Having explored the plethora of free tax software available in Canada, letโs now focus on highlighting some of the finest options that stand out in the market. I know filing taxes is always a challenging task for many. However, in Canada, itโs a bit easier as there are a few good software to help you out.
In Canada, when it comes to filing taxes online, there are two main avenues to explore: NETFILE and EFILE.
- NETFILE serves as a certified tax software endorsed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), offering an online platform for individuals to submit their tax returns digitally, bypassing the need for traditional paper forms.
- Conversely, EFILE operates as another free tax filing software, facilitating an electronic submission process utilized by tax preparation services to transmit your income tax return information directly to the CRA.
Furthermore, thereโs a 24/7 online help center readily available to provide assistance whenever needed. I am sure you are a bit confident now. So, I will tell you about the top free typing software. First, have a quick look at their names. Later, Iโll tell you the details of each one of them.
- Turbo Tax-Free
- Wealthsimple Tax
- H&R Block
- CloudTax
- uFile
- GenuTax
- AdvTax
- StudioTax
- EachTax
All of the mentioned tax software options are certified by the CRA and offer free registration for filing taxes, with some also providing paid versions. While the free versions typically cover most tax situations, itโs important to note that they may come with certain restrictions and limitations.
My recommendation is to start with the free version initially. If necessary, you can always consider upgrading to the paid version later on.
1. TurboTax Free Canada
TurboTax Freeย is one of the most famous and top-rated tax return software in Canada. It provides free standard, premium, and self-employed versions. The free version covers most of the basic problems and issues.ย You can easily use this software on mobile devices, desktops, tablets, and laptops.
Iโll tell you some plus points of using it. The software is very easy to use and you get step-by-step guidance throughout. if you want to get expert help, use the premium version. The tax experts can also do your taxes then. It also guarantees the maximum refund. However, the unpaid version has very limited offerings andย canโt support all tax situations. If you can afford it I would suggest you choose the premium one, but itโs a bit expensive.
The Benefits of Using TurboTax Free Software
- NETFILE-certified.
- You can get up toย 20 free returnsย every tax year.
- Provides auto-fillย return compatibility.
- Auto-fill return directly imports your tax information fromย CRA.
- Provides a refund instantlyย and a maximum refund guarantee.
- There is a guarantee of 100% accuracy. In case of any issue arising due to automatic calculations from TurboTax, then the penalty will be refunded by them.
- After the submission of the return usingย NETFILE, you will instantly access your notice.
- They also provideย REFILEย if any adjustment is required to make on your return.
- To secure personal information, it providesย TLS encryption.
- Available inย Quebec.
- Provide access to a liveย tax expert.
The free version of TurboTax does not provide phone support with any of its tax experts, credits, income, or deductions like income or expenses from self-employment, donations, income from investments, or rental income.ย
2. Wealthsimple Tax
Wealthsimple Taxย is previously known as SimpleTax. It is a free tax filing software for your income tax return. Recently, it started introducing free filing ofย crypto taxย in Canada. It is certified by the CRA andย Revenue Quebec to NETFILE.
It contains reporting ofย employment income, income from rental properties, donations, income from investments, medical expenses, etc.
If you are involved in crypto training, then this software will help you calculate any capital gains or deprivation and include it in your tax filing. You will get various types of crypto exchange from here:ย Wealthsimple, Crpyto, Bitbuy, NDAX, Shakepay, and 300 more. If you want to get CRA audit support, then you can upgrade it to premium.
Merits of Using Wealthsimple Tax
- Convenientย to use.
- Step-by-step guidance along withย 100%ย accuracy. In case due to software-related problems if you need to pay any interest or penalty then it will be covered byย Wealthsimple tax.
- Provide a high refund. It will take a maximum ofย eight daysย to directly deposit the amount.
- It is available in all types ofย regions.
- Suitable for all kinds ofย devices.
- Get various types of tax calculators likeย TFSA, RRSP, and other retirement tax scenarios.
- File any type of return along withย step-by-step guidance.
- Guarantee of a huge refund.
- Approved NETFILE byย CRA.
- Availability ofย auditย support
Overall, the software is good but it offers limited customer support and you will not get a tax review fromย any expert. So, I advise you to have proper tax knowledge if using this software.
3. H&R Block Software
Here is one more software thatโs been offering tax services to Canadian people for 55 years. In Canada, more than 1000 offices are available where you can get tax services in person and drop off your documents. If you are excited to know what this software offeres. Here it is:
- Certified byย NETFILE
- Maximumย automaticย refund
- Simple usingย process
- Can be accessed fromย online centres
- You can auto-fill my return downloads on a few of your tax slips straight fromย CRA and Revenue Quebec.
In some situations, if you want some kind of help and support to perform your tax return the products of assistance provideย unlimited tech support. It provides the transfer list of your tax details from last year. Besides this, if you needย audit protection, priority support, and capable of storing your return online for the last seven years. You also get audit protectionย and expert help if using the premium version.
4. CloudTax
If you are looking for free software, I would recommend you use CloudTax is free. Nimalan Balachandran created the software, which is also certified by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Offerings of CloudTax Software
- Auto-fillย my return.
- Able to access the platform on webย andย mobileย devices
- It isย encryptedย for data security
- Storageย for online tax return
- It also provides optional audit protection ofย 2.99 dollars per month; from this payment, you can also get expert help
- You can get audit protection at a veryย minimal cost
- Certified byย NETFILE
- Limitlessย chatย support
However, if you areinย Nunavut, Quebec, Yukon, and Northwest Territories, you may not use it as the software is unavailable there. Also, The free version will not haveย self-employedย individuals or rental income
5. uFile Free
It is another free software for income tax returns used in Canada. You can directly use the software on your mobile phones, laptops, and desktops. A Windows version of the software is also available. ufileย free service is offered in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Students. The software is approved by autofill andย NETFILE. Moreover, it guarantees tripleย accuracy. The only drawback is that there is no chat support an only a limited number of people can use its free version.
Services Provided By uFile Software
- For filing of simpleย tax return
- An outsider who came to Canada to file their first federal tax return
- The person with less income pays taxes with a total family income of fewer than 20,000 dollars.
The minimum cost for upgrading the software is 19.95 dollars.
6. GenuTax
It is also certified software for tax services. It is only available as an installation file for Windows computers. It can control most tax scenarios. They also ask for a donation to support the company.
I like this one as itโs very useful for uncomplicated and complicated tax situations. This situation includes small business tax income for rental property.
Benefits of GenuTax Software
- From 2010, you can only file up toย 20 taxย returns.
- Certified byย NETFILE
- Easy to use, free ofย cost
- Limited services for customers are available, and you can create only up toย 20 taxย returns via email.
However, forms likeย T2203 and T1135ย are not supported by it. And one issue that I found is itโs only applicable to use inย Windows. Also, if you are in Quebec, you may not use it as the the province doesnโt support the software.
7. AdvTax
It is a free tax software used for income tax services. You can use the software on various devices like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc. You can use the program in multiple languages like English, French, and Chinese. They reported that it only takesย 3 to 5 minutesย to submit the tax return and a maximum of up toย 10 minutesย for families. The software is certified by both NETFILEย andย EFILE. A good news for low-income individuals, they can fill it out online for free. However, according to reviews, there is only a 50% possibilityย of getting free filing taxes online and the interfaceย is also outdated.
8.ย StudioTax
It is a free tax service provider software. New customers, newcomers, senior citizens, and persons with income can use the software. You can use it online; there is no need to download it. It is a very affordable software. I will tell you some of its features. Check this-
- Certified byย CRA
- Can trackย refunds
- Canย optimizeย refunds
- 20ย returns per year
- Option ofย auto-fillย my return
- The onlineย version is not available
Both simple and complex tax situations can be handled by it. It has built-in tools like tax saving and error checking. It gives audit support.
Itโs Time for Some Tips
So, these are the top 8 tax software that I told you about. If you are using any other software must keep these points in mind.
- The tax software must be certified byย NETFILE
- Available in your region and hold up yourย language
- It is notย complicatedย to use and is available on any kind of device.
- The version of your software must controlย the taxย situation
- Unlimitedย techย support
Many people prefer hiring a tax professional. However, there is no hard and fast rule: you need a professional to file your taxes. You can solve your situation by yourself, and in case if you canโt handle a complicated situation, then you may need a tax professional. Some external benefits that tax professionals provide areย tax planning, choosing the correct investment account, maximizing your welfare,ย etc.
Last Updated on April 13, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
