For customers purchasing Audit Defence services across Canada, services will be provided by TurboTax tax experts. Actual connection times and availability may vary. TurboTax Experts are available from 9 a.m. To 12:00 midnight ET, 7 days a week for English, and 9 a.m. ET for French during tax season (from February 22 to April 30, 2021). If you need to catch up on filing tax returns for previous years, GenuTax Standard includes the ability to prepare and file tax returns for the years 2003 through 2020. If your tax return is otherwise eligible, you may use GenuTax Standard software to file your tax return over the Internet using the Canada Revenue Agency's NETFILE service for the years 2017 through 2020.
Updated 2019 July 1
When it comes to tax software available to Canadians, there's no lack of choice. Not that long ago, on the tax deadline, last-minute tax filers would rush to the post office to get their envelopes in before midnight.
Today, it's easy to prepare and file your taxes online for free, or for a reasonable price. The CRA makes it easy to file online. In fact, 87.5% of Canadian taxpayers did just that in 2018! The CRA certifies all NETFILE-certified tax software. You can even import your tax slips from the CRA into any NETFILE-certified product using the auto-fill feature.
If you're self-employed or a small business owner, free software options might not do the job. So, you'll need to choose based on your personal tax needs. You might need support for business deductions, such as mileage expenses when you drive a car for business. More on that later.
Which free tax software reigns supreme in Canada?
If your tax situation is basic, free income tax software could be a good option. Free programs are good for people with simple needs, such as students or salaried employees with one source of income.
TurboTax Free: Online and desktop versions
TurboTax (TT) has been the leading tax preparation software in Canada for years. Their free and paid versions are exceptionally easy to use.
Pros
- TT uses a series of questions to guide you. If you're a student or have a basic tax situation, TT's free version might right for you.
- Includes some of the intuitive features from TT's paid versions.
Cons
- If your situation is more complex, the free version might not be ideal. It only does basic checks.
- TurboTax Free versions don't import the previous year's data. You'll have to key in more information at tax time. To save yourself the trouble, you can use a paid version of TT or other free software, such as SimpleTax.
- The desktop version of TT limits you to two tax returns. If you need more (for a child or parent), you'll have to use the online version.
- TT paid versions provide advanced guidance and step-by-step instructions for investment income, rental properties, business income, deductions and capital expenses.
- Despite its popularity, TurboTax bombards users with in-app upgrade prompts. They're annoying, but there's a way to turn them off.
Other free tax software
Other free tax software products use a pay-what-you-want model. We'll review some of them below. The CRA lists all NETFILE-certified free and paid tax preparation products.
SimpleTax features:
- File online on a single web page
- 20 return limit, free to use
- Pay-what-you-want (donation)
- It's simple to use because you input all your data on a single web page
- The company stores your tax data on its secure servers
- You get basic guidance and questions
StudioTax features:
- Desktop software
- 20 return limit, free to use
- Pay-what-you-want (donation)
- Stores your tax data on your PC
- Unlike TT Free, you can import your prior year StudioTax data
GenuTax features:
- Desktop software
- 20 return limit, free to use
- Pay-what-you-want (donation)
- It handles capital gains, rental property income and small business needs
- Step-by-step basic interview
- GenuTax doesn't support Quebec tax returns. You'll have to look elsewhere if you live in Quebec!
Mac Compatible Tax Software
These free alternatives to TT offer key benefits such as the ability to import last year's data in the second and later years. But they aren't totally free.
The advantage of the pay-what-you-want model is access to a full-featured product. But you'll see donation requests for specific amounts. Anyone can use free tax software, however, paid options offer a lot more features for freelancers, self-employed individuals and small business owners.
What Is The Best Free Canadian Tax Software
These free alternatives give you the important ability to import last year's data. But only if you used the same software in the previous year. However, they aren't totally free. The advantage of the pay-what-you-want model is access to a full-featured product. But you'll see donation requests for specific amounts.
Best Tax Software For Mac
Anyone can use free tax software, but paid options offer more features for freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners. Consider TurboTax's paid options if you have business income and expenses, rental property and investments. If you do your own taxes, TT could be a cheaper full-featured alternative to hiring an accountant.