UFile ONLINE: Technical questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Is UFile ONLINE a type of software?

  UFile is an interview-driven tax preparation Web application, so it is a type of software, but it resides on our secure servers at all times. This means that you don’t have to download it or update it when tax codes change. We do that in the background.

  As you prepare your tax return using UFile ONLINE, you are virtually sitting at one of our workstations. The data entered is sent incrementally to our servers to be processed so that your tax results can be calculated. Any errors that UFile can diagnose are reported to you to fix immediately.

• Is UFile ONLINE secure?

  Yes, definitely.

  Having been in the tax business for over a decade, we understand that your privacy and confidentiality are extremely important. We can assure you that only the strictest of security procedures have been adhered to throughout our Web site.

• Where is UFile ONLINE storing my data?

  The information entered into UFile ONLINE (not UFile for Windows which stores data on your computer) is stored securely on servers owned and maintained by UFile.

  We use the highest encryption protocols available (128-bit) and we store the data in a protected data bank. Secure backups of the encrypted data are also stored off-site in guarded data centres.

  All data transmissions to the CRA and Revenu Québec are subject to 128-bit encryption as well.

  Because your tax information is stored securely in the UFile ONLINE data bank, we can ensure that the correct amounts will be carried forward to your file for the next tax year, so you don't have to search for them when the next tax season begins. Incidentally, when the time comes, we can help you further by comparing your previous year’s tax file to the tax information you have entered for the current year.

• How can I access my UFile ONLINE data?

  To access your tax information in the UFile ONLINE data bank, you will require two pieces of identification, namely your user ID and your password, both chosen by you upon signing up.

  UFile will not offer to remember your password for you, as many programs do, as this would defeat the standards of optimal security that UFile wants to guarantee its users. In fact, if you forget your password, UFile will NOT retrieve it for you but we will give you access to the hint that you have provided to be reminded of that password.

  A good hint should remind you of your password, but should not directly refer to the password itself. For example:

  Hint: Favourite colour?
  Password: Kermit

  Your user ID and password are your responsibility, both to remember and to keep confidential.

• I cannot remember my Password, can you help me?

  In order to maintain complete security for your tax information, there is no means for UFile to provide you with your password.

  Here are some tips regarding User IDs and passwords:

  • When you opened your file, UFile recommended that you use your email address as your User ID. Did you use this suggestion?
  • Your User ID will not change if you changed email addresses unless you have changed your user profile in UFile ONLINE.
  • User IDs, passwords and mother's maiden name (used to recover the password hint) are all Case Sensitive.
  • Think of the following commonly used password sources, if the one you regularly use does not work:

  Pet's name, family members or close friends, important places, telephone numbers, PIN numbers, birthdates (yours or someone else's).
  

  • If you must create a new file, please printout UFile ONLINE’s welcome email and write your password or a simple hint on it and save it in a secure place for next year.

• What is encryption?

  Encryption is a way of encoding information in a hidden manner. This procedure allows it to remain encoded not only at UFile ONLINE but also when sent back to you for transmission to the CRA or Revenu Québec. This prevents unauthorized parties from accessing your personal information.

  The key used to encrypt information contains a certain number of "bits." UFile ONLINE uses 128-bit encryption, which is much more difficult and time-consuming to break into than the more commonly used 40-bit encryption.

  From the governments' perspective, it is essential for your tax data to be intact when they receive it. Therefore, encryption is deemed necessary with respect to the electronic transactions that take place between the transmitter and the CRA or Revenu Québec only. As far as governments are concerned, no other transaction or data need be encrypted or secure in any way.

  UFile ONLINE takes this policy one step further by applying 128-bit encryption throughout your entire session on its site. This ensures that computer hackers and other Internet users will not be able to alter or view your data.

• What are cookies?

  A cookie is a packet of data containing information that identifies you to a Web site such as UFile ONLINE In this way, while you are preparing your tax return using UFile, we ensure that your identity remains acknowledged during your online session. Similarly, if you efile to the CRA or Revenu Québec, other cookies will be created to identify you to their respective Web sites. Cookies are basically a session management method.

  Note that the cookie that we create for you will not contain your social insurance number, user ID or password. This means that your cookie can only be of any use with regard to your UFile ONLINE session. Even if a third party succeeded in looking at your cookie on the computer you are using, this individual would not be able to use this information to log onto the site, nor could they have access to your tax information.

  Most browsers have cookies enabled by default. If you have previously disabled them, make sure that you turn them on again before logging onto UFile ONLINE.

  Keep in mind that if you do not wish to accept cookies, you will not be able to use UFile ONLINEnor file your income tax return to the CRA or Revenu Québec over the Internet.

• What are firewalls?
  At the UFile site, security is guaranteed and you are assured that all your tax information is stored securely in our data bank.
  

  When you log onto our site, you pass through a firewall, a tool that blocks access to anyone who does not have the right to enter, including anyone attempting to enter with a disallowed protocol or without an identifiable IP address.

  From the time that you log on at our Web server, using your user ID and password, all activity on our Web site takes place in secure mode.

  The information you enter on the Web server does not stay there. It is sent to our applications server behind a second firewall as soon as you submit it. The applications server will send back messages and diagnostics to the Web server. These are intended for you. You are expected to read the messages, make corrections and clarifications to the data if necessary, and continue until your tax return is completed. At no time is any part of your file accessible in a clear format on our Web server.

  Once you have completed your tax return and are satisfied with the results, which you will be confirming by paying for the service, you will be able to download the standard tax return (in PDF format) and the electronic return (in the format designated by the CRA and Revenu Québec), ready to be filed.

• Does UFile ONLINE use a timeout facility?

  Yes, in your own best interest.

  To protect the integrity of your tax information, UFile is designed to end your session after 15 minutes of inactivity. This is basically a "timeout" feature. Once a delay of 15 minutes has passed without any activity taking place on the screen, UFile will assume that you have stepped away from your work station and do not wish to continue with the current session at that particular time, and will log you off automatically.

  If this happens, you have to log on again to enable UFile ONLINE to verify your identity and allow you to resume your session.

• How do I print my tax return?

  Once you are satisfied with your tax return and have paid UFile's fees, your computer can print your tax return on plain paper using the program Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  If you do not have this program installed, you can download it free of charge by clicking here.

• How do I make a backup of my tax information?

  With UFile ONLINE, you never need to make a backup.

  UFile keeps your original file safe, secure and encrypted with its own key based on your password. An encrypted backup is kept in a second data bank in an off-site, secret location.

  You can always keep a copy of your tax return in PDF format for viewing and printing later. And remember, UFile ONLINE is a year-round service where you can access your return anytime.

• What are the system requirements for UFile ONLINE?

  All you require is one of the following browsers supported by your operating system.

  For Windows:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera

  For Mac:

  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera

  For Linux:

  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Opera

  All must have 128-bit encryption, cookies and JavaScript enabled.

  It is also recommended that you have a PDF reader (free download) to display your tax return in PDF format. Most Internet users already have the Adobe Reader but if you don't, you can go to Adobe's Web site and download it for free.

• Can I use UFile if I have a Mac or Linux?

  Absolutely! UFile supports the Mac and Linux operating systems running browsers based on the latest Mozilla rendering engine. See www.mozilla.org for more information.

  To learn more about UFile's system requirements from the FAQ above.

  Note: UFile has not been fully tested on all versions of Mac and Linux operating systems. We cannot guarantee UFile will be compatible with all platforms and their respective browsers.