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Tax software for your personal return only has to do one thing well: give the CRA the right numbers. The CRA certifies programs each year, and its list for the 2025 return shows 16 of them, three of which are completely free. A name like TurboTax Deluxe is one paid tier among many, and we can’t tell you what any tier includes or costs, because we couldn’t confirm that on an official page.
What does certified tax software mean?
Certified means the company has gone through the CRA’s process, so the program can send your return through NETFILE. It doesn’t mean the CRA checked the maths. The CRA says using the software is the responsibility of you and the developer, and it isn’t responsible if a programming error changes what you owe.
The CRA also says it doesn’t look at the privacy policies of the developers. So that reading is yours to do, and ten minutes spent on it pays off before you type in your SIN and your address.
Which tax software is free?
On the CRA’s list, three programs are free for everyone: Better Tax, GenuTax Standard and Wealthsimple Tax. Others are free only if your situation fits, and the CRA names the usual conditions in the table below.
| Free option depends on | What it means |
|---|---|
| Income | A modest income |
| Return | A simple tax situation |
| Where you live | Certain provinces or territories |
Costs for the rest vary with income and with how complicated the return is, and the CRA gives no single price. A paid edition usually matters when your return has something a free version leaves out. Check the CRA list’s notes on limitations for the program you’re considering, since that’s where restrictions are recorded.
Does the software catch what you miss?
Mostly no. It asks questions and adds up your answers, but it can’t know that you paid for something you never mentioned. Here’s a test we ran with the income tax calculator. Someone in Ontario earns $60,000 and pays $8,320 in federal and Ontario tax. Add a $5,000 deduction they forgot, such as an RRSP contribution, and the tax drops to $7,104.
That’s a $1,217 difference, and no program would have found it without you entering the contribution. Software is only as good as the slips and receipts you give it. Sounds obvious. It’s also where most of the money gets lost. The tax credits calculator is a decent prompt for what you might have forgotten, though it covers federal credits only.
How do you choose between them?
Start with the free ones. Move up only if the CRA’s notes say your situation isn’t supported, for example when you have rental income or a business on the side. Ask three things. Does it support your return, including self-employment or rental income? Can you get a copy of the return as a file afterwards? And what does it say it does with your data?
For a quick sense of what to expect, run the tax refund calculator first. If the software’s number is far off from yours, look for a missing slip before you file.
NETFILE is open for 2025 returns from February 23, 2026 to January 29, 2027. A long window. The filing deadline, though, is still April 30, 2026 for most people, and that’s the one that counts.
Where the numbers come from
The software counts, free program names, conditions and dates come from the CRA’s certified software page for the NETFILE program, read in September 2026. Tax figures come from our calculators, which use 2026 federal and Ontario rates. The CRA doesn’t endorse any product, and neither do we.
Frequently asked questions
Is TurboTax Deluxe worth paying for?
We couldn't confirm prices or features of any edition on an official page, so we make no claim. Check what the edition supports for your return, and compare it against the free certified programs.
Does the CRA approve tax software?
It certifies programs so they can send returns through NETFILE. It doesn't endorse products, and it isn't responsible for calculation errors caused by the software.
Which programs are free for everyone?
On the CRA list for 2025 returns, Better Tax, GenuTax Standard and Wealthsimple Tax are shown as free. Others are free only for some situations.
Does the CRA check the privacy policies?
No. The CRA says it doesn't look at the privacy policies of software developers, so you should read them yourself.
When can I use NETFILE?
For 2025 returns it runs from February 23, 2026 to January 29, 2027.
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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.