Free Tax Software

[SkyRider]

Anybody know of any free tax software available to the public?

Thanks to info seen on Terb last year, I tried Studiotax and it worked fine. I tried Studiotax again this year but it seems the software is in a zip file and I couldn't install it on my computer.

P.S. I called the Royal Bank and they said they are offering a free tax preparation service to their clients through H&R Block. Update: I did a quick check of the Royal Bank website and it appears that H&R Block will do the tax calculation for free but will charge a nominal fee to file.

 

[toughb]

Anybody know of any free tax software available to the public?

Thanks to info seen on Terb last year, I tried Studiotax and it worked fine. I tried Studiotax again this year but it seems the software is in a zip file and I couldn't install it on my computer.

P.S. I called the Royal Bank and they said they are offering a free tax preparation service to their clients through H&R Block. Update: I did a quick check of the Royal Bank website and it appears that H&R Block will do the tax calculation for free but will charge a nominal fee to file.

Thought:- Do you want your bank to know all about the financial you?

 

[Keebler Elf]

Try again, you selected the zip file option. There's an .exe version right beside it.

http://www.studiotax.com/en/?page=2

 

[Sieggo]

The CRA website shows some free software

http://netfile.gc.ca/sftwr-eng.html

 

[Guy number two]

I always used Ufile before but this year I tried Studiotax, it worked great.

 

[SkyRider]

I always used Ufile before but this year I tried Studiotax, it worked great.

How did you install the software in your computer?

1) I did download the .exe version.
2) Tried to install it and had to be on the internet.
3) Then I saw a weird "7Zip" icon on my desktop but when I clicked on it all I got was my "download" folder with my download stuff. Also, it put a weird "search tab" on my toolbar. Where is the Studiotax software?

 

[Keebler Elf]

Click on the .exe version, save the file to your desktop, then double click on the file on your desktop. Installation will then begin. Once you're done you can delete the .exe file.

This is what I did and had no problems.

 

[SkyRider]

Click on the .exe version, save the file to your desktop, then double click on the file on your desktop. Installation will then begin. Once you're done you can delete the .exe file.
This is what I did and had no problems.

I think I know where I went wrong the first time. There was a green download button on the left side of the page and that was what I downloaded and installed. It was something called "7-Zip" and it messed up my desktop and placed a search tab on my toolbar. Thanks to you, I now see the .exe and zip versions which appears to be the real Studiotax and not that "7-Zip" thing.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I thought I heard a Turbo Tax ad on the radio where you can use their free trial version for a 'simple return'.

 

[Mister Chill]

Yes, the CRA provides "Netfile". It's free, and has improved over the years. But it's still very limited, and more suited to those with a relatively simple, straight-forward tax return.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I think I know where I went wrong the first time. There was a green download button on the left side of the page and that was what I downloaded and installed. It was something called "7-Zip" and it messed up my desktop and placed a search tab on my toolbar. Thanks to you, I now see the .exe and zip versions which appears to be the real Studiotax and not that "7-Zip" thing.

Ahh, yes. I did that too at first. The 7-Zip thing is a file that allows you to unzip folders (for those who don't already have a zip program).

 

[Moraff]

Yes, the CRA provides "Netfile". It's free, and has improved over the years. But it's still very limited, and more suited to those with a relatively simple, straight-forward tax return.

Netfile is the final step of providing CRA with the .tax file. You have to use third-party software to prepare it. CRA does not have any tax preparation software of it's own. And I would disagree with you on how limited it is. When you look at the restriction list for the most part by the time you run into any of them you are probably using the services of an accountant anyways who will use Efile instead. And some of the others are pretty obvious - can't file an adjustment, can't file the return if you've already had it filed by someone else, you're dead, etc.

 

[SkyRider]

Ahh, yes. I did that too at first. The 7-Zip thing is a file that allows you to unzip folders (for those who don't already have a zip program).

It is confusing. Anyway, I went ahead and installed 7-Zip. When I realized the mix-up, I uninstalled 7-Zip but now I can't open my icons (e.g. Firfox) on my desktop by left-clicking. Now I have to right click and then left click on "open" in the roll down menu. Also, the new search tab is still taking up place on my toolbar.

 

[Mister Chill]

Netfile is the final step of providing CRA with the .tax file. You have to use third-party software to prepare it. CRA does not have any tax preparation software of it's own. And I would disagree with you on how limited it is. When you look at the restriction list for the most part by the time you run into any of them you are probably using the services of an accountant anyways who will use Efile instead. And some of the others are pretty obvious - can't file an adjustment, can't file the return if you've already had it filed by someone else, you're dead, etc.

Yes Moraff, you're totally right about Netfile! I had forgotten about it as to your point, I do indeed rely on my accountant for all of this now.

 

[Guy number two]

It is confusing. Anyway, I went ahead and installed 7-Zip. When I realized the mix-up, I uninstalled 7-Zip but now I can't open my icons (e.g. Firfox) on my desktop by left-clicking. Now I have to right click and then left click on "open" in the roll down menu. Also, the new search tab is still taking up place on my toolbar.

I find it hard to believe 7-zip ruined your computer. 7-zip is a trusted archiving program that I and many other people have been using for years open zip/rar files. Never click ads on the side of a webpage, always take your time and make sure you are using the proper downloading link.

 

[SkyRider]

I find it hard to believe 7-zip ruined your computer. 7-zip is a trusted archiving program that I and many other people have been using for years open zip/rar files.

Thanks for the comforting words. Maybe, I'll reinstall 7-ZIP again but I'm now experiencing some issues (can't play my MP4 vids, can't do a print screen, Windows Installer doesn't work now, can't open the icons on my desktop by left clicking, have top right click) with my computer now that weren't problems before 7-ZIP.

Never click ads on the side of a webpage, always take your time and make sure you are using the proper downloading link.

Yes, I should have been more careful but it just wasn't that obvious it was an ad. Subsequently, I did manage to successfully(?) install Studiotax 2012 on my backup computer. Now I have to figure out why my primary computer is messed up. Glad I have 2 computers.