# Best tax software in Canada: how to pick a NETFILE-certified product

Source: https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/choosing-software/best-tax-software-canada
Publisher: Tax Software Desk (taxsoftwaredesk.com), independent editorial site
Topic: Choosing Tax Software
Last updated: 2026-09-19

> The best tax software in Canada is a product on the CRA's certified NETFILE list for your tax year that runs on your device and covers your income types at the lowest price. For 2025 returns the CRA certified 17 products; only Better Tax, GenuTax Standard and Wealthsimple Tax are marked free for everyone.

## Key facts

- Certified products for 2025 returns: 17 (CRA certified software list)
- Free for everyone on the CRA list: Better Tax, GenuTax Standard, Wealthsimple Tax (optional paid plans)
- TurboTax Canada Desktop: Windows only; Basic $27 for 4 returns to Home & Business $150 for 12
- NETFILE window, current season: February 23, 2026 to January 29, 2027
- Certified list for 2026 returns: Not yet published (expected before NETFILE opens in 2027)

## What is the best tax software in Canada?

The best tax software in Canada for you is the cheapest CRA-certified product that runs on your device and handles every slip and schedule on your return. Every certified program sends the same T1 data to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), so the differences are price, platform, return limits and how much hand-holding you get.

NETFILE is the CRA service that lets you send your own T1 income tax and benefit return online, and only software certified for that tax year can use it. The CRA publishes a new list each year; for 2025 returns, filed in 2026, it lists 17 products ([CRA certified software](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html)).

> **How this guide was built:** Prices and features come from each developer's own pages, checked in September 2026 for the 2025 tax year. 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.

## What does CRA certification guarantee?

Certification guarantees that a program can produce a return file the CRA's NETFILE system accepts for that tax year. It does not mean the CRA recommends the product, checks its math for your situation or reviews its privacy policy.

The CRA says the use of certified software is the responsibility of the user and the developer, and that it cannot be held responsible if omissions or programming errors affect the amounts calculated. It also states that it does not review developers' privacy policies, so reading those is up to you.

- Check the list for the exact tax year you are filing, because certification is granted year by year.
- Confirm the product is certified for the platform you plan to use; the CRA marks each product online, download or mobile.
- If you live in Quebec, confirm the product is also certified by Revenu Quebec for the TP-1 provincial return.

## Best tax filing software in Canada compared

The table covers the products Canadians search for most, using the CRA's 2025 list for platform and free status and the developers' pages for prices. All prices are in Canadian dollars before sales tax.

| Product | Platforms (CRA list) | Cost for 2025 returns | Worth knowing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wealthsimple Tax | Online | Basic pay what you want, including $0; Plus $40; Pro $80 | Basic covers up to 2 returns per account; web only |
| TurboTax Canada | Online, download, mobile | Free for simple returns; Desktop Basic $27 to Home & Business $150 | Desktop is Windows only |
| UFile | Online, download | ONLINE $20.95 for the family head; free if total income is $20,000 or less | UFile for Windows: UFile 4 at $26.99, UFile 12 at $42.99 |
| H&R Block Canada | Online | Free offering based on tax situation, paid tiers above | Free tier depends on your return |
| StudioTax | Download, mobile | $17.50 licence for up to 10 returns; free at $20,000 income or less | Mac edition cannot do the Quebec return |
| GenuTax Standard | Download | Free | Windows program; donations accepted |

Selected certified products for 2025 returns (CRA list and developer pages, September 2026)

Better Tax, CloudTax, AdvTax, EachTax, FastnEasyTax, FutureTax, myTaxExpress, Tax Chopper, TaxFreeway, TaxTron and WebTax4U.ca complete the 2025 list. For the cheapest routes, including clinics and SimpleFile, see [free tax software in Canada](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/choosing-software/free-tax-software-canada).

## Which Canadian tax software supports Auto-fill my return?

Auto-fill my return is a CRA service that lets certified software pull slips and other information the CRA has on file into your return after you sign in with your CRA account inside the program ([CRA, Auto-fill my return](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax/personal-income-tax/how-file/tax-software/complete-return/auto-fill.html)). Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax Canada, UFile, H&R Block Canada and StudioTax all offer it.

The feature is only as complete as the CRA's records. The CRA says it should receive most slips from employers and institutions by the end of February and have them available by mid-March, so an early-February return may be missing a T4 or T5 in any product. If slips still do not load, see [Auto-fill my return not working](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/netfile-errors/auto-fill-my-return-not-working).

## Best tax software for Mac, Windows and the web in Canada

On a Mac, choose a web product or StudioTax. TurboTax Canada's desktop editions are Windows only, and Intuit points Mac users to TurboTax Online. StudioTax for Mac runs on macOS 10.15 Catalina through macOS 26 Tahoe but is English only and cannot prepare the Quebec return.

On Windows, a download product keeps the return file on your own computer. TurboTax Desktop allows installation on up to 3 computers you own, and UFile lists Windows 11 for UFile for Windows, with no official support left for Windows 10. GenuTax is also a free Windows program that prepares returns back to 2003 and can NETFILE 2018 to 2025.

In a browser, Wealthsimple Tax, UFile ONLINE and TurboTax Online need no install, but your return lives in the vendor's account. Wealthsimple Tax is web only; its mobile app is no longer supported for tax.

## Which product fits your return?

### Employment income and a few credits

Any free option works. TurboTax Free covers employment and pension income, tips, RRSP contributions, child care, tuition, disability and caregiver amounts, but excludes donations, medical expenses, investments, rental income and self-employment.

### Landlords, investors and the self-employed

Wealthsimple Tax lists rental income, self-employment and capital gains among the situations it handles, and its plans are set by number of returns and level of support rather than by income type. On TurboTax Desktop, rental property starts at Premier ($100, 12 returns) and self-employment at Home & Business ($150, 12 returns). Our [Wealthsimple Tax vs TurboTax](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/choosing-software/wealthsimple-tax-vs-turbotax) comparison goes deeper.

### Worked example: a family of four

Two parents with T4 income and two teens with summer jobs need four returns. Wealthsimple Basic allows two per account, so four returns on one account means Plus at $40. TurboTax Desktop Basic at $27 includes four returns, and UFile ONLINE would cost $20.95 + $16.00 + $10.00 + $10.00 = $56.95 before tax.

## Is Reddit right about the best tax software in Canada?

Forum threads on the best tax software in Canada mostly reflect one filer's return in one season. A product praised by a student with a single T4 can cost a landlord real money, and price and certification change every year.

Use threads to find products worth checking, then confirm three things on official pages: the CRA list for your tax year, the developer's current price for your number of returns, and platform support for your device.

## Best tax software in Canada for 2026 returns

The CRA has not yet published its certified list for 2026 returns, and the 2027 NETFILE opening date is not yet announced; the CRA usually confirms it in January or February. For 2025 returns, NETFILE and ReFILE opened on February 23, 2026 and run until January 29, 2027 ([CRA NETFILE eligibility](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/netfile-overview/eligibility.html)).

Prices for the 2026 tax year are not yet announced by any of the vendors above. Release timing is tracked on our [UFile release date](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/canadian-software/ufile-release-date) page, and the US side is covered in the [best tax software](https://taxsoftwaredesk.com/choosing-software) guide.

## Common questions

### Which Canadian tax software is NETFILE certified?

For 2025 returns the CRA certified 17 products, including Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax, UFile, H&R Block Tax Software, StudioTax, GenuTax Standard and Better Tax. The list is renewed each tax year on the CRA's certified software page.

### Is Wealthsimple Tax or TurboTax better in Canada?

Wealthsimple Tax suits people happy to work in a browser who want a $0 option even with rental or self-employment income. TurboTax Canada suits Windows users who want a desktop file or a more guided interview, and it charges more for complex returns.

### What is the best free tax software in Canada?

Better Tax, GenuTax Standard and Wealthsimple Tax are the three products the CRA marks as free on its 2025 list. The others are free only when your return meets the developer's conditions, such as income of $20,000 or less.

### Can I use Canadian tax software on a Mac?

Yes, through any web-based product or StudioTax for Mac. TurboTax Canada Desktop and UFile for Windows run on Windows only.

### Does it matter which tax software I use for my refund?

Not for the refund amount if your entries are the same, because every certified product applies the same tax rules and sends the same data to the CRA. Differences are in price, prompts and how easily you spot missed credits.

## 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: Auto-fill my return](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax/personal-income-tax/how-file/tax-software/complete-return/auto-fill.html)
- [Wealthsimple Tax plans](https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax)
- [TurboTax Canada desktop products](https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tax/software/desktop)
- [UFile Help Centre: Before you start](https://www.ufile.ca/help/before-you-start)