The most recent Canada Post strike commenced on September 25, 2025. Shortly after, CRA provided an update on the impact, including the following guidance:

• taxpayers are still responsible for meeting their tax obligations, and are encouraged to file or remit electronically;
• communications regarding audits, objections, appeals, disputes or relief requests will continue by telephone and digital services (e.g. online CRA accounts or the Secure drop zone), but written letters will be limited to exceptional circumstances; and
• penalty and interest relief may be granted to those who cannot meet their tax obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.

CRA will continue to update their Canada Post mail service disruption – Impact on CRA services webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/canada-post-mail-service-disruption-impact-cra.html) with the latest information.

On September 29, 2025, Service Canada stated that delays will occur in respect of cheques mailed for Canada disability benefits and employment insurance benefits. CPP and OAS cheques will be delivered, but may be delivered prior to the date on which they can be deposited. They also encouraged the submission of online applications for various programs and registering for direct deposit. They noted that decision letters and other mail-outs for many programs will be affected by the strike.

CRA Direct Deposit Changes

Individuals can now register for and update their direct deposit information only through CRA’s online portal or through their bank or credit union. Alternatively, they can request a change by mailing a form to CRA; however, CRA noted that processing time for these requests is up to three months. Individuals cannot update or initiate direct deposit by calling CRA. Representatives can no longer submit changes through EFILE and cannot make changes through their online client access to CRA’s portal (unless the representative is a legal representative, which is fairly unusual).

Recent changes to the process for registering and updating direct deposit information are due to evolving threats and attempts to defraud the system.

Electronic Mail

Starting July 3, 2025, CRA changed the delivery method for most mail from paper to online only for approximately 500,000 individual benefit recipients. As of September 4, 2025, CRA expanded this project to include an additional 900,000 individuals and broadened the scope beyond just benefit recipients.

This change applies to some individuals who are registered for a CRA account and currently receive paper mail. CRA noted that impacted individuals will receive an email notification and, in some cases, a letter from the CRA with more information on what is changing. This change does not impact any benefit, credit or refund payments going forward.

Impacted individuals can change their correspondence back to paper mail by updating their preferences in their CRA My Account profile.