head, you can come in anytime. We’ll prepare your return now and submit it as soon as the CRA opens the gates.

Why so late in February? The CRA spends the first few weeks of the year updating its systems. 

CRA NETFILE open date 2026: What you need to know.
If you plan on using tax software, like H&R Block’s award-winning platform, the NETFILE open date is February 23, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. ET. 

Once open, NETFILE runs 21 hours per day, 7 days a week (because even tax servers need a coffee break). 

You can read more about NETFILE on the Government of Canada website.

Auto Fill My Return 2026: Your shortcut to stress free filing.
If you’d love your return to magically populate itself, Auto Fill My Return is your new best friend.

The Auto Fill My Return service opens February 9, 2026. 

This CRA service lets you automatically import:

• T4s

• T5s

• RRSP contributions

• Tuition slips

• Other pre-verified CRA data

This means you can start your return even before all your paper slips arrive.

When do T4 slips come out in 2026?
This is the question that holds many Canadians back from early filing.

Your employer must issue your T4 slip by March 2, 2026.
This extended deadline applies because February 28 falls on a Saturday, kicking the due date to the next business day. 

If you haven't received your T4 by early March:

• Check your CRA My Account.

• Contact your employer.

• Use Auto Fill My Return (it may already be uploaded).

Tax filing deadline 2026.
For most Canadians, the tax filing deadline is April 30, 2026. This is also the deadline to pay any balance owing, even if you file later as a self-employed taxpayer. 

Additional deadlines:

• Self-employed filing deadline: June 15, 2026 (but payment is still due April 30).

• RRSP contribution deadline: March 2, 2026, for amounts you want to deduct on your 2025 return. If you’re looking to make the most of your contributions, you can dive deeper into contribution limits, rules, and the first 60 days in our in‑depth guide: RRSP deadline 2026: Contribution limits, rules, and the first 60 days explained.

Should you file early? Absolutely, here’s why.
Filing early isn’t just for the overachievers:

1. Faster refunds. The CRA aims to process returns in about 2 weeks, so the earlier you file, the earlier you get your refund. But if you’re the kind of person who hears “two weeks” and thinks “too long,” H&R Block has you covered. With Instant Refund®, you can get money right away – no waiting for the CRA.

2. Avoid benefit interruptions. Timely filing ensures uninterrupted payments like the Canada Child Benefit and Groceries & Essentials Benefit. 

3. It feels so good to check it off your to-do list. A clear head in April? Priceless.

Frequently asked questions.

Final thoughts: You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.
Tax season might not be your favourite season (we see you, summer lovers), but with the right tools and a little guidance, it’s smoother than you think. Whether you want to file early, or push it off until the last minute, H&R Block Tax Experts are here to help.