What the official update changed
CRA's 11 December 2025 update was more than a reminder to try filing online. The agency said it would no longer proactively mail the income tax package to individuals and that a series of low-usage federal and related provincial schedules had been removed from the standard package. Paper filers were told they could start ordering, viewing, downloading or printing what they needed from January 20, 2026.
Why this matters in practical filing season terms
For digital filers, this is mostly background noise. For paper filers, it is a change in behaviour. The filing process now starts earlier because the taxpayer has to make sure the right package and the right schedules are actually in hand before return assembly begins. The old assumption that the complete filing pack would simply arrive in the mail is no longer safe.
Who is most exposed to this change
Older taxpayers, occasional paper filers and advisers supporting clients who still like paper workflows should treat this as a real operational change. CRA is not banning paper filing, but it is shifting more of the retrieval burden back onto the taxpayer. That means a filing method many people considered passive has become something that now requires deliberate preparation.
Educational content only
Commentary reflects the state of the law as of December 11, 2025. Tax rules change and your facts matter — confirm anything important with a qualified professional or the cited official source before acting.