WS
Wealthsimple Tax
Pay-what-you-want
Strengths: Best overall UX, slip import, strong fit for common investing cases.
Limits: Less comfortable once the return becomes deeply business-oriented or unusually complex.
Quick software comparison
| Software | Free | Quebec | Federal | E-file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WSWealthsimple Tax Simple to intermediate employment income, investments, crypto | Pay-what-you-want | Yes | Yes | NETFILE + ImpotNet |
HRH&R Block First-time filers, employees, retirees | Free on simple cases | Yes | Yes | NETFILE + ImpotNet |
TTTurboTax Straightforward employment-only returns | Free on simple cases | Yes | Yes | NETFILE + ImpotNet |
UFUFile Students, modest income, somewhat broader tax situations | Free in limited cases | Yes | Yes | NETFILE + ImpotNet |
HR
H&R Block
Free on simple cases
Strengths: Highly guided flow and simpler language for less confident filers.
Limits: Upsells to paid tiers relatively quickly once the return gets less standard.
TT
TurboTax
Free on simple cases
Strengths: Very well-known product with solid onboarding and easy slip import.
Limits: Pricing rises quickly once the file moves beyond a basic return.
UF
UFile
Free in limited cases
Strengths: Good value for modest-income filers and some lighter self-employment or rental cases.
Limits: Moves into paid use faster as income or complexity increases.
Which software fits which profile
01
Employee with only T4 and RL-1 slips
Wealthsimple Tax or H&R Block
On a simple return, ease of use matters more than advanced tax depth.
02
Student or modest income
UFile or a volunteer tax clinic
Total filing cost should stay close to zero, and clinics can handle many standard returns.
03
Self-employed
UFile or a fuller paid version
Forms such as T2125 change the equation quickly. Coverage needs to be checked before you start.
04
Investments, dividends, or crypto
Wealthsimple Tax
It remains one of the smoother tools for brokerage slips and common investing cases.
05
Very complex file
Tax preparer or accountant
Past a certain complexity level, the cost of a filing error is usually higher than the professional fee.
When a free tax clinic is better than software
1The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program can handle many simple returns for free through libraries and community organizations.
2It is often the best starting point when income is modest and you do not want to learn a software workflow for a standard return.
3Eligible files can be prepared for both the federal return and Quebec's TP-1 return at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Can free software also file the Quebec return?
Yes, as long as the tool is approved for both CRA and Revenu Quebec filing. The products above handle both layers in one workflow.
What is the difference between NETFILE and ImpotNet?
NETFILE is for the federal return sent to CRA. ImpotNet is the Quebec equivalent for the TP-1 return sent to Revenu Quebec.
Should I keep using the same software every year?
Not automatically. Staying with one product helps with continuity, but pricing, feature coverage, and usability should be reviewed when your tax profile changes.