Tax Software Comparison
It's just about tax time and there's no lack of do-it-yourself options for filing your taxes. We've compared a good number of tax preparation products below. Some are free, some can handle provincial returns for Quebec, and some aren't equipped to deal with self-employment income. There is definitely something for everyone here.
If you're not sure which product you'd like to go with, keep in mind that many offer the option to pay only upon submitting your return so you can play around, run your numbers, and see what you think of the product (and even how your refund works out) before settling on one.
This year, like every year, filing your return online via NETFILE instead of mailing it in will get you a faster refund. And of course, the sooner you file the quicker you'll get your tax return.
| Product | Price | Number of Returns | Platform | Free for Students | Pay Only Upon Submission of Return | Can Use With CRA Netfile | Business Expenses / Self-Employment Income | Provincial Returns for Quebec | Notes |
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| GenuTax | $39.99; free trial available | 20 per year | Windows |  |
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Multiyear software; free annual tax updates allow use of product in future years | ||
| H&R Block Canada At Home Software | $24.99 | 16 | Windows (requires web) | |
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Free Audit Assistance ($75 value), free for military personnel | ||
| StudioTax | FREE | 20 | Windows (requires web) | |
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| Tax Chopper | 1 return: $9.98 2 returns: $15.98 3-5 returns: $19.98 6-15 returns: $25.98 |
Web | |
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Free for students, single people with < 25K income or married/common-law couples with < 30K income | ||
| Taxnic.ca | 1 return: $8.99 2 returns: $13.99 3-20 returns: $18.99 |
Web | |
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Free for users with < 20K income, Yukon residents | ||
| TaxTron | 1 return: $19.98 20 returns: $39.99 |
Mac OS 10.5 or higher | |
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| TaxTron for Windows | 1 return: $12.99 20 returns: $24.99 |
Windows | |
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| TurboTax Basic CD or Download | $17.59 | 8 | Windows | |
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For simple returns not including RRSPs, stocks, or mutual funds | ||
| TurboTax Home & Business CD or Download | $87.99 | 12 | Windows | |
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For small business owners, sole proprietors, consultants or contractors | |
| TurboTax Free Online Edition | FREE | 1 | Web | |
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For simple returns -- does not maximize deductions | |
| TurboTax Premier CD/Download | $61.59 | 12 | Windows | |
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For financial portfolios including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and rental properties | ||
| TurboTax Premier Online | $29.69 | 1 | Web | |
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For financial portfolios including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and rental properties | |
| TurboTax Standard Edition CD or Download | $35.19 | 8 | Windows | |
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Handles RRSPs, medical expense deductions, donations and more | ||
| TurboTax Standard Online Edition | $15.83 | 1 | Web | |
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Handles RRSPs, medical expense deductions, donations and more | |
| TurboTax Student Online Edition | FREE | 1 | Web | |
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| UFile.ca | $15.95 | 1 plus dependents' returns; add your spouse for $9 | Web | |
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Free for users with < 20K income, free for users filing first Canadian tax return. |
| UFile Standard for Windows | $29.99 | 8 | Windows | |
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There are a lot of great programs here -- for simple returns we like the free programs from TurboTax (previously known as QuickTax) and StudioTax. If you're thinking long-term you may want to purchase GenuTax -- pay once and you'll be able to use it for free in the years to come.