Tax preparation software is a competitive business, with many Canada Revenue Agency NETFILE certified options vying for your attention. Whether you're looking for a downloadable software package or an online web application to complete this year's tax return, there are freebie options available for everyone.
If your tax situation is complicated then tax software may not be your best bet. Check out Your tax return: Should you do it yourself? to see if hiring an accountant makes better sense. Here are three free tax preparation options for everyone this tax season:
1. StudioTax
Perhaps the biggest player in the free tax software space is a little product called StudioTax, by Ottawa-based company BHOK IT Consulting. On their web site, BHOK IT claims that "more than 170,000 taxpayers used StudioTax 2008", up from 100,000 downloads in 2007. Considering StudioTax depends on word of mouth marketing, it's clear the success of this free download is on the rise.
StudioTax is free for personal use regardless of your income level. It's available in both English and French versions for the Windows operating system only. With no activation keys or registration passwords to slow you down, getting your taxes filed with this CRA NETFILE certified package is shockingly simple.
Downsides to StudioTax include a somewhat unpolished user interface, and the application's inability to import previous returns from competing tax products. But if you don't mind retyping your SIN and looking up last year's return, then StudioTax may be the free package for you. Visit StudioTax.com for download instructions.
2. UDoTaxes
UDoTaxes, by Eightside Software, is another free CRA NETFILE certified software download for Windows users. This multi-language supported product boasts interview questions to help jar your memory when it comes to medical expenses, applicable tax credits, and various sources of income. UDoTaxes has a "spouse-link" feature to help couples file together. Visit UDoTaxes.com for download instructions.
3. Go Online with UFile
Tax filers without a Windows-supported computer may find success by filing this year's return using an online tax service, like the one offered through UFile by Dr. Tax Software.
Online tax preparation services require you to create an online account where you save personal information on the company's secured server, not your own computer. If you're concerned about identity theft, then stick to a downloadable tax software package.
UFile Online offers certain Canadians a free tax return. Students currently enrolled in a post-secondary program can use UFile for free, regardless of income. Low-income families earning $20,000 or less also qualify for a free tax return. Lastly, if you have paid the full price to crunch your tax numbers using UFile -- $15.95 for a single return or $24.95 for a family package -- then your dependants can file for free. See UFile's File for Free for the details.
Need more options? If this list of free tax package options is not enough, visit the CRA's Certified NETFILE Software List for all 2009 tax return options.
Your Turn: What's your favourite tax preparation software?
I was going to try StudioTax this year, but quickly found out that they don't support Québec tax returns. Neither does UDoTaxes. It's a lot more work than for other provinces, so I understand why they don't support Québec, but it's annoying nonetheless. So I stuck to my good old QuickTax, despite its high price tag.
I looked at the CRA link you posted. I'm amazed at how many NETFILE certified software packages there are! Who has time to write all that software anyway? And how can they afford to give it away for free?
Posted by: Eric Joanis | 04/08/2010 at 12:43 PM
You guys should try AceTax. I used it this year for 2010 and loved it. It is is really fast and easy to do my taxes with AceTax. It only cost me 8.99 and I get a discount next year and pay only 6.99 as a returning customer.
http://www.fredsoft.ca/acetax
Posted by: Jason | 04/05/2011 at 01:48 PM
I think, It is is really fast and easy to do my taxes with AceTax. It only cost me 8.99 and I get a discount next year and pay only 6.99 as a returning customer.
Posted by: why you need insurance planning. | 04/19/2011 at 02:51 AM