# NETFILE certified software: problems and fixes by product Source: https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software Publisher: Tax Software Desk (taxsoftwaredesk.com), independent editorial site Topic: Wealthsimple, UFile and Other Canadian Software Last updated: 2026-09-19 > NETFILE certified software is tax software the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has approved to send T1 returns over the internet. For 2025 returns the CRA lists 17 certified products, including Wealthsimple Tax, UFile, TurboTax, StudioTax and GenuTax Standard. This hub sorts the common problems in those apps by product and shows how to tell a software fault from a CRA-side one. ## Key facts - Certified products for 2025 returns: 17 (CRA list) - NETFILE service window, 2026 season: February 23, 2026 to January 29, 2027 - Tax years NETFILE accepts in 2026: 2018 to 2025 - Tax years ReFILE accepts in 2026: 2022 to 2025 - 2027 NETFILE opening date: Not yet announced (usually January or February) - Fully free certified options (CRA list): Better Tax, GenuTax Standard, Wealthsimple Tax ## What does NETFILE certified software mean? NETFILE certified software is a tax program that has passed the CRA's yearly certification for NETFILE, the CRA service that lets individuals transmit their own T1 income tax and benefit return electronically. The CRA certifies third-party software every tax year and publishes a separate list for each year you can file. Certification means the program produces a return file the CRA's systems will read. It does not mean the CRA recommends the product. The CRA states that companies whose products are certified are not its representatives, and that using the software is the responsibility of the user and the developer. NETFILE is for people filing their own return or a family member's. EFILE is a different channel used by paid tax preparers and transmitters, and it has its own error list. Keep that split in mind when you look up a code, because the same number can mean different things on each list. > **Independent site:** Tax Software Desk is independent and is not affiliated with Intuit, H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, Block Inc. (Cash App Taxes), Wealthsimple, UFile or any other software company. We link to each vendor's own help pages for account-specific support. ## Which tax software is NETFILE certified for 2025 returns? As of September 2026, the CRA's certified software page lists 17 products for the 2025 tax year, the returns people filed in spring 2026. Most developers on the list are also certified for earlier years back to 2018, but check the list for the year you are filing before you buy or install anything. | Product | Cost model shown by the CRA | Platform | | --- | --- | --- | | AdvTax | Paid, free in some situations | Online | | Better Tax | Free | Online | | CloudTax | Free, optional paid services | Online, mobile app | | EachTax | Free or paid | Online | | FastnEasyTax | Paid, free in some situations | Online, mobile app | | FutureTax | Paid, free in some situations | Computer download | | GenuTax Standard | Free | Computer download | | H&R Block Tax Software Free | Paid, free in some situations | Online | | myTaxExpress | Paid, free in some situations | Computer download | | StudioTax | Free on mobile, paid download, free in some situations | Computer download, mobile app | | Tax Chopper | Paid, free in some situations | Online | | TaxFreeway | Paid, free in some situations | Computer download, mobile app | | TaxTron | Paid, free in some situations | Online, computer download | | TurboTax | Paid, free in some situations | Online, computer download, mobile app | | UFile | Paid, free in some situations | Online, computer download | | Wealthsimple Tax | Free, optional paid | Online | | WebTax4U.ca | Paid, free in some situations | Online | CRA NETFILE certified software for the 2025 tax year (CRA list, checked September 2026) ### Is there NETFILE certified software that is free? Yes. On the 2025 list the CRA marks Better Tax and GenuTax Standard as free, and Wealthsimple Tax as free with optional paid services. Most of the others are free only if you meet the developer's own conditions, such as modest income, a simple return or first-time filing. UFile, for example, says returns with total family income of $20,000 or less (line 15000) are free. ## Why does NETFILE certification matter when your software fails? Certification is tied to a specific tax year and a specific version. A program that was certified last spring cannot NETFILE this year's return until the developer ships the new edition and the CRA certifies it. That is why a desktop product often refuses to transmit until you install its latest update. UFile's own help notes that UFile for Windows users must download the latest update before they can NETFILE. Certification can also be pulled back and restored mid-season. In the 2025 season, Wealthsimple reported that the CRA re-certified Wealthsimple Tax after changes to the CPP and QPP Schedule 8 forms, and that CRA errors 90308 and 95031 were fixed with those Schedule 8 updates on June 3, 2025. Several products showed the same codes at the time, which pointed to a CRA-side cause rather than a single app. If your program is not on the current list at all, it cannot NETFILE. You can still print the return and mail it to the CRA. ## Common problems by product This site covers the certified products Canadians search for most. The table and the product notes below point to the page that deals with each symptom. ### Wealthsimple Tax Wealthsimple Tax runs only in a browser or the Wealthsimple app, so most failures are browser settings, blocked pop-ups or a CRA response at submission. Start with [Wealthsimple Tax not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/wealthsimple-tax-not-working) for loading, saving and submit errors. For missing slips or the CRA sign-in window, see [Wealthsimple Tax Auto-fill not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/wealthsimple-tax-autofill-not-working). Moving over from Intuit's product is covered in [importing from TurboTax into Wealthsimple Tax](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/wealthsimple-tax-import-from-turbotax). ### UFile UFile comes as UFile ONLINE in the browser and UFile for Windows on your own computer, and the two fail in different ways. [UFile not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-not-working) covers sign-in, loading and CRA connection problems. Rejection messages and numbered codes are sorted on the [UFile error codes](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-error-codes) page. ### StudioTax and GenuTax Both are downloadable Windows programs, so trouble usually starts with installing the new edition or with an outdated build that is no longer certified. See [StudioTax not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/studiotax-not-working). GenuTax users should confirm they have the edition for the right tax year before trying to transmit. ### TurboTax Canada and H&R Block Canada These have their own cluster on this site because of their activation codes, desktop installs and account sign-in steps. The NETFILE codes they display come from the same CRA systems as every other product. ## When does each product's new edition come out? No developer can NETFILE 2026 returns until the CRA opens NETFILE for the 2027 season, and as of September 2026 the CRA has not announced that date. It usually announces it in January or February. For comparison, NETFILE and ReFILE opened on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. Eastern for 2025 returns. Most certified products release the new edition before NETFILE opens so you can prepare the return early, then enable transmission once certification is in place. Watch for product-specific release notes; our [UFile release date](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-release-date) page tracks UFile's timing. ## Is the problem your software or the CRA? A problem is almost certainly on the CRA side when the message quotes the CRA, when it appears in more than one product, or when it happens at the moment of transmission after the return passed the program's own review. A problem is on the software side when the program will not open, will not save, or flags errors before it lets you reach the submit screen. - Busy or down CRA servers: Wealthsimple says its message There was a problem submitting your return usually means the CRA's servers are busy, and UFile says a closed-connection message may mean the CRA servers are down. Wait a few hours and try again. - Identity mismatch: a code saying your details do not match CRA records, such as N1 in several products, means your name, SIN, date of birth or date of entry differs from what the CRA holds. Every certified program will get the same answer until the data matches. - Locked NETFILE access: repeated rejected attempts can lock NETFILE for you in every program. UFile says this happens after five rejections. Only the CRA can lift that lock. - Auto-fill gaps: slips the CRA has not yet processed will not import in any product, whatever the app. Error numbers are another trap. The NETFILE code a program shows can differ from the numbering in the CRA's EFILE error chapter for tax preparers, so note which list defines the code before acting on it. The [NETFILE error codes](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/netfile-errors) hub explains the codes the CRA returns to consumer software. ## Where can I get help with my Canadian tax software? Start with the developer, because only the developer can see your account, your payment and your software version. Wealthsimple runs a help centre at help.wealthsimple.com, and UFile's help centre is at ufile.ca/help. The CRA's certified software page links to each developer's site. Go to the CRA instead when the issue is your CRA My Account, a locked NETFILE account, your NETFILE access code, or the status of a return already accepted. Software support cannot reset any of those. 1. Write down the exact message and any code number, and note whether it appeared before or after you pressed submit. 2. Check whether the program version matches the tax year you are filing. 3. Try one more submission at most. Repeated attempts on the same error can lock NETFILE. 4. If the fault is on the CRA side and the deadline is close, print the return and mail it rather than waiting. ## Common questions ### How many tax programs are NETFILE certified? For the 2025 tax year the CRA lists 17 certified products. The list is published separately for each tax year, and the 2026 tax year list will appear once the CRA certifies products for the 2027 season. ### Is Wealthsimple Tax NETFILE certified? Yes. Wealthsimple Tax is on the CRA's certified list for the 2025 tax year, marked as free with optional paid services. Wealthsimple also reported that the CRA re-certified it in 2025 after Schedule 8 changes. ### Can I NETFILE with software that is not on the CRA list? No. Only certified software can transmit through NETFILE. If your program is not certified for the year you are filing, print the completed return and mail it to the CRA. ### Does the CRA endorse NETFILE approved software? No. The CRA says certified developers are not its representatives and that using the software is the responsibility of the user and the developer. Certification only confirms the program can produce an acceptable electronic return. ### Why does my old tax software say it cannot NETFILE? Certification is per tax year and per version. Install the edition for the year you are filing and apply the latest update, then try again once NETFILE is open for that season. ### When will NETFILE open for 2026 tax returns? The CRA has not announced the 2027 opening date as of September 2026. It usually announces it in January or February; in 2026 the service opened on February 23. ## Sources - [CRA: Certified tax software for NETFILE](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html) - [CRA: NETFILE eligibility and service dates](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/netfile-overview/eligibility.html) - [CRA: RC4018 Chapter 2, EFILE error codes](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc4018/chapter-2.html) - [Wealthsimple Help Centre: NETFILE errors update](https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/35746318519067-NETFILE-Errors-Update-Current-Status-and-Options) - [UFile Help Centre: Before you start](https://www.ufile.ca/help/before-you-start)