

11:39 am
September 7, 2018

savemoresaveoften said
Income tax return are the most important documents in my mind (all personal info PLUS SIN number on there). For me I will rather pay to have a copy on my computer rather than do everything online. Even if they pay me to do it online, I wont.
All your personal information and your SIN are already online on the CRA database. You can sign in to see all this info under "My Account". (cra.gc.ca)
11:47 am
April 6, 2013

topgun said
You are paying for a licence when you purchase Turbotax. Free edition and all paid editions have the same options. I am not happy using the free online edition. I like having the program and data files on my computer. If you are preparing 4 or less returns the Basic Edition @ $19.99 + tax works.
The various TurboTax editions are not the same. However, the differences are not quite what the Intuit marketing suggests. That kind of marketing and high prices were why I avoided TurboTax in the past.
The marketing suggests that one had to buy the $74.99 TurboTax Premier edition to file a return with, for example, investment income and capital gains. I think some people figured out that wasn't the case really.
What one gets with the Premier edition is extra screens and documentation to help one report investment income and capital gains. But, with the lower priced editions, people reported that they could still access "Schedule 3" to report capital gains and the "Statement of investment income, carrying charges, and interest expenses" in the Worksheet to report investment.
Kind of like paying extra for a car that has a bright lighted circle around the ignition key switch to show the driver where to insert the key. If one knows what to look for, one can figure out where the ignition key goes without paying for that option.
12:59 pm
March 30, 2017

canadian.100 said
All your personal information and your SIN are already online on the CRA database. You can sign in to see all this info under "My Account". (cra.gc.ca)
I know. If CRA is hacked and my personal data leaked is one thing I cant avoid. But uploading my info to a 3rd party online income tax return to save a few dollars is a big No No for me, and that I have full control over. And I am more tech saavy than most regardless of age 🙂
2:23 pm
May 30, 2019

Has anyone ever tried using online software for corporate returns? I have a holding company with just GICs and stocks in it, not an active company. Seems ridiculous to pay $4000/yr for an accountant to do it when the only transactions are gic T5's and calculating capital gains on sold stocks. Anybody have any lower cost options?
For the record i also like SimpleTax. Have used four years and very easy to do, far better than a paper return.
3:05 pm
April 6, 2013

Corporate returns are different. It's not the T1 General return. It is a T2 Corporate return.
You'll need something like TaxTron Corporate for Windows for around $100.
4:28 pm
February 16, 2013

capnukr said
Has anyone ever tried using online software for corporate returns?
I actually download free copies of both FutureTaxT2 and T2Express for my Corporation's tax return. I put the numbers into both softwares to make sure I get the same answer in both and then I key into "fillable" PDF copies of the T2 and related forms from the CRA website. So I end up mailing in a hard copy and usually get my NOA within 6 weeks to 3 months time. And all for free other than postage. The only issue is that you must feel comfortable putting together your own financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Statement of Retained Earnings). Maybe you should shop around for a cheaper accountant?
5:14 pm
May 30, 2019

Thanks for the info to both of you. I've always done my personal return and am pretty comfortable with that but given the volume of transactions in my business I've always used an accountant. But now that I've sold it and just have my holding company, this seems like a great option. Thanks again!
9:27 am
December 12, 2009

9:29 am
December 12, 2009

canadian.100 said
Doug said
SimpleTax.Failing that, TurboTax Free
Both free and unrestricted, other than the mandatory CRA limit of 20 returns that Norman identified earlier. Clean, uncomplicated UI + UX. Both just work.
Enough said.
Cheers,
DougThe TurboTax website indicates the free software is for "simple" returns. So guess it will not work if you have a T-5 for Dividends or you have Capital Gains.
Nope, it will. That's just marketing lingo to upsell you to premium product. If SimpleTax can do it, TurboTax Free Online can do it.
Cheers,
Doug
9:30 am
December 12, 2009

Norman1 said
Doug said
SimpleTax.Failing that, TurboTax Free
Both free and unrestricted, other than the mandatory CRA limit of 20 returns that Norman identified earlier. Clean, uncomplicated UI + UX. Both just work.
…
COIN said
Thanks. Does one or both work on Windows 7 and can the return be done offline until ready to file?
SimpleTax is online only.
The last TurboTax Free For Windows was for tax year 2018.
![]()
So? Who cares? It's time to move away from software-based products and maintaining multiple installations for each tax year.
Cheers,
Doug
Please write your comments in the forum.