Friday, January 5, 2007

Free Canadian Tax Software

Given that the new year is upon us, we should start thinking about Income Tax,

There are tonnes of software out there that will prepare your taxes for you, but they all want money from you. Some have free trials (who wants to do their taxes five times?) others are free for low incomes, for the rest of us cheapos, there is the handy-dandy pen and calculator.

Until now that is.

Here are three FREE (as in beer) pieces of software for preparing your taxes in Canada. I have personally used the first two options myself. They are completely free, uncrippled, freeware options. The third I discovered during my searches, so I have no experience with it.

1) Peel Technologies, MyTAX

Technically, this isn't software, its the Canadian tax forms in Microsoft Excel format. Very easy to use, and perfectly legal and acceptable. I've personally used these forms, and I had no problem with Revenue Canada.

Other Office Suites might be able to open the files, making this solution cross-platform.

Method of submittal for MyTAX is strictly mail only, Netfile is not supported.


2) BHOK IT Consulting, StudioTax

This is actual tax preparation software. You just install it (Windows only), launch it, and create your returns. A simple series of questions covers the basic tax issues. For more complicated returns, just click on the needed form an fill it in.

StudioTax is fully Netfile certified (v. 2006 is currently undergoing the CRA Certification Process) so you can file through the NETFILE homepage. Get your returns faster (no mailing, save trees!), with less chance of error since they don't have to type anything in (woo-hoo!).

StudioTax will still let you print out the tax forms if you still prefer to send paper.

I used this last year, and I'm planning on using it again this year as well.


3) Phanku Software Corp., eTaxCanada

Again, I have not used this software (Windows only), so I can't vouch for it. It seems to be free and it claims to be NETFILE Certified.

If anyone has used this software, please post a comment reviewing it. Others will be glad you did.

Well, that's is for now. Until next time, keep having fun.


"bah weep graaagnah wheep ni ni bong"

4 comments:

EC said...

Excellent resources, as always. I only have three lines on my return:
-the penies I made
-the penies i paid
-the pennies i get back since ididn't make enough to pay
I revert to the pen and paper route myself, but it takes FOREVER waiting for 3 or 4 t-4's to come in the mail.

Anonymous said...

I used Studiotax last year as well. Worked fine and the price is perfect.

Anonymous said...

I used www.etaxcanada.com this year. It's very simple and easy to use. It also has a to-do list to help you along the way to prepare your return.

It's not free this year though, but it offers both download and online versions.

Jody said...

I've used eTaxCanada for the past few years and have had no troubles. It is not free though (Online is free to sign up, but you have to pay when you want to file). But, it now free to use and netfile if you are a student.

I'm going to check out StudioTax this year.