Revenu Québec is preparing to automatically file provincial income tax returns for at least 10,000 people beginning with the 2026 taxation year, a move aimed at helping low-income residents receive tax credits and other assistance they might otherwise miss.
The initiative was included in Québec’s 2026-2027 budget and is expected to focus on taxpayers whose financial situations are simple and stable over time.
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What Revenu Québec plans to do
Under the proposed system, Revenu Québec would use information already available to the agency to prepare and submit a tax return on behalf of selected individuals.
Unlike the existing simplified-return pilot, taxpayers covered by the new program would not have to take additional action for the return to be considered valid.
The government says the change is intended to make sure eligible people receive assistance such as the solidarity tax credit and work premium, even if they do not normally file a return.
Why filing a tax return matters
Quebec residents generally need to file an income tax return to establish eligibility for several provincial credits and income-tested programs.
That can be important even when a person has little or no taxable income.
According to the provincial budget documents, a low-income individual who files may qualify for at least $1,570 through the work premium and the Quebec sales tax component of the solidarity tax credit, depending on their circumstances.
The government estimates that between 3% and 5% of the population does not file a Quebec income tax return.
Those who do not file may lose access to benefits or credits that are calculated using income information from the return.
How the current simplified-return pilot works
Revenu Québec has operated a simplified income tax return pilot since the 2023 taxation year.
In that program, the agency prepares a partially completed return and sends it to eligible residents.
The recipient must answer questions about their situation and complete the process before the return can be accepted.
If the person does nothing, the pre-filled return is not treated as a valid filing and tax assistance is not issued through that process.
The pilot has included people receiving last-resort financial assistance or Basic Income Program benefits, young adults aged 18 to 30 with incomes below $61,500, and other low-income residents with straightforward tax situations.
Students were added to the pilot for the 2025 taxation year, with Revenu Québec planning to invite a total of 335,000 people to use the service during spring 2026.
The budget says usage doubled between the 2023 and 2024 taxation years, while reported user satisfaction reached 96%.
Who will qualify for automatic filing
The government has not yet published the final eligibility rules for automatic filing.
Those criteria, along with the procedures for selecting taxpayers and submitting returns, are expected to be established by spring 2027.
The budget describes the initial group as people with simple and stable tax situations, but it does not provide a complete list of income sources, family circumstances or program requirements.
Legislative amendments will also be required before Revenu Québec can file a return on an individual’s behalf.
What taxpayers should do now
Quebec residents should continue filing their tax returns as usual unless Revenu Québec provides specific instructions stating that they have been selected for automatic filing.
People who rely on the solidarity tax credit, work premium or other income-tested assistance should not assume that the future program will apply to them automatically.
Taxpayers who have not filed for a previous year may also need to address that gap separately, since the new initiative is being developed for selected individuals and is not a general replacement for personal tax filing.
Residents can continue using Revenu Québec’s existing online services and simplified-return options where they are eligible.
What happens next
The next major step is the development of the eligibility criteria and operating rules by spring 2027.
The government also says it will work to increase the information available to Revenu Québec, which could allow the agency to expand the number of people covered in the future.
For now, the confirmed target is at least 10,000 automatically filed returns beginning with the 2026 taxation year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Revenu Québec planning to change?
Revenu Québec plans to automatically file provincial income tax returns for at least 10,000 selected individuals beginning with the 2026 taxation year.
Will everyone in Quebec qualify for automatic tax filing?
No. The initial program is expected to target people with simple and stable tax situations, and the final eligibility rules have not yet been released.
Why would someone file a tax return with little or no income?
A return may be needed to qualify for assistance such as the Quebec solidarity tax credit and work premium.
Is the automatic system already available?
No. The government still needs to establish eligibility rules and make legislative changes, with procedures expected by spring 2027.
Do Quebec residents still need to file their own returns?
Yes. Residents should continue filing normally unless Revenu Québec directly confirms that they are covered by the automatic-filing program.
Fact-Checked: Key figures, dates and program details were checked against Québec’s 2026-2027 budget documents and Revenu Québec’s published information.
Disclaimer: Eligibility for automatic filing has not yet been finalized, so taxpayers should rely on direct instructions from Revenu Québec before changing how they file.