Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
Is TurboTax Canada free? For some people it is, but “free” is set by each software company and changes by year. The CRA’s list of certified tax software says some products may be free if your income is modest and your tax situation is simple, and it tells you to check each provider’s site.
What does free tax software usually mean?
It usually means free for a simple return, and a paid step if you need more forms. The CRA doesn’t set those rules. Its certified software page only says that, depending on the year, some software offers free options if you have a modest income, a simple tax situation or meet other conditions the provider names.
We couldn’t confirm what any one product’s free version covers this year, so we won’t tell you that TurboTax or any other name is free for you. It’s named here as an example. Read the product’s own page and look for the forms you need. If a page says free, look for the small print about which slips, credits and provinces the free tier includes, and whether the price changes once you add a form.
The same goes for coupon offers and “free to file” banners. We haven’t checked any, and we don’t make any claims about them.
How do you check that a program is allowed to file?
Use the CRA’s page on certified tax software. Software that isn’t on it can’t send your return online through NETFILE. The same page tells you to check the developer’s website for the most recently updated version of the software.
The CRA also lists ReFILE, for amending a return you’ve already sent. Check which years it covers before you rely on it.
What should you look for on the free tier?
Match the free version to your slips. Have a T4 and a few receipts? A basic tier may be enough. Have T5 investment slips, self-employment income or a home sale? Read the fine print before you start, because that’s where an upgrade prompt tends to appear.
| Your situation | Question to answer before you enter data |
|---|---|
| One T4, a few credits | Does the free tier cover the credits I plan to claim? |
| Investment slips | Are capital gains and dividends included? |
| Self-employed | Is business income included, and is the return still free? |
| Amending a return | Is ReFILE for the year I need supported? |
Is a free return worth doing yourself?
Mostly, yes.
For most employees, yes. You’re typing numbers from slips into boxes. The trouble starts when the program asks a question you can’t answer, like how to treat a sale or a home office. Then a preparer or a clinic is the better step, and you can look at the options in our guide to tax prep near me.
Software won’t tell you if your numbers look sensible. Do a sanity check with the income tax calculator before you send. On $75,000 of Ontario employment income, our tax refund calculator shows $12,704.65 of income tax, so a result miles from that with a plain T4 deserves a second look.
Mistakes to avoid with free software
A few catch people every spring, and every one of them is avoidable if you read the first screen before you type anything.
- Entering all your data before you learn the free tier doesn’t cover you.
- Skipping the credits it doesn’t ask about. Our tax credits calculator lists what you might be missing.
- Sending the return without a copy saved for your records.
- Missing the date. For the 2025 return it was 30 April 2026, or 15 June for the self-employed, with payment due 30 April.
Where the numbers come from
Everything about certification, free options and ReFILE comes from the CRA’s find certified tax software page. Due dates are from the CRA’s page for the 2025 return. We didn’t verify any prices, features or coupon offers of a named product, and none appear here.
Frequently asked questions
Is TurboTax Canada free?
We couldn't confirm what any product's free version covers this year. Check the provider's own page and the forms you need.
Who decides if tax software is free?
The software provider. The CRA says to check each provider's website to see which options may be free.
How do I know software can file online?
It must be on the CRA's list of certified tax software, which you find on Canada.ca.
Can I fix a return I already filed?
The CRA lists ReFILE for amended returns in certified software. Check the years it covers.
Is there free help that isn't software?
Yes. Volunteer clinics run by community organizations help people with modest income and simple returns.
- 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.