Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
Stuck on TurboTax help? We’re assuming you mean the Canadian tax software product, and that you want to get unstuck on a return, not reach a company. We can’t speak for any product’s support, prices or features. What we can do is show you how to check your own numbers, so you know whether the software or your input is off.
How do you check that the software is certified?
The CRA certifies tax software developed by third parties each year, and it publishes a list of certified products. Any product you use to send a return through NETFILE has to be on it. So before you spend hours in one, look for the current year’s version on that CRA list. That goes for TurboTax, our one named example, and for any other. The CRA’s NETFILE overview explains how the service works.
How do you sanity check the result with a calculator?
Software asks a lot of questions, and one wrong box can change the answer, so before you trust the total on the final screen, run a quick estimate of your own. On $60,000 of employment income in Ontario, our income tax calculator gives $8,320.50 of federal and Ontario income tax. CPP and EI take another $4,339.75.
Now compare. If your software shows a total far from that, look for the cause. A typo in an income box is the usual culprit, or a slip entered twice. Do the same for a refund. With $9,000 withheld on that $60,000, the tax refund calculator shows $679.50 back.
| Employment income (Ontario) | Income tax | CPP and EI | Left after both |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $8,320.50 | $4,339.75 | $47,339.75 |
| $80,000 | $14,127.85 | $5,569.52 | $60,302.63 |
| $85,000 | $15,551.05 | $5,769.52 | $63,679.43 |
Our tool uses the basic personal amount and standard credits only. It doesn’t include benefits, refundable credits or other claims. A small gap is normal, and a gap of thousands isn’t.
What if the software won’t accept an entry?
Go back one step before you go forward. Most error messages come from a box that’s blank, a slip number typed with the wrong digit, or a figure in the wrong line. Compare the box on the screen with the same box on your paper slip, character by character. If a slip shows an amount in a box the software doesn’t ask about, you probably picked the wrong slip type. Start the slip again and watch the prompts.
What about the free version?
The CRA says free options depend on your income or tax situation, and that some products use pay-what-you-want. So don’t assume. Read what the free tier covers before you enter anything, especially if you have self-employment income, and note when it asks you to upgrade. We haven’t verified any price or plan.
What should self-employed people and late filers watch for?
If you’re self-employed, the CPP part is where people get confused, and it’s easy to see why. Enter $80,000 of net business income in Ontario, our self-employed tax calculator shows $13,233.57 of income tax and $8,892.90 of CPP. That’s $22,126.47 together, because you pay both halves of CPP. If your software’s total is far lower, check whether the CPP part was included. Our tool leaves out EI and GST/HST, so don’t expect an exact match.
Another one is the deadline. The CRA lists April 30, 2026 for most people’s 2025 return, and June 15, 2026 if you or your spouse ran a business. Tax owing was due April 30 either way. NETFILE stays open for the 2025 return until January 29, 2027, so you can still send it.
Missing slip? Estimate it from a stub or statement, then fix it when the real one turns up.
When isn’t software the answer?
Some returns are better handed over. Rental property, a corporation, or a foreign income situation may call for a preparer certified for EFILE, per the CRA’s page on preparers. If you go that route, get a copy of the return and never sign a blank form. Or, if your income is modest and the return is simple, try a free tax clinic first.
Same product next year? Your call. We can’t rank them. If it saved you a few bucks and a headache, great, and if not, the list of certified software is long.
How we checked the figures
Certification, NETFILE dates and free-software notes come from Canada Revenue Agency pages on tax software and the 2025 return. Tax examples come from our calculators, using 2026 federal and Ontario rates. We aren’t affiliated with Intuit or any government body.
Frequently asked questions
Is TurboTax the same as the CRA?
No. It's a private product, and the CRA only certifies software each year so it can send returns through NETFILE. We aren't affiliated with either.
How can I tell if my tax software result is wrong?
Estimate your tax with a calculator and compare. A big gap usually means a wrong income box or a slip entered twice.
Can I still file my 2025 return with software?
Yes for now. The CRA says NETFILE and ReFILE stay open until January 29, 2027.
Is there a free version?
The CRA says free options depend on your income or situation, and some products use pay-what-you-want. We haven't verified any product's plans or prices.
When should I use a preparer instead?
For rental property, foreign income or a corporation. Choose one certified for EFILE and ask for a copy of what they send.
- 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