Compliance
Compliance Guide: Automatic Federal Benefits & Pre-Filled Returns for Low-Income Canadians
Canada’s Budget 2025 proposes major compliance changes—CRA may soon file tax returns for eligible low-income individuals. Here’s what you need to know.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • November 17, 2025
## What Are Automatic Federal Benefits & Pre-Filled Returns?
Budget 2025 proposes a system where the **Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)** would have the authority to **file tax returns on behalf of eligible low-income individuals** (not trusts), to ensure that they receive benefits like the **GST/HST Credit**, **Canada Child Benefit**, **Canada Workers Benefit**, and **Canada Disability Benefit**—even if they don’t file tax returns themselves. ([budget.canada.ca](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2025/report-rapport/chap3-en.html?utm_source=openai))
This measure would apply starting for the **2025 taxation year** (filing in 2026), with benefits beginning for the **2026 tax year**, reaching up to **5.5 million** low-income Canadians by 2028. ([budget.canada.ca](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2025/report-rapport/chap3-en.html?utm_source=openai))
## Who Is Eligible?
Individuals qualify for CRA-filed returns if all of the following are met:
- Their **taxable income** is less than the federal basic personal amount (plus age/disability amounts where applicable).
- All their income comes from sources for which information returns have already been filed with CRA.
- They haven’t filed a return in the past year despite eligibility, or haven’t filed in the preceding three years.
- They haven’t filed for the current taxation year by 90 days after the filing deadline.
- Other criteria as determined by the Minister of National Revenue. ([budget.canada.ca](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2025/report-rapport/tm-mf-en.html?utm_source=openai))
The CRA must send the individual a **review-and-confirm draft return**. If no changes are made within **90 days**, the CRA could file it. The individual can opt out. ([budget.canada.ca](https://www.budget.canada.ca/2025/report-rapport/tm-mf-en.html?utm_source=openai))
## Compliance Considerations & Action Items
### For Low-Income Individuals
- **Track filing history**: If you’ve not filed when required, you could be eligible. But make sure you haven’t overlooked deadlines or benefits.
- **Check source income records**: Make sure employer, bank, or other payers send their source income reports to CRA. Without that, CRA may lack data to auto-file.
- **Review pre-filled drafts** carefully—CRA provides draft info, but you still may need to correct omissions or errors.
### For Tax Professionals & Advisors
- Educate clients about rights to opt-out.
- Assist clients in gathering documentation (income statements, receipts) even if they don’t usually file.
- Monitor how CRA implements the program—watch for guidance, forms, and penalty/appeal processes.
### Administrative Impacts
- CRA will need new processes for contacting individuals, tracking non-filers, and dealing with incomplete info.
- Individuals must expect notices of assessment, benefit entitlement with or without traditional filing.
## Practical Example
*Alex is 60 years old, had no employment income in 2025 but earned some modest investment income and receives the Disability Tax Credit. He didn’t file a tax return last year because he thought nothing was owed. Under the new rules, CRA will send Alex a pre-filled return with all info they have (investment income, age/disability amounts). If Alex doesn’t respond within 90 days, CRA files on his behalf, and he gets his GST credit and Canada Disability Benefit.*
## Key Takeaways for Compliance
- Keep records even if you didn’t think you need to file.
- Opting out is an option—but if you are eligible, auto-filing may help you receive benefits sooner.
- Stay alert for CRA notices and confirm your information is correct.
- Legal appeal rights remain—even for CRA-filed returns.
This measure aims to close the gap where benefits are missed because people don’t file—but making it work requires both CRA integrity and taxpayer engagement.