June 5, 2023
First introduced by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2017, Autofill My Return (AFR) is a great innovation. We use it all the time.
Starting with the 2023 tax season, anyone who is using Efile must now also register for the “Represent a Client” service (RepID) which is key for using AFR. So, unless a volunteer is only filing returns by paper, they are automatically eligible to use AFR.
But when we speak with other volunteers about AFR, we are struck by the large number, many of them quite experienced, who continue not to use it. (The CVITP end-of-season survey results for 2022 corroborates this picture of low usage: only 35% of survey respondents confirmed that they made use of AFR.)
When we ask why they don’t use it, two of the most common complaints we hear are that it is too complicated and that it takes too much time to use.
AFR takes a bit of time to learn. However, once a volunteer has used it a few times, it becomes quite straightforward.[i] Most importantly, it allows the volunteer to import the client’s T slips from the CRA database automatically into the software.
But once a volunteer is comfortable using AFR, they will see that the benefits of using AFR extend well beyond just importing T slip information into the client’s return. Below we list nine reasons why we think every volunteer should learn how to use AFR.
1When a client does not have one or more their T slips on hand, AFR ensures the volunteer captures all of the T slips. (The client may not have received the T slip, they may have lost it or again, they have forgotten about one [or more] source of income.)
2AFR avoids errors in data entry due to volunteer inattention.
3AFR ensures faster data entry, especially as the number of T slips for a client gets larger.
4AFR allows the volunteer to see which, if any prior years the client has not filed. This is useful for the client to know. It is especially useful for the host organization to know if it is committed to helping its clients get caught up with any unfiled prior years (and capture the many unclaimed benefits these usually generate for the client).
5When a client has one or more prior year returns to be prepared, AFR allows the volunteer to import the client’s T slips as far back as the 2017 return. (The CRA allows clients to file returns and claim the associated benefits for the last ten years. By 2026, it will mean the volunteer will be able to prepare the returns for all 10 years without resorting to other, more time-consuming means to get the T slip information for prior years.)
6AFR confirms whether or not the client’s CRA account is set up to deposit funds directly into the client’s bank account. We generally promote direct deposit for clients who already have bank accounts as it is a more secure method of getting benefits into clients’ hands than mailing cheques.
7AFR confirms whether or not the client has set up access to their CRA account online and whether or not the CRA has an email address for the client. Where the client already has this set up and wishes to use the email option, the volunteer can reconfirm the client’s email address in the Ufile software.
8AFR confirms whether or not the client has already filed their return for the current year as well. This is useful where the client cannot remember if they filed their return or if the client has shared their intake form information with other CVITP clinics in order to ensure their return gets filed in a timely manner. Although one cannot see this information on the AFR page, once AFR has imported the T slips into the Ufile software one can see this information in TAB 4 on the Income Tax and Benefit Return page entitled “AFR – Client Information”. If a volunteer sees that the client’s return for the current tax year has already been filed, they can save time on by avoiding any further work on completing the return for filing.
9For host organizations running drop-off clinics (where the client provides the host organization with intake information for the volunteer preparing their return), AFR substantially reduces the amount of paper physically exchanged between the host organization and the volunteer. This eliminates the risk of losing the client’s T slips. (Some host organizations scan the client intake form, password protect the electronic version and email it to the volunteer, thereby eliminating any physical exchange of documentation.)
Convinced of the benefits of AFR? If you prepare tax and benefit returns as a volunteer, let us know if there are any other reasons you think we’ve missed. If you are clinic coordinator in a CVITP host organization, tell us how you train your new volunteers in the use of AFR.
Still not convinced? If you are a volunteer, let us know why. If you are a clinic coordinator, tell us how you think your organization can provide clients a satisfactory CVITP service without using this tool.
Either way, we’d love to hear your thoughts: just use the “Comments” function at the bottom of the page.
[i] The 2017 version of the Ufile software (when AFR was first introduced) is materially different from other years and reflects first-year design problems. (The EFILE page only appears after the Interview setup: After indicating that you will be filing a Federal Authorization Form [T1013] to use AFR, the next page takes you directly into filling out T slips. At the same time, the software introduces a new option – before the Interview setup – which allows you to proceed with AFR. Unless you know this, you could be searching for AFR for a while. This was corrected in subsequent versions of the Ufile software in that, once you indicate you want to use AFR, you are provided with clear instructions as to what to do next.) If you have a client who needs their 2017 return prepared and you are less familiar with AFR, we suggest doing the more recent years before working out how to handle the 2017 return using AFR.