Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
We couldn’t confirm a working TurboTax discount code, and you may not need one. The CRA says some certified programs let you file free if your income is modest or your tax situation is simple, so check that before you pay for anything.
Why you won’t find a TurboTax discount code here
Prices and promotions for tax software change all the time, and none of them can be checked against an official source. A code from a random site may be expired, may never have existed, or may sit on a copy of the real page that asks for your personal details. So we’ve listed none.
The safer way to save is to pick software whose free tier fits your return. Then look at the price on the provider’s own site before you type in a single number.
Does tax software have to be CRA certified?
For online filing, yes. A return sent through NETFILE has to be prepared with CRA-certified software or a certified web application. The CRA publishes the list each year, and the 2025 list had seventeen providers, among them TurboTax, CloudTax and Wealthsimple Tax (those are examples, not a ranking). A program that isn’t on the list can’t send your return through NETFILE, full stop.
NETFILE and ReFILE opened on February 23, 2026 and stay open until January 29, 2027. In that window you can send returns for the tax years 2018 to 2025. Free options depend on the year, on your income and, in some cases, on your province, so read the eligibility rules first.
What to check before you pick a program
Run through these seven questions. The last few are the ones people tend to skip.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the program on the CRA certified list? | Only certified software can file by NETFILE |
| Does the free tier cover my slips and credits? | Some situations, such as self-employment or rental income, may need a paid tier |
| What does each extra form cost? | Fees can grow with each schedule you add |
| Does it cover my province or Quebec? | Quebec has its own return |
| Can I file a prior year? | Older returns may need different software |
| What does it do with my data? | The CRA says you are responsible for the privacy policy you accept |
| Is support included? | Contact the developer directly for help with the program |
Is a missed claim worth more than the software fee?
Usually, yes. Picture someone in Ontario with $60,000 of taxable income who puts $5,000 into an RRSP. The RRSP calculator shows $1,217 of tax saved, so the contribution really costs $3,783. Forget to claim it and you’ve lost more than most programs would ever charge you.
To see where you stand before you start, try the tax refund calculator. With its default sample figures it shows a refund of $1,295.35 on income tax of $12,704.65. If the software’s answer lands far from your estimate, go back and look at your slips and credits.
How can I check my own numbers first?
Put your income through the income tax calculator before you open any program. Then run the tax credits calculator, which covers claims people often skip, like medical costs and donations. The RRSP calculator tests a deduction against your room. When your estimate and the software agree, you can relax a bit.
Mistakes that cost money
- Paying for a tier you don’t need. Look at what the free version includes first.
- Trusting a code from an unknown site. Type the provider’s address yourself.
- Entering all your data before you see the final price, since some programs show fees only at the end.
- Assuming free means every form is covered. It differs by provider.
- Skipping the summary. The software only knows what you typed in.
Which program is best, cheapest or fastest? We can’t say. That takes current prices and hands-on tests we didn’t have.
Where the numbers come from
The facts about certified software, free options and the NETFILE dates come from the Canada Revenue Agency page on finding certified tax software, read in September 2026. The RRSP and refund figures come from the calculators on this site, which use 2026 tax data. The site isn’t connected to the CRA or to any software company, and it doesn’t endorse a product.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a TurboTax discount code for Canada?
We couldn't confirm one. Prices and promotions change, so check the price on the provider's own site.
Can I file my taxes for free in Canada?
Often, yes. The CRA says some certified programs offer free options if your income is modest or your situation is simple, though the rules differ by provider.
Does tax software have to be CRA certified?
For online filing, yes. A return sent by NETFILE must be prepared with CRA-certified software or a certified web application.
Until when can I file by NETFILE?
NETFILE opened on February 23, 2026 and stays open until January 29, 2027 for returns from 2018 to 2025.
How can I check the software result?
Run your figures through an estimator first. If the refund is far off, go back over your slips and credits.
- 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.