# UFile release date and other Canadian tax software for 2026 returns

Source: https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-release-date
Publisher: Tax Software Desk (taxsoftwaredesk.com), independent editorial site
Topic: Wealthsimple, UFile and Other Canadian Software
Last updated: 2026-09-19

> As of September 19, 2026, the UFile release date for the 2026 tax year (returns filed in 2027) is not yet announced, and neither are the 2026 editions of StudioTax, GenuTax, Wealthsimple Tax or TurboTax Canada. Filing cannot start until the CRA opens NETFILE; in 2026 it opened on February 23 at 6:00 a.m. Eastern, and the 2027 date is also not yet announced.

## Key facts

- UFile 2026 edition release date: Not yet announced (as of September 19, 2026)
- Current UFile edition: UFile 2025, for 2025 returns
- NETFILE opening, 2026 season: February 23, 2026, 6:00 a.m. Eastern
- NETFILE opening, 2027 season: Not yet announced; CRA usually announces it in January or February
- Current NETFILE window closes: January 29, 2027

## When is the UFile release date for 2026 returns?

The UFile release date for 2026 returns has not been announced. As of September 19, 2026, the UFile download page still offers UFile 2025, which prepares 2025 returns, and a separate link for the 2024 software ([UFile, Download](https://www.ufile.ca/download)). Anyone searching for a UFile 2026 download today will only find the 2025 edition.

The naming trips people up. Canadian programs are named after the tax year they cover, not the year you use them. **UFile 2026** will be the edition for income earned in 2026, which you file in spring 2027. UFile 2025 is the edition for 2025 income, filed in 2026.

> **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. Release dates come only from each vendor; we report them once they are published.

## Release status of Canadian tax software for the 2026 tax year

No major Canadian consumer program has published a date for its 2026 tax year edition. The table records what each vendor offers now, as of September 19, 2026, and what is still unknown.

| Program | Current edition | 2026 tax year edition | Where to watch |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UFile (Windows and ONLINE) | UFile 2025; CRA-certified for 2018 to 2025 | Not yet announced | ufile.ca/download |
| TurboTax Canada | 2025 editions | Not yet announced | turbotax.intuit.ca |
| StudioTax | StudioTax 2025, certified on all platforms | Not yet announced | studiotax.com home page |
| GenuTax Standard | Version 1.92, covers 2003 to 2025 | Not yet announced | genutax.ca Software Update page |
| Wealthsimple Tax | Certified for 2023 to 2025 | Not yet announced | wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax |

Canadian tax software editions, status on September 19, 2026

Sources: [UFile](https://www.ufile.ca/download), [CRA listing for UFile](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program/detailed-information-ufile.html), [StudioTax](https://www.studiotax.com/home.html), [GenuTax](https://www.genutax.ca/Help/Update) and [Wealthsimple](https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax). For the Wealthsimple timeline in detail, see [when will Wealthsimple Tax be available](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/when-will-wealthsimple-tax-be-available).

## How software releases line up with NETFILE opening

A Canadian program can be downloaded before NETFILE opens, but no return can be sent to the CRA until the NETFILE service opens for the new tax year. In the 2026 season the CRA closed NETFILE from February 1 to 22, 2026 for tax year updates, then opened it on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. Eastern ([Canada.ca, NETFILE](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax/personal-income-tax/how-file/tax-software/send-return/netfile.html)).

Before each season the CRA certifies third-party software and publishes a list of certified products for that tax year ([CRA, Find certified tax software](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html)). That is why some vendors ship early builds that must be updated later. StudioTax, for example, tells anyone who installed a preview version to update before filing ([StudioTax](https://www.studiotax.com/home.html)).

### What happened in the 2026 season

- February 1 to 22, 2026: NETFILE closed for tax year updates (CRA).
- February 23, 2026, 6:00 a.m. Eastern: NETFILE opened for 2025 returns (CRA).
- 2026 season: StudioTax 2025 became certified on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and anyone on a preview build had to update before filing (StudioTax).
- By mid-March 2026: most slips processed and available through Auto-fill my return, according to the CRA's usual schedule ([CRA, About Auto-fill my return](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/about-auto-fill-return.html)).
- April 22, 2026: GenuTax Standard version 1.92 released (GenuTax).
- April 30, 2026: filing and payment deadline for most people; June 15, 2026 filing deadline if you or your spouse were self-employed (CRA).

## Can I file a late return with last year's edition?

Yes. You must use the edition for the year the return belongs to, and most of those editions stay available. Until January 29, 2027, NETFILE accepts initial returns for 2018 through 2025 and ReFILE accepts changes to 2022 through 2025 returns ([CRA, NETFILE eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/netfile-overview/eligibility.html)).

| Program | Earlier years available | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UFile | Certified for 2018 to 2025 | Prior tax years bought separately |
| StudioTax | Editions back to 2004 downloadable | 2019 and earlier free; 2025 licence activates 2020 to 2024 |
| GenuTax Standard | Prepares 2003 to 2025; NETFILE for 2018 to 2025 | One program covers every year |
| Wealthsimple Tax | 2023 and 2024 on the web | No filing for years before 2023 |

Filing earlier years with each program

Worked example: if you still owe a 2024 return in December 2026, open UFile 2024 or another 2024 edition, not UFile 2025. You can NETFILE it until January 29, 2027. After that NETFILE closes for updates, and you should check the 2027 window, not yet announced, before assuming you can file online.

## What to do now while the 2026 editions are not out

1. Finish any 2025 or older return now with the current editions, while the 2026 season window is still open.
2. Save a PDF and the program's own file of your 2025 return. You will want the figures when you start your 2026 return.
3. Check that you can sign in to CRA My Account, which Auto-fill my return needs inside certified software.
4. On Windows 10, plan an upgrade: UFile recommends Windows 11 and no longer fixes Windows 10 bugs.
5. Bookmark each vendor's download page and check again in January 2027.

Do not buy or download anything labelled UFile 2026 from a site other than ufile.ca until UFile announces it. Unofficial download sites are a common source of installers that fail or carry unwanted software. If your current copy is giving trouble, see [UFile not installing](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-not-installing), [Wealthsimple Tax not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/wealthsimple-tax-not-working) or the [Canadian tax software problems](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software) guide. TurboTax Canada users can check [install TurboTax Canada](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/turbotax-canada/install-turbotax-canada) when the new edition is released.

## Common questions

### When will UFile 2026 be available?

UFile has not announced it as of September 19, 2026. UFile 2026 is the edition for 2026 income, filed in 2027; until it is released, ufile.ca offers UFile 2025.

### Can I download UFile 2026 now?

No. Only UFile 2025 and earlier editions are on the official download page. Avoid third-party sites offering a 2026 version before UFile announces one.

### When does TurboTax Canada 2026 come out?

Intuit Canada has not announced a date as of September 19, 2026. Check turbotax.intuit.ca; filing still waits for the CRA to open NETFILE.

### Is StudioTax 2026 out yet?

Not as of September 19, 2026. StudioTax 2025 is the current edition, and last season StudioTax asked preview users to update to the certified build before filing.

### When does NETFILE open in 2027?

The CRA has not announced it. It usually announces the date in January or February; in 2026 NETFILE opened on February 23 at 6:00 a.m. Eastern.

### Can I start my 2026 return in UFile 2025?

No. Each edition only prepares its own tax year, so 2026 income needs the 2026 edition once it is released.

## Sources

- [UFile, Download](https://www.ufile.ca/download)
- [CRA, UFile details (certified software)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program/detailed-information-ufile.html)
- [CRA, Tax software for filing personal taxes (NETFILE eligibility)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/netfile-overview/eligibility.html)
- [Canada.ca, NETFILE](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax/personal-income-tax/how-file/tax-software/send-return/netfile.html)
- [CRA, Important dates for individuals](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/important-dates-individuals.html)
- [GenuTax, Software Update](https://www.genutax.ca/Help/Update)