Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
Can you file with turbo tax canada free of charge? We couldn’t confirm what any product’s free version covers or costs this year, and that changes by season and by your situation, so check the product’s own page. (We’ve assumed you mean TurboTax Canada.) What we can confirm is how filing for free works in Canada, and what to ask before you type in a single slip.
Is there a way to file your taxes for free?
Yes, more than one. The CRA certifies tax software, and its page says that if you have a modest income, most software will prepare a basic return for free, otherwise there’s usually a fee. Some programs let you pay what you want. Others give away a free tier based on your tax situation or income.
So “free” rarely means free for everyone. It means free for a certain kind of return.
If your return is simple and your income is modest, there’s a second route. The CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program runs free clinics staffed by volunteers. The CRA’s page says they’re for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation, and it has a clinic search. We’ve left out the income limits because the CRA’s own pages don’t agree, so read them on the clinic page.
What should a free tax product cover?
Ask these before you start. They save you from reaching the last screen and finding a price.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is it on the CRA’s certified list? | Only certified software can send a return through NETFILE |
| Does the free tier handle your slips? | Ask about T4, T5, RRSP receipts, tuition and self-employment income, one by one |
| Does it cover your province or territory? | Confirm that your provincial return is included, not only the federal one |
| What does help from a person cost? | Ask whether support or a review by a person is included |
| Can you print or download a copy? | You’ll want one for your records |
The table lists questions, not claims about any product. We haven’t verified what a given provider charges.
How does a certified program send your return?
Through NETFILE. For the 2025 return, it opened on 23 February 2026 and runs until 29 January 2027, and it also accepts older returns back to 2018. The software does the maths and the sending. You’re still the one who signs off on every number.
That’s why a quick cross-check helps. An Ontario employee earning $60,000 with $8,500 of tax withheld should see a refund near $179.50 in the tax refund calculator. If your software shows something very different, look for a slip or a deduction you’ve entered twice.
Put in a $3,000 RRSP and the same person’s tax falls from $8,320.50 to $7,566.72. You can test your own figures in the income tax calculator.
Free filing mistakes to avoid
Paying for an upgrade you didn’t need. Read each offer before you click through, and decide if your return really needs it.
Using software that isn’t certified. The CRA publishes the list of programs that work with NETFILE, and you can find it on its tax software page.
Skipping credits because the free screen doesn’t ask. Federal credits like the disability amount or medical expenses are worked out in the tax credits calculator, which gives you a number to compare. For the full filing steps, see our guide to the tax declaration in Canada.
And forgetting the date. For the 2025 return it was 30 April 2026. The 2026 date isn’t published yet.
Where the numbers come from
Facts on certified software, NETFILE dates and free clinics come from the Canada Revenue Agency’s pages on tax software, NETFILE and the volunteer tax program. Our examples use 2026 federal and Ontario tax data. We haven’t verified any price, discount or feature of a named product, and we have no link with any tax software company or the CRA.
Frequently asked questions
Is TurboTax free in Canada?
We couldn't confirm what its free version covers or costs this year. Check the product's own page and ask what your return needs.
Which tax software can file for free?
The CRA says most certified software prepares a basic return free for modest incomes, and some use pay-what-you-want. Free offers depend on your income or tax situation.
Are there free tax clinics in Canada?
Yes. The CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program runs free clinics for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation.
How do I know software is CRA-certified?
The CRA lists certified software on its tax software page. Only certified programs can send a return through NETFILE.
When does NETFILE open and close?
For the 2025 return it opened on 23 February 2026 and stays open until 29 January 2027.
- How to choose a tax preparer in Canada
How to decide if you need a tax preparer, what a preparer does, the questions to ask before you hire one and where to find free help in Canada
Information only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns or offer tax services, and we have no connection with the CRA, Revenu Québec, any government or any company named on this page. Check the figures that matter with an official source or a qualified professional.