Being an accountant my friends always ask me to prepare their returns for them. I’m not a public accountant so I don’t use the latest and greatest tax software used by public tax accountants. Frankly those packages are really expensive. So I’ve always prepared my personal returns and friends returns using QuickTax.
I’ve heard about many programs over the years and as far as I’m concerned, if the CRA certifies them and my calculations are the same as the software then it really makes no difference who made the software. I had used QuickTax because it was reasonably priced and easily obtained.
Well this year I started to hear about a program called Studio Tax. I was a little sceptical because it was being touted as free. Anyway, I decided to check it out and down loaded the program and entered the tax information. The program was relatively easy and simple to use. My calculations checked out and I e-filed the return with no problems at all.
The program is tailored to most personal tax situations and you should review their home page and restrictions to see if the software is right for you. If it is, then it’s priced well for the frugal do-it-yourselfer.
The developers of the program are supported by Google’s Adsense ads (so Studio Tax is not what you’re looking for perhaps one of the Google ads shows something that is!) or by a donation via PayPal.
Update January 2010. Studio tax is still a great alternative to other paid software. Intuit has jumped in to the free software doain as well with their new free editions for students and those withsimple returns. Choose QuickTax FREE Tax Products. File Your Taxes Online Now.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I was skeptical when someone suggested StudioTax over QuickTax for my 2007 return. However when I started using StudioTax I was amazed at the accuracy and quality of the product, not to mention the easy to use user interface and the wonderful guides.
And of course, the price can’t be beat
Keep up the good work
-Manoj
I am an employee of the CRA, and being an employee there, we get to access ufile for free… I tried it, but not my style.
I have been using studiotax instead. I find it very user friendly, and have pointed many of my friends in the same direction. For someone with little tax knowledge, they have had no issues with the program and very few questions. Studiotax takes care of everything.
And for the amazingly low price of nothing.. you just can’t beat it.
Cheers
Taxlady
Again I was skeptical with this. Nothing is free and works well in today’s world. But I am happy to tell you that this software is very user friendly. I would recommend this to my friends and family.
thank you very much!
Yoda
Unfortunately, Studio Tax will only run on a relatively new PC – an unfortunate mismatch. My oldish P3/ winME would not install it properly. They picked the wrong platform. Too bad.
I have used QuickTax for many years in the past and decided to give StudioTax a shot for the last couple of years. The first time (2007 Tax Year), it worked flawlessly and I was very pleased and impressed with its performance.
For the 2008 tax year, I was not so impressed. The program allowed me to claim Ontario Tax Credits FOR BOTH my parents even though only ONE spouse can claim Ontario Tax Credits. I had gone through the step-by-step interview process at the beginning and told the program to “PROCESS AS A SPOUSAL RETURN”.
Unfortunately, it missed the error when I split the Property Taxes equally on both returns and it allowed the deduction FOR EACH spouse.
Now, as a result of the fundamental error, my mother has to repay over $900 plus interest. This is something the program should have caught, otherwise, why bother with the interview questions at all?
I think I’ll just stick with QuickTax next year. They guarantee their program’s accuracy.
Did you try UDoTaxes?
http://www.udotaxes.com
@Jason – Take alook at the 2009 Tax Software Review I posted last night!