File Your Canadian Taxes Online (2026 Guide)

Canadians have several ways to file their income tax returns: hire an accountant, use a tax preparation company, enter information into tax software, or complete and mail a paper T1 General to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This article focuses on popular online options available in Canada—H&R Block, Wealthsimple Tax, Intuit TurboTax, UFile and GenuTax—so you can choose the service that best fits your situation.

Tax tips and insights: Your 2023 personal income tax guideREAD NOW

How to use H&R Block online tax software

Founded in 1955 and operating more than 1,000 offices across Canada, H&R Block is a well-known name in tax preparation. It offers both in-person and online services and provides tiered packages for DIY filers as well as full-service options. H&R Block’s online plans support a range of tax situations, including employment, rental properties, foreign income, self-employment and side gigs.

To get started, pick the online package that matches your needs. You can import tax slips directly from the CRA and use the software’s SmartSearch tool to centralize slip information, reducing the need to jump between forms. The program searches for applicable credits and deductions automatically. If you want expert help, on-screen live assistance is available for an additional fee. When your return is ready, you can file electronically using Netfile to send your return to the CRA or Revenu Québec.

H&R Block appeals to users who value a long-standing company with multiple support channels, including in-person offices, phone help and optional audit protection or priority support.

Cost: Free for a simple return; $19.99 for Deluxe (claims and credits); $34.99 for Premier (includes investments, rental and foreign income); $44.99 for Self-Employed.
Features: SmartSearch for tax slips; DeductionPro donation calculator; web and mobile access; free filing for those 25 and under; pay-per-use filing help starting at $39.99; optional paid audit protection and priority support.
Refund turn-around time: As few as eight days with direct deposit.

Income Tax Guide for Canadians

Deadlines, tax tips and more

read now

How to use Wealthsimple Tax

Originally launched as SimpleTax in 2012 and acquired by Wealthsimple in 2019, Wealthsimple Tax provides a robust, no-cost option for Canadians. The service operates on a pay-what-you-want model, allowing users to tip for the service rather than selecting a paid tier.

Wealthsimple Tax offers a single, full-featured platform that handles self-employment, small business and investment property income. Key features include importing prior-year returns, automatically importing and filling CRA slips, deduction searches, an RRSP maximizer calculator, and Netfile submission. It also supports cryptocurrency by letting you link wallets to auto-fill gains and losses.

Support is available via email 24/7; phone and live chat are not currently offered. Wealthsimple Tax backs its product with a maximum refund guarantee: if you find a better refund elsewhere, the company will reimburse up to $50 of what you paid to file.

Cost: Free (pay-as-you-wish tipping model).
Features: Import slips and auto-fill returns; deduction search; crypto wallet integration; RRSP maximizer; 24/7 email support; maximum refund guarantee.
Refund turn-around time: As few as eight days with direct deposit.

How to use Intuit TurboTax

TurboTax, from Intuit Canada (the maker of QuickBooks), is a popular online tax-filing option that offers multiple products and support tiers. Available options include Free, Deluxe and Premier products, each of which can be used solo or with levels of assistance ranging from guided help to review and full service by a tax expert.

The Free product covers simple returns filed entirely by you. Deluxe adds capabilities for medical expenses and charitable donations and searches for additional deductions. Premier is aimed at filers with investments or rental income. Paid review or full-service help is available across plans for an extra fee.

Cost: Free for simple returns; $20.99 for Deluxe; $39.99 for Premier; full-service Self-Employed tier can cost more.
Features: Pay when you file; community access; tax calculators; RRSP savings tools; audit support; import past TurboTax data; web and mobile access; files via Netfile and Netfile Quebec.
Refund turn-around time: As few as eight days with direct deposit; paper cheques can take longer.

How to use UFile

UFile is a cost-effective choice that offers free filing for eligible students through a partnership with the Canadian Federation of Students. Eligibility requires attending school in the tax year, paying tuition, and being the primary family member for tax purposes. Low-income taxpayers earning $20,000 or less can also file free.

For others, UFile provides affordable paid options that support self-employed filers, investment income and rental properties. The premium package includes priority support and agent chat. UFile runs as a web app and also offers desktop software for Windows; there is no mobile-only app.

Cost: Free for simple returns; $20.95 for claims, credits, investment, rental properties and self-employment; additional fees apply for spouse and dependants.
Features: Automatic CRA slip download and auto-fill; Quebec-specific forms and Netfile Quebec support; free Netfile for students and low-income users.
Refund turn-around time: Up to two weeks in most cases.

How to use GenuTax

GenuTax is a free filing option that’s especially useful if you have multiple years of unfiled returns. It supports filings going back to 2003 and handles freelancers, investors and rental income. The interface is utilitarian and dated, but it guides you through each step clearly.

GenuTax includes auto-fill capabilities for returns from 2017 onward and allows you to re-file modified returns for some recent years. It is Windows-only and does not run on Apple devices or mobile platforms. For simple returns, GenuTax operates on a pay-what-you-want basis.

Cost: Free (pay-as-you-wish model).
Features: Automatic CRA slip download and auto-fill for 2017+; ability to re-file modified returns for supported years.
Refund turn-around time: As few as eight days with direct deposit.

Newsletter

Get free MoneySense financial tips, news & advice in your inbox.

subscribe now

Which tax filing software should you use?

Your choice depends on how simple or complex your tax situation is. If you’re comfortable preparing your return after consulting an income tax guide, a free, no-frills service can save you money. For straightforward employment income, many free tiers will work well. If your taxes include self-employment, rental properties, foreign income or investments, consider a higher-tier product or paying for expert assistance to ensure you claim all eligible deductions and credits.

When comparing services, consider cost, ease of importing CRA slips, Netfile availability, support options, and specialized features like RRSP maximizers or cryptocurrency support. Choose the product that balances affordability with the features and help you need to file accurately and confidently.