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Glossary of NETFILE terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Access code
Your access code is a four-digit number printed on the label sheet included in your income tax package. This access code can be used as a telephone access code if you have been invited to use the TELEFILE service. It can also be used as your Internet access code if you decide to use the NETFILE service.Address changes online
You can change your home address, your mailing address, and your phone numbers through the My Account service.Authentication
Authentication protects information by verifying the identity of the parties on both ends of the Internet connection before confidential information is exchanged. Your access code, date of birth, and social insurance number are identified at the time of log-in. Throughout a session, extensive measures maintain security. In addition, server authentication ensures that you are communicating directly with the CRA, and not with an unauthorized party.Bookmark
In a Web browser, a bookmark is a way to save the current link so that you won't have to type in the complete address the next time you want to visit the same Web site.Browser
A browser is software that enables users to "browse" the World Wide Web. Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Netscape are some of the most well-known browsers.Cache
The cache on your computer stores information where it can be accessed quickly. Your Web browser stores pages, sounds, URLs, and images in caches where they can be easily retrieved. As the user "backs" through the links, the pages are retrieved quickly, saving the time of a reload.Certified NETFILE software
The CRA tests and certifies tax preparation software packages for use with the NETFILE service. A list of certified software is available on the Software web page. NETFILE-certified software is to be used by individuals to file their individual returns, not by professionals to file returns for others.Confirmation number
This is a five- or six-digit number that we send to you electronically after your tax return is received for processing by the CRA. You should keep this number with your tax records and receipts.Cookie
A "cookie" is a small information file that is transferred from a Web server to your Web browser to be stored and accessed on your computer. There are several types of cookies and they are used for many reasons depending on the Web site that you are visiting. One of the most common reasons for a Web site to send you cookies is to remember your identity and your preferences for certain kinds of information. Only the Web site that sends you cookies is able to read them.Direct deposit
Direct deposit is an automated payment method that allows the CRA to deposit your tax refund directly into your bank account. Please note that for security reasons, you are not able to update or change your direct deposit information through the NETFILE service.Download
This is when you copy a file from another system to your personal computer. There are several different methods, or protocols, for downloading files, most of which periodically check the file as it is being copied to ensure that no information is inadvertently destroyed or damaged during the process.EFILE
EFILE is one way to electronically send us your tax return, using the services of any approved EFILE service provider. Approved service providers may identify themselves by displaying the EFILE symbol.EFILE service provider
More than 12,000 tax professionals, including accountants and tax preparers, are approved electronic filers and offer EFILE to their clients. They may identify themselves by displaying the EFILE symbol.Electronic commerce
Broadly, electronic commerce (e-commerce) includes the delivery of information, products, services, or payments by telephone, computer, or other automated media. More narrowly, it is business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions conducted over computer networks, whether public (such as over the Internet) or private.Electronic signature
Your electronic signature for NETFILE is made up of your three pieces of identification—your social insurance number, your date of birth, and your access code.Encryption
Encryption is used to ensure that an unauthorized party will not access your personal information. Data you send from your personal computer is encrypted before leaving your computer. Encryption alters your data into a format that can be safely transmitted over the Internet. Once the data has been encrypted, it cannot be read until it reaches its destination and is decrypted, using an encryption key.Encryption is the process of scrambling data into an unreadable format that is more secure for transmission over the Internet. Very similar to secret code, encryption takes your data and uses complex mathematical equations called algorithms to scramble the information into an unreadable format called ciphertext. The ciphertext is impossible to read without having a key to unscramble the information to its original form.
Information is scrambled or encrypted at the client side (your browser) and then unscrambled or decrypted at the server side (the CRA). The encryption we use during online sessions to transmit your data is based on the highest level of security currently available in North America, to prevent the risk of the information being intercepted and read by a third party.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions and answers to those questions.Firewall
A firewall acts as a barrier between internal and external computers in a network, controlling the flow of information between the two. When a computer outside the firewall wishes to communicate with a computer inside, it must communicate with the firewall, which then passes the data to the internal computer. This two-step process protects the CRA's internal network from unauthorized access.Internet banking
We have provided a list of the financial institutions which have agreed to participate in the NETFILE service. Just find your financial institution in the list provided and you can link to its home page. To make sure your payment is processed to your income tax account correctly, choose the option to make a payment for your tax return on your financial institution's Web site.If your financial institution is not listed, you may not be able to make an Internet payment to us this year. However, you can make your payment either by mail using the remittance form included in your tax package, or free of charge at your financial institution. Enter your amount on the remittance form, and take this form with you to your financial institution when you make your payment. You may also be able to use telephone banking services offered by some financial institutions.
Modem
A combined form of "modulator-demodulator," a modem is a device that allows computers to transmit data over telephone lines.MTU
Maximum Transmission Unit. The greatest amount of data or "packet" size that can be transferred in one physical frame on a network.My Account
View your personal income tax and benefit information, and manage your tax affairs online: change your return, change your address or telephone number, or formally dispute your assessment or determination.NETFILE
Allows you to send your personal income tax and benefit return to us over the Internet.Notice of Assessment
The Notice of Assessment is a form sent to you through the mail that shows that your tax return has been processed by the CRA. This notice confirms the figures represented on your tax return and states the amount of your refund or the amount owing to the Receiver General.PKI
An acronym for Public Key Infrastructure - This involves certificates being held by each party transmitting over the Internet. PKI is not required for NETFILE.Receipts
Receipts includes any receipts and information slips you used to prepare your electronic return. While it is not necessary to send these receipts to us, you are required to keep them for six years.We routinely review claims and deductions made on tax returns. We can review most paper returns by checking the documents attached to them. To verify electronic returns, we may need to contact taxfilers to retrieve and verify supporting documents.
Restrictions
There are some restrictions that apply to the electronic filing of tax returns. For a complete list please see the NETFILE Restrictions Web page.Router
An electronic device that connects two or more networks and routes incoming data packets to the appropriate network.SSL
Secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol was developed by Netscape Communications Corporation to provide a high level of security for Internet communications. SSL provides an encrypted communications session between your Web browser and a Web server. When sensitive information is being sent over the Internet between your browser and a Web server, SSL verifies that the information has not been altered in any way en route. All major browsers released in recent years support SSL.Software developers
Software developers are commercial private sector companies that produce tax preparation software for completing your tax return electronically. You can verify which products are certified for NETFILE use by checking our Software Web page.Specified file format
The NETFILE system has been developed to accept a specific type of file format that integrates with our mainframe computers. This file format is known as ".tax." However, it is a form of an EDI file with certain specifications, which are then read by our computers. It is not possible to just change the extension name of your electronic tax return to this ".tax;" it must actually be saved in that format by your NETFILE-certified software product.Supporting documents
All your information slips (such as Forms T4, T4A, and T5) and your receipts used to prepare your tax return are referred to as supporting documents. You should keep all your information slips and receipts for six years.T1
In Internet terms, a T1 is an Internet backbone line that carries up to 1.544 million bits per second (1.536 Mbps).In terms of NETFILE, the T1 is the form number for the personal income tax return form.
.tax
The NETFILE system has been developed to accept a specific type of file format that integrates with our mainframe computers. This file format is known as ".tax." However, it is a form of an EDI file with certain specifications, which are then read by our computers. It is not possible to just change the extension name of your electronic tax return to ".tax;" it must actually be saved in that format by your NETFILE-certified software product.Tax centres
Tax centres are the physical locations where tax returns are processed. The locations of the seven centres can be found in Contact us.Tax preparation software
This is software or a Web application that includes a tax calculation engine and that has been developed using certain specifications which will allow your tax return to be saved in a format that the NETFILE servers can read and process.Tax professional
A tax professional is a person or firm that prepares tax returns for remuneration. More than 12,000 tax professionals, including accountants and tax preparers, are approved electronic filers and offer EFILE to their clients. They may identify themselves by displaying the EFILE symbol.Tax services offices
Tax services offices are the offices where you can get help with any of your income tax questions. Offices are located throughout Canada and a list of their locations can be found in Contact us.TELEFILE
TELEFILE is another electronic way to file your tax return. If you qualify, all you need is a push-button telephone with touch-tone service to file your return.Third party transmitters
Third party transmitters is another term that is used for "EFILE" and "Tax Preparation" parties. For more information about this aspect of electronic filing, please refer to our EFILE Web site.Transmission Web page
The NETFILE transmission Web page is where you enter your three pieces of identification and attach your electronic tax return file. This is the area of the Web site that interacts with the NETFILE servers using 128-bit SSL encryption.Upload
To upload is to copy a file from your computer (called the remote computer) to a host system.URL
The URL, or the universal resource locator, is an address on the World Wide Web. It consists of the protocol to use, followed by the characters "://" and then points to the Internet address of the desired host. For example, http://www.netfile.gc.ca references a World Wide Web page, and would require a browser like Mosaic, Internet Explorer or Netscape to read the information. |
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Date modified: 2006-11-09 |
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