saskwatcher
Mar 4th, 2009, 09:20 PM
I'm not sure if this fits better under "Personal Finance" or "Request-a-deal", but here it is.
I'm looking for deals and reviews on Income Tax software for the 2008 tax year for preparing personal T1 returns beyond a basic return, i.e. a return with capital gains/loss support. If you find a good deal, post it to "Hot Deals" and provide a link back to this thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8369586). (I believe that is permitted under forum etiquette.)
Here are the most common Canadian packages. Pricing is listed along with the number of returns.
Cost varies from FREE (Careware) to an expensive annual cost to a reasonably price perpetual license. Most are free for returns under $25k.
I will update the info in this posting as I receive more info/comments.
(*) TaxExpress - http://www.mytaxexpress.com/
cost: $7/1, $14/10
pro: reasonable price for full featured version, not just "basic returns".
try it before buying it.
con: data entry keys a little different from the usual
download: 3 MB download for mini-version, 15 MB for version with local printing.
- requires JRE (Java Runtime Environment)
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) Taxman http://pacificcoast.net/~gthompson/
2008 version: http://pacificcoast.net/~gthompson/2008.htm
cost: FREE/infinity. "CAREware" - If you care, send some money. If it is useful, send some money. If it saved you money, send some money.
pro: simple. basic. no netfile so less of your personal info is sent to the government. no netfile so you must print and mail it or drop it off at the local tax office. even runs on Vista.
con: few reviews on product. no efile or netfile. no Quebec TP-1-V.
download: 7.6 MB
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) TaxTron http://www.taxtron.ca
cost: $13/1, $25/5, "free with license" <$30k
pro: - free test drive (can enter data but not print)
- supports MAC, too
con: price "doubled" from 2007 when it cost $25/10
URL confirmed: 2009/03
quicktax data import: unknown
(*) GenuTax https://www.genutax.ca/Purchase.aspx
cost: $35/20. One-time payment. Annual tax update modules are FREE.
pro: - free annual tax update modules, meaning no ongoing annual costs!!!!
- new features that are added to the base program can be purchased as needed
- unlimited returns for family and friends. (Not certified
for tax preparers who charge fees for preparing returns.)
- 30 day trial available
multiple installations: yes, on computers you personally own and control within your own residence, as long as only 1 copy is running at a time.
URL confirmed: 2009/03
quicktax data import: no, but uses an interview process to import past data
(*) UFile for Windows http://www.ufile.ca
cost: $30/8 + additional $10/2 (2006 $30/6) (2005 $20/10), free<$25k.
$20/8 at some retail stores.
pro: price decrease. cheaper than others
con:
quicktax/taxwiz data import: yes
URL confirmed: 2008/04
(*) TaxFreeWay (formerly "TaxCel" which required Excel, but new version does not.) http://www.taxfreeway.ca
cost: $10/unlimited*
pro: cheap, unlimited returns. free download with print and efile disabled. MAC version available.
con:
quicktax data import: no
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) StudioTax http://www.studiotax.com/en/home.htm
cost: free for personal use
pro: free/CAREware. If you care, make a payment.
con: requires micro$oft .NET framework 1.1, a free but bloated 23 MB download.
Why we wrote this software: We are a small group of people based in Ottawa who know a thing or two about computers and had time to spare (blame that on the 2003-2004 NHL lockout).
New for 2006: As of 2006 version, StudioTax supports linked returns. Make sure to check the corresponding check box when you set your marital status.
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) QuickTax OnLine
http://www.intuit.ca (not to be confused with QuickTaxWEB version)
cost: Standard $40/8 (2007 $20/2)
Platinum (with investments and rental property) $70/8 (2007 $30/2)
pro: seems very complete, and most popular (== more cost)
con: getting more expensive every year
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) TAXWIZ http://www.intuit.ca/en/taxwiz/index...equestid=83593
cost: DISCONTINUED for 2007. $20/5 (2005 tax year)
Taxwiz users are directed to try QuickTax Basic.
URL confirmed: dead link
(*) SnapTax http://www.snaptax.ca $10/return on line
An online tax return, partnered with Intuit.CA. A simpler version of QuickTaxWeb.ca ??
cost: DISCONTINUED in 2007. yet another Intuit.CA division.
pro: $10/return
con: $10/return
quicktax data import: no. online return.
URL confirmed: dead link
----
Notes for all programs: If the program cannot import Q*TAX data, then the info must be entered from the previous CARRY and LOSS forms. This probably adds only a few minutes and once done, you are good for next year, so this probably isn't a critical feature.
---
* 20 Return Limit for NETFILE-certified software
NETFILE is an electronic filing service that taxpayers can use to file their own personal income tax and benefit return with the CRA. To protect the integrity of this service, the CRA has set a limit of 20 returns that can be prepared with each NETFILE-certified tax preparation software. Software developers must follow this rule to be certified for NETFILE
---
(\__/) This is Bunny. Copy bunny
(o'.'o) into your signature to help
(")_(") him gain world domination.
I'm looking for deals and reviews on Income Tax software for the 2008 tax year for preparing personal T1 returns beyond a basic return, i.e. a return with capital gains/loss support. If you find a good deal, post it to "Hot Deals" and provide a link back to this thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8369586). (I believe that is permitted under forum etiquette.)
Here are the most common Canadian packages. Pricing is listed along with the number of returns.
Cost varies from FREE (Careware) to an expensive annual cost to a reasonably price perpetual license. Most are free for returns under $25k.
I will update the info in this posting as I receive more info/comments.
(*) TaxExpress - http://www.mytaxexpress.com/
cost: $7/1, $14/10
pro: reasonable price for full featured version, not just "basic returns".
try it before buying it.
con: data entry keys a little different from the usual
download: 3 MB download for mini-version, 15 MB for version with local printing.
- requires JRE (Java Runtime Environment)
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) Taxman http://pacificcoast.net/~gthompson/
2008 version: http://pacificcoast.net/~gthompson/2008.htm
cost: FREE/infinity. "CAREware" - If you care, send some money. If it is useful, send some money. If it saved you money, send some money.
pro: simple. basic. no netfile so less of your personal info is sent to the government. no netfile so you must print and mail it or drop it off at the local tax office. even runs on Vista.
con: few reviews on product. no efile or netfile. no Quebec TP-1-V.
download: 7.6 MB
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) TaxTron http://www.taxtron.ca
cost: $13/1, $25/5, "free with license" <$30k
pro: - free test drive (can enter data but not print)
- supports MAC, too
con: price "doubled" from 2007 when it cost $25/10
URL confirmed: 2009/03
quicktax data import: unknown
(*) GenuTax https://www.genutax.ca/Purchase.aspx
cost: $35/20. One-time payment. Annual tax update modules are FREE.
pro: - free annual tax update modules, meaning no ongoing annual costs!!!!
- new features that are added to the base program can be purchased as needed
- unlimited returns for family and friends. (Not certified
for tax preparers who charge fees for preparing returns.)
- 30 day trial available
multiple installations: yes, on computers you personally own and control within your own residence, as long as only 1 copy is running at a time.
URL confirmed: 2009/03
quicktax data import: no, but uses an interview process to import past data
(*) UFile for Windows http://www.ufile.ca
cost: $30/8 + additional $10/2 (2006 $30/6) (2005 $20/10), free<$25k.
$20/8 at some retail stores.
pro: price decrease. cheaper than others
con:
quicktax/taxwiz data import: yes
URL confirmed: 2008/04
(*) TaxFreeWay (formerly "TaxCel" which required Excel, but new version does not.) http://www.taxfreeway.ca
cost: $10/unlimited*
pro: cheap, unlimited returns. free download with print and efile disabled. MAC version available.
con:
quicktax data import: no
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) StudioTax http://www.studiotax.com/en/home.htm
cost: free for personal use
pro: free/CAREware. If you care, make a payment.
con: requires micro$oft .NET framework 1.1, a free but bloated 23 MB download.
Why we wrote this software: We are a small group of people based in Ottawa who know a thing or two about computers and had time to spare (blame that on the 2003-2004 NHL lockout).
New for 2006: As of 2006 version, StudioTax supports linked returns. Make sure to check the corresponding check box when you set your marital status.
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) QuickTax OnLine
http://www.intuit.ca (not to be confused with QuickTaxWEB version)
cost: Standard $40/8 (2007 $20/2)
Platinum (with investments and rental property) $70/8 (2007 $30/2)
pro: seems very complete, and most popular (== more cost)
con: getting more expensive every year
URL confirmed: 2009/03
(*) TAXWIZ http://www.intuit.ca/en/taxwiz/index...equestid=83593
cost: DISCONTINUED for 2007. $20/5 (2005 tax year)
Taxwiz users are directed to try QuickTax Basic.
URL confirmed: dead link
(*) SnapTax http://www.snaptax.ca $10/return on line
An online tax return, partnered with Intuit.CA. A simpler version of QuickTaxWeb.ca ??
cost: DISCONTINUED in 2007. yet another Intuit.CA division.
pro: $10/return
con: $10/return
quicktax data import: no. online return.
URL confirmed: dead link
----
Notes for all programs: If the program cannot import Q*TAX data, then the info must be entered from the previous CARRY and LOSS forms. This probably adds only a few minutes and once done, you are good for next year, so this probably isn't a critical feature.
---
* 20 Return Limit for NETFILE-certified software
NETFILE is an electronic filing service that taxpayers can use to file their own personal income tax and benefit return with the CRA. To protect the integrity of this service, the CRA has set a limit of 20 returns that can be prepared with each NETFILE-certified tax preparation software. Software developers must follow this rule to be certified for NETFILE
---
(\__/) This is Bunny. Copy bunny
(o'.'o) into your signature to help
(")_(") him gain world domination.