One of the most common words on people’s minds at the start of a new year is tax. For some, it’s eagerly anticipated. For others, it’s dreaded. Tax season rarely feels new, but every year there are a few updates that are important to be aware of, especially to avoid being caught by surprise.
Here’s what to expect before filing, during filing, and after you file.
When the 2026 Tax Season Officially Begins
February 23, 2026 - This is the official opening date for both NETFILE (for individuals) and EFILE (used by tax professionals). Returns can be prepared before this date, but they cannot be successfully filed until then.
Key deadlines to keep in mind
March 2, 2026
Deadline to contribute to your RRSP for the 2025 tax year. Contributions made between March 1, 2025, and March 2, 2026, can be deducted during the 2026 tax season.April 30, 2026
Deadline to pay any tax owing for all individuals, including self-employed individuals.June 15, 2026
Filing deadline for self-employed individuals. Note that any balance owing is still due by April 30, 2026.
What to Expect With Tax Slips This Year
Last year, missing and late slips caused real frustration for many taxpayers. The Auto-fill My Return (AFR) feature used by tax preparers was unable to pull slips into tax software because they were not yet available on taxpayers’ CRA profiles. As a result, many returns could not be filed early, and when they were eventually filed, assessments and refunds were often delayed.
In addition, some returns that were filed using available information were later reassessed because they were submitted with incomplete slip data.
The CRA has indicated that improvements have been made for the 2026 tax season, including earlier access to slips through the AFR feature. That said, delays can still occur, particularly where employers or financial institutions submit information late.
For some taxpayers, especially those with multiple income sources or several employers during the year, filing too early may not always be the best approach. In such cases, waiting until all slips are available can help reduce the risk of reassessments.
How to Prepare for the 2026 Tax Season
As with most things, failing to prepare often leads to disappointing outcomes. Preparing for tax season does not need to be overwhelming. It simply means understanding what needs to be done and doing it properly, which significantly reduces surprises.
Before filing opens, the following steps can help:
Confirm your personal information with the CRA.
If you log in only once a year, or rarely at all, access can be challenging due to the CRA’s security and verification processes. Starting early helps avoid last-minute delays.Check prior-year assessments.
Ensure your previous returns were successfully assessed and that no reassessments or requests for information are still outstanding. Ideally, this should be done well before tax season, but it is still worthwhile if it hasn’t been addressed yet.Gather your documents.
This includes income slips (T4, T4A, T5, etc.) and expense receipts such as donations or eligible home expenses. While income slips may not yet be available, as employers typically have until late February to issue them, you can still organize documents you already have control over.Review whether anything needs to change from prior years.
If you filed your return yourself and felt uncertain about the outcome, this may be a good time to consider professional assistance. If you plan to file on your own again, take time to understand what should be done differently.
Many tax surprises do not happen because filing is complex. They happen because key details were overlooked.
After You File: What Actually Happens
Refund Timelines
Once a return is filed, an Express Notice of Assessment is often issued almost immediately. The official Notice of Assessment is typically sent once the return is fully processed, with refunds generally issued within two weeks of filing.
However, some returns are selected for pre-assessment review. This means the CRA requires additional information before completing the assessment. When this happens, refund timelines can extend from weeks to several months.
Common reasons for pre-assessment reviews include:
late or amended slips
CRA matching programs
benefit recalculations
verification reviews
These situations can be frustrating, especially if plans were made around an expected refund. This is another reason why being prepared and filing accurately matters.
Post-Assessment Reviews
A post-assessment review occurs after a Notice of Assessment has been issued and, in some cases, after a refund has already been received. These reviews often happen weeks or months after the April 30 deadline.
This process is normal and does not imply wrongdoing. The CRA conducts post-assessment reviews each year on selected returns.
It is important to respond promptly to any review letter received. Delayed responses can result in unnecessary penalties or interest on the item under review.
The Value of Knowing What to Expect
The real benefit of preparing for tax season is not avoiding mistakes or filing early. It is understanding the process well enough to know what is normal and what is not.
When you know the timelines, the filing windows, and what happens after you submit a return, tax season becomes predictable. That predictability allows you to plan better, make informed decisions, and approach filing with confidence rather than uncertainty.
Preparation does not change the rules. It changes how you experience them.