CRA Service Outage Summer 2025: How Calgary Taxpayers Can Prepare

Heads up, Calgary – the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a significant service interruption in late summer 2025 that will impact many online tax services. This planned CRA outage is scheduled for the end of August as part of a major systems upgrade. In this blog post, we’ll explain what’s happening, who will be affected, why it matters for individuals and businesses in Calgary, and how you can prepare so you’re not caught off guard. We’ll also share how Sahil & Mehar Accountants and Consultants can assist you during the downtime.

Why Is the CRA Going Offline?

The CRA’s systems are undergoing a major back-end upgrade. The service interruption is happening because the CRA is moving its core IT infrastructure to new, modern data centres managed by Shared Services Canada (SSC). This government-led data centre migration is aimed at improving the security and reliability of Canada’s tax systems. In fact, outdated servers and data centres have been identified as a risk that could lead to severe service breakdowns if not addressed – a scenario the CRA wants to prevent with this proactive move.

By consolidating and modernizing its data centers, the CRA (with SSC’s help) is looking to ensure more stable online services for taxpayers. Shared Services Canada is the federal agency in charge of IT infrastructure across government, and it’s leading this project to migrate CRA’s applications to newer facilities. The payoff should be a more robust system in the long run – but it requires some downtime to get there.

When Will the CRA Services Be Unavailable?

The planned outage window for CRA’s online services is as follows: Start: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, August 29, 2025; End: 6:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. For those of us in Alberta, that means roughly 6:00 p.m. Friday (Aug 29) to 4:00 a.m. Tuesday (Sept 2), Calgary time. Notably, this period coincides with the Labour Day long weekend, when many offices are closed, which may minimize disruptions on the business side.

Important: The CRA has cautioned that there’s a possibility the outage may extend to Wednesday, September 3, 2025, if the migration runs into delays. While they’ll aim to stick to the schedule, taxpayers should be prepared for a potential extension of the downtime into that Wednesday. We recommend keeping an eye on CRA updates in case the timeline changes.

Which Services Will Be Affected?

During the migration outage, a wide range of CRA electronic services will be temporarily unavailable. In other words, anything that involves online access to CRA tax filing systems or data will not work during the window. According to the CRA’s notice, the affected services include:

• EFILE for Individuals (T1) – The electronic filing system used by tax preparers for personal tax returns.

• Corporation Internet Filing (T2) – Online filing for corporate income tax returns.

• EFILE for Trusts (T3) – Electronic filing for trust income tax returns.

• Auto-Fill My Return (AFR) – The CRA’s service that automatically fills in parts of your tax return via your tax software.

• Client Data Enquiry – Online access to client tax data used by authorized representatives (e.g. accountants).

• Foreign reporting web services – Systems for submitting forms like T1134/T1135 (foreign income/asset reports) electronically.

• Notice of Assessment via tax software – The ability for tax software to fetch your Notice of Assessment immediately after filing.

• AgriStability/AgriInvest forms submission – Online submission services for farm program forms.

• ReFILE service – The service to adjust or refile a previously filed return electronically.

• CRA email notifications – Email alerts sent out by CRA’s system (these will be paused during the outage).

• T1 and T2 Special Elections and Returns web services – Online submission for certain special tax elections/returns for individuals and corporations.

In plain terms, virtually all CRA electronic services will be down during the migration. If you try to use any of the above, you’ll likely get an error or find the service inaccessible.

Likely also offline: The CRA login portals for taxpayers and representatives. Although not explicitly listed in the notice, historically, My Account, My Business Account, and Represent a Client go offline during maintenance periods. So if you attempt to sign in to your CRA account over that weekend, the login service will probably be unavailable as well. In short, assume that any online interaction with the CRA will have to wait until after the outage window.

Who Will Be Affected by the Outage?

The planned CRA service interruption is a national event, so it affects users across Canada – but let’s break down what it means specifically for folks here in Calgary. Essentially, anyone who relies on CRA online services will feel the impact during those days. Here’s a closer look at how it could affect different groups and why it matters:

Individual Taxpayers

For individual filers in Calgary, the outage means you won’t be able to access CRA online accounts or services for a few days. If you like to log into My Account to check your refund status, retrieve a Notice of Assessment, or access benefit information, you’ll be out of luck until the systems are back up. Those trying to use NETFILE or online tax software to submit a late tax return or adjustment will have to pause during the downtime.

The timing in late August is generally after tax season, so most individuals won’t be in the middle of filing annual returns. However, it’s not uncommon for people to need CRA services year-round – for example, updating your direct deposit info, applying for benefits, or downloading tax slips. If you were planning any of these tasks around the end of August, be aware that you’ll need to do them before or after the outage dates. Additionally, any email notifications you normally receive from CRA (for instance, alerts that you have new mail in My Account) will be suspended during the migration, so don’t expect those updates in that period. The key for individuals is to plan around those few days to avoid frustration – we’ll outline how in the preparation section below.

Businesses and Tax Professionals

Calgary businesses and accounting professionals will need to pay special attention to this outage. Many small businesses rely on CRA’s online services for GST/HST filings, payroll remittances, corporate tax returns, and more. If you’re a business owner using My Business Account or the Corporation Internet Filing system, note that you won’t be able to file returns or make online payments during the downtime.

Consider any deadlines that might fall around that time. For instance, monthly GST/HST filings or payroll source remittances that are normally due at the end of the month could be impacted. In 2025, August 31 falls on a weekend (with Labour Day on Sept 1), meaning some deadlines will effectively move to Sept 2. If CRA’s systems are only coming back online that morning, you’ll have a very short window to get things in – and if the outage were to extend into Sept 3, it could theoretically bump into those due dates. It’s wise not to cut it that close. Calgary businesses might want to file any end-of-August tax obligations early (by Aug 28 or 29) to be safe, rather than waiting until the last minute. The CRA itself is urging all stakeholders to complete critical transactions before the scheduled downtime, where possible, to avoid any complications.

Tax professionals (like accountants and bookkeepers) will also adjust their workflows. As a Calgary accounting firm, we at Sahil & Mehar Accountants and Consultants are already marking our calendars. We’ll make sure all client filings that could be affected are submitted ahead of the outage, and we’ll be ready to handle the pent-up demand right after systems come back online. If you use an accountant or tax consultant, it’s a good idea to confirm they’re aware of the outage (most are) and have a plan. In our case, we’re proactively informing our clients and adjusting any late-summer filing schedules.

Bottom line: virtually everyone using CRA’s online services – from a self-employed individual downloading a form to a corporation filing a return – will experience a brief inconvenience. Knowing about the outage in advance means you can arrange your affairs so that it ends up being no more than a minor blip. Next, we’ll go through some practical steps to make sure you’re prepared.

How to Prepare for the CRA Service Interruption

A little planning now can save a lot of hassle during the CRA outage. Here are some practical steps to ensure you’re ready and your tax matters stay on track:

Mark the dates and plan around them

Highlight August 29 – Sept 3, 2025, on your calendar as a period when CRA online access will be down. Simply being aware of the downtime is step one. Make sure others who might access CRA services (your spouse, business partner, bookkeeper, etc.) also know about the outage. Consider printing or saving any information you might need from CRA systems in advance, since you won’t be able to retrieve it online during the interruption.

Complete urgent filings or payments before the outage

If you have any tax filings, returns, or payments that are due around the end of August or very early September, aim to submit them before August 29. This includes things like payroll source deductions, GST/HST returns, or corporate tax returns that might ordinarily be due around that time. The CRA has encouraged stakeholders to finish critical transactions in advance of the migration. For example, if your small business’s GST return is due on September 2, consider filing it by August 28 or 29 instead of waiting. Better to be early than to risk a late filing because the system was inaccessible.

Don’t try to use CRA online services during the downtime

This may sound obvious, but it’s worth stating: during the outage window, refrain from attempting to log in or transmit anything to the CRA. Services like EFILE, NETFILE, My Account, and online payment portals will not work, and you’ll just get error messages or be unable to connect. Save yourself the frustration and wait until the CRA officially announces systems are back up (by 6:00 a.m. ET on Sept 2, if all goes to plan). If you absolutely must send documentation to the CRA urgently in that period, be prepared to use fax or wait on hold by phone – but even CRA phone agents may have limited access to info while systems are down.

Download any needed documents ahead of time

Think about whether there are any CRA documents or info you might need over that long weekend. For instance, do you anticipate needing a copy of last year’s Notice of Assessment for a loan application? Or maybe you’ll want to reference your CRA My Account for benefit or RRSP contribution information? If so, log in and retrieve those documents before Aug 29. Save or print them so that you have what you need while the CRA site is offline. This way, the outage won’t slow you down on important tasks.

Pause non-urgent CRA tasks until after the outage

If something can wait, let it wait. Planning to update your address or set up direct deposit on your CRA profile? Thinking of applying for a Canada Revenue Agency program or sending an inquiry? Unless it’s time-sensitive, schedule it for later in September. The first couple of days after the outage might be busy (as everyone catches up on queued tasks), but by the second week of September, things should be back to normal. Spreading out the workload will also help CRA’s systems handle the post-migration surge more smoothly.

Stay informed for any changes

As mentioned, there is a slim chance the outage could extend to Sept 3. Keep tabs on official CRA communications – for example, check the CRA website or their Twitter account for any updates over the Labour Day weekend. If the maintenance ends early or runs late, the CRA will likely announce it. We will also be monitoring the situation closely on behalf of our clients. If you’re working with us, rest assured, we’ll let you know of any important updates.

Consult a professional if you’re unsure

If you’re not certain how this outage might impact your specific situation, or you have a deadline that you’re worried about, don’t hesitate to reach out for advice. Speaking with a Calgary tax consultant (like our team here at Sahil & Mehar Accountants and Consultants) can give you clarity and peace of mind. We can help you adjust your plans, ensure all filings are handled on time, and suggest alternatives if needed. Sometimes a quick phone call or email exchange is all it takes to make sure you’re covered.

By following the above steps, you can largely neutralize the impact of the CRA service interruption. Now, let’s talk about how our firm can assist you during this period and why having a professional in your corner can be especially helpful when unexpected downtime hits.

Sahil & Mehar: Here to Help Calgary Through the CRA Outage

At Sahil & Mehar Accountants and Consultants, we pride ourselves on being a professional yet approachable Calgary accounting firm. That means during events like this CRA outage, we’re here to support you and take the stress off your shoulders. Just because the CRA’s systems are offline for a few days doesn’t mean your financial responsibilities pause – and that’s where we come in.

How we can assist: Our team can help you plan around the outage so that your tax compliance stays on track. For example, if you’re a business owner worried about meeting a corporate tax deadline during the downtime, our CPAs will work with you to file early or explore an alternative solution. (In fact, our Calgary corporate tax services team is already coordinating with clients on August year-end filings to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.) If you’re an individual who was going to submit a late tax return or needed information from CRA, we can help gather the necessary info beforehand and prepare everything for submission once the systems are back. Essentially, we act as a bridge between you and the CRA – before, during, and after the outage.

We also stay up-to-date on CRA announcements. If anything changes (say the outage ends earlier than expected, or gets extended), we will know and can adjust our approach immediately. Our clients won’t have to constantly check the CRA site – we do that for you. Additionally, if you have questions during the downtime (“Can I somehow get this form in on time?” or “What happens if I miss a payment because of this?”). You can call or email us for guidance. Even if CRA’s own support is harder to reach over that weekend, our Calgary tax consultants are available to provide personalized advice.

Most importantly, we want you to feel confident and calm despite this temporary disruption. We’ve guided many clients through CRA maintenance events and technical issues in the past. The key is communication and timing – and we excel at both. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will remind you of upcoming needs, handle the technical details, and keep things running smoothly so you can focus on your life or business.

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Contact Us Now

If you’re concerned about how the CRA service interruption might affect you, or you simply want expert help to make sure everything is handled properly, don’t hesitate to reach out. We encourage you to contact our Calgary accounting firm for one-on-one support. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer with a specific question or a business owner looking for guidance, we’re happy to assist. You can contact us here to discuss your situation or schedule a consultation.

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In summary, the late-summer CRA outage is a temporary inconvenience, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be a big deal. By knowing the dates, understanding the impact, and taking proactive steps (with a little help from your friendly local accountants!), you can sail through the CRA service interruption with minimal disruption. And when the CRA’s systems come back online, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

Feel free to reach out to Sahil & Mehar Accountants and Consultants anytime for personalized tax support before, during, or after this outage. We’re here to help Calgary individuals and businesses navigate all the twists and turns of the tax world – planned and unplanned. Good planning and professional advice will ensure this CRA migration is nothing more than a footnote in your financial year.

Stay prepared, and we’ve got your back! Here’s to a smooth transition through the CRA service interruption – and to the promise of better, more reliable CRA services for us all once the dust settles. If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us and let’s chat about how we can assist. Happy end-of-summer, and we’ll keep you updated on the other side of Labour Day!