TurboTax Canada Review: How to File Your Taxes

**This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of TurboTax Canada. All opinions are my own.

Tax time has come again after what has been another difficult year for many Canadians. Continued lockdowns and restrictions mean that plenty of Canadians have continued to pivot when it comes to their work. For some, it meant starting a new job, for others working from home, and even more have started a side hustle to bring in some extra income. But, now that tax season is in full swing many Canadians are hesitant and wondering how to file their taxes, and if they will be more complicated with these life changes.

The good news is that despite any changes in your life, your taxes do not have to become overwhelmingly complicated. Not if you use TurboTax. This tax software allows Canadians with all types of tax returns to file their taxes easily online from the comfort of their home. Whether you are a student, a freelancer, or even an investor with an interest in cryptocurrency, TurboTax can work for you. In this TurboTax Canada review, I’m sharing everything you need to know. Plus, check out the bottom of this post for the TurboTax Canada giveaway.

TurboTax features

So, what makes TurboTax Canada the number one tax software program in the country? Without a doubt, the features play a huge role. TurboTax offers a lot to users to help make the process of doing your taxes quick, easy, and stress-free. Here are some of the key features:

Auto-Fill My Return: Cut down the time spent on doing your taxes by allowing TurboTax to gather necessary information from your CRA My Account. TurboTax can download these slips and documents to your file, so you don’t need to add them manually. This can include many T slips, benefit slips, and RRSP contribution limits. It makes things easier and faster.

Built-In Support: All TurboTax users have access to some level of support. The software itself has plenty of support built right into the program as you go. If you need more assistance, take a look through the community forum. And, as I will discuss later on in this TurboTax Canada review, there is the option to pay extra for professional help. TurboTax professionals have, on average, over 10 years of experience. 

RRSP Optimizer: Not sure how much to contribute to your RRSP? TurboTax’s RRSP Optimizer will allow you to see how different contribution amounts will affect your refund.

Audit Defence: This is an add-on but, should you be audited by the CRA, a tax professional will jump in and deal with the CRA on your behalf.

NETFILE Integration: TurboTax is certified by CRA NETFILE. This means once you have completed everything you can file with the click of a button and know that all your information is being handled safely and securely. It also means you will get your refund sooner if you have set up direct deposit (usually within 8 business days).

Guarantee: TurboTax Canada guarantees 100% accuracy. This means that if you pay a penalty because of a TurboTax miscalculation, they will reimburse you the penalty plus interest. In addition, if you get a larger refund or a lower tax due amount from another tax preparation, TurboTax will refund you the price paid (Free users will get $9.99).

How much does TurboTax cost?

The price for TurboTax will depend on which product you use. As said earlier, TurboTax has a variety of products to best fit your personal tax situation and they are all priced differently. Here’s a breakdown of the different TurboTax products and their pricing structures. Not quite sure which one to use? This year, TurboTax will guide users to the product best suited to their situation.

TurboTurboTax Canada Review costs

Free: $0 per return

TurboTax is free for Canadians with simple tax situations, no matter your income level. That’s right, it’s completely free with no hidden fees. But don’t worry, just because it’s free doesn’t mean it is lacking. As long as you don’t need any of the additional features offered from the paid versions, TurboTax Free is still set to get you the best refund possible and can handle student credits, RRSP contributions, COVID benefits and repayments, and more.

Deluxe: $19.99 per return

The next option is TurboTax Deluxe which includes everything in the free model plus some additional bells and whistles. With TurboTax Deluxe you will have more options to maximize more tax deductions and credits. This includes things like donations, employment expenses, and medical expenses. This version will automatically search over 400 credits for you to choose from and identify tax-saving opportunities for the best refund (or lowest amount due).

Premier: $34.99 per return

TurboTax Premier is for individuals who have investments and/or rental properties. Investments can include stocks, bonds, and even cryptocurrency. This version will cover all capital gains and losses and can also handle foreign income. Plus, it comes with all the additional features included in the Deluxe version so you can ensure your taxes are being optimized for the best results.

Self-Employed: $44.99 per return

Whether you are self-employed full-time or have a part-time side hustle, TurboTax Self-Employed has the added advantages of being able to search for industry-specific deductions to get you the best tax outcome. It covers all types of work from real estate to online sales to ride-sharing and more.      

TurboTax Assist & Review

TurboTax is straightforward and easy to follow, however, if you’re unsure or just want another set of eyes to check things over for you before you file, then you can upgrade to TurboTax Assist & Review. These options do cost more, however, it might be worth it for the peace of mind. Pricing for TurboTax Assist and Review is as follows:

  • Assist & Review Basic: $39.99/return
  • Assist & Review Deluxe: $69.99/return
  • Assist & Review Premier: $89.99/return
  • Assist & Review Self Employed: $109.99/return

TurboTax Live Full Service

Don’t want to do your taxes yourself? Then you can choose TurboTax Live Full Service where a seasoned tax expert will do your taxes from start to finish. Of course, these options will cost more, however, if you really hate doing your taxes then they might be worth considering. Pricing depends on how complicated your taxes are and are as follows:

  • Live Basic: $69.99/return ($89.99 as of April 1, 2022)
  • Live Deluxe: $99.99/return ($129.99 as of April 1, 2022)
  • Live Premier $149.99/return ($179.99 as of April 1, 2022)
  • Self Employed $249.99/ return ($279.99 after April 1, 2022)

If you’re a Canadian under the age of 25, all versions of TurboTax Online, Assist & Review or Full Service are free of charge.

TurboTax Review

So, how does TurboTax perform? Here’s a run-through of what you can expect when using TurboTax.

If you have used a paid version of TurboTax before, you can log in with your existing credentials. If you are new, you can just click the ‘get started’ button.

You will then be asked what kind of tax solution you are looking for with the option of:

  • Personal Taxes
  • Tax prep by an expert
  • Self-employed tax software
  • Download tax software

For this TurboTax Canada review, we’re going to click on Personal Taxes.

You can then pick between Free, Deluxe, and Premier. You’ll want to choose the option that best suits your needs but for the sake of this TurboTax review, I’m going to use the free option.

At this point, you’ll be asked to create an account which means entering some personal information and creating a log-in. With your login credentials, you can leave TurboTax at any time and come back to complete your file as needed. It auto-saves along the way after each page so you don’t have to worry about losing any information.

TurboTurboTax Canada Review solutions

Your tax return will start with an interview. You’ll be asked who you’re filing for, your marital status and if you financially support anyone else. As you progress through there will be buttons that says ‘Guide Me’. If you are unsure of something, you can click on that button and be taken to another page with more detailed information on that topic.

Next is personal information including your name, date of birth, address, and Social Insurance Number. You’ll also be asked for your NETFILE access code (this can be found on your NOA from the previous year) and asked questions about your status as a citizen in Canada. Once this interview section is complete, you’ll be taken to a page with a summary of your answers to check over and edit if needed. If not, continue.

TurboTax Canada review tax profile

After your interview section, you will start the tax profile. Guided by step-by-step instructions you will fill out all information pertaining to your income, then a section for RRSPs, then a section for any deductions you might be eligible for. There are prompts along the way to ensure that TurboTax covers all possibilities relating to your individual situation in an effort to get you the best tax outcome possible. It’s very straightforward and easy to follow but, don’t forget, if you have questions you can always look for the ‘Guide Me’ buttons.

Once you have finished the section on credits and deductions you will be able to do a final review. When you have completed that you can pay TurboTax (assuming you used a paid version, remember simple returns are free) and submit your return via NETFILE.

Is TurboTax safe?

While you can never 100% guarantee online safety TurboTax has plenty of safety features in place to keep your personal information protected. This includes using multi-factor authentication so you can securely sign in to your account as well as data encryption. TurboTax is also CRA certified which speaks to its safety as well.

TurboTax pros and cons

Turbo Tax is a great tax software program, but it’s not perfect. Here are some of the main pros and cons to be aware of.

TurboTax Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Offers three ‘categories’ of support: file your own, with an expert’s help, or pass it off to an expert from start to finish
  • Auto-fill my return
  • Guaranteed maximum refund
  • Safe
  • CRA certified

Cons

  • Not the cheapest tax software option on the market

Is TurboTax worth it?

So, we’ve reached the end of the TurboTax Canada review and the final question is: is TurboTax worth it? I say yes.

I’m a self-employed dad. I have a lot going on in my life at the best of times, but these past two years have been extra busy with lockdowns and school closures that keep my daughter home from school. Quite frankly, juggling full-time work and taking care of my daughter means that I don’t have the time to stress and worry about taxes. But TurboTax makes it easy. The process is easy to follow, I know that the program will meet my needs and trust that it will find and maximize any credits so I get the most beneficial results possible.   

TurboTax 2022 Giveaway

Four lucky readers can enter for a chance to win a complimentary tax code, valid for ANY online tax product at turbotax.ca, valued at up to $279.99 each! To enter, leave a comment below by March 31, 2022. If you’d like another entry, follow me on Instagram: barry_choi.

About Barry Choi

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. You can find him on Twitter:@barrychoi

35 Comments

  1. Mr. Dreamer on February 24, 2022 at 12:11 PM

    What a great detailed review, Barry! Thank you. I linked this article to my readers.

    • Keith on February 24, 2022 at 1:16 PM

      It has worked for me.

      • John on February 24, 2022 at 2:34 PM

        I used Turbo Tax for the first time last year and was pleasantly surprised by the process. I appreciate your review and plan to use it again this year.

    • Michelle janzso on February 24, 2022 at 7:58 PM

      Great review! I use it every year.

    • Brenda Bonde on February 28, 2022 at 11:19 AM

      Ive been using this software for years, usually do mine, my husband, parents etc. Easy to use. Very thorough review, thanks

  2. Dick on February 24, 2022 at 12:59 PM

    Thanks for the opportunity

  3. Naomi on February 24, 2022 at 1:21 PM

    I use turbo tax each year to do my complicated tax return, I like doing it myself to understand as much as I can my taxes. Thanks for your article!

  4. Sandi Ellis on February 24, 2022 at 4:12 PM

    Having closed our small business at the end of 2020, this will be the first year my husband and I have much simpler taxes since we are both fully retired. I am planning on using Turbo Tax for the first time this year and am hoping the Deluxe option will allow for pension income splitting.

    Thanks for the detailed information in this article!

  5. Yuri G. on February 24, 2022 at 9:32 PM

    Great tax software. Even better if free this year. 🙂

  6. mami2jcn on February 25, 2022 at 10:20 AM

    I’ve been using Turbotax for years and it’s super easy.

  7. proxina GALENSKI on February 25, 2022 at 5:52 PM

    GOING TO TRY TURBO Tax looks supereasy thanks

    • John P. on February 25, 2022 at 10:11 PM

      Great review. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  8. Tom H on February 26, 2022 at 2:52 PM

    Have used for many years. Simple and easy to use for a retired couple with just pension incomes and RRIF’s. Have used Deluxe version but this year (after many) there is a mandatory up-sell to claim investment management costs – to Premium (+$30). Ready to file but may explore less expensive options first. Good review bye way.

  9. Adina H. on February 27, 2022 at 12:05 AM

    Thank you for the overview. It’s nice to read such details when there are so many other products in competition.

  10. Vikram on February 27, 2022 at 8:43 AM

    Thank you for the detailed explanation.

  11. Manish Shah on February 28, 2022 at 8:36 AM

    Great software for filling taxes for the whole family and very easy to use. Cost effective way of filling simple tax returns yourself instead of paying a tax preparer $50 or more. Have been using turbotax standard for many years and highly recommend this to anyone.

  12. Sebastien on February 28, 2022 at 9:04 AM

    Sounds like a great app!

  13. Valerie on February 28, 2022 at 9:57 AM

    Turbo Tax is a great program! I have been using it for many years now.

  14. John on February 28, 2022 at 10:13 AM

    Does anyone know which version allows for splitting of pension income?

  15. James Lo on February 28, 2022 at 10:36 AM

    Awesome blog post. Thanks for sharing Barry!

  16. Bruce on February 28, 2022 at 12:36 PM

    Would like to try it

  17. Murray Deller on February 28, 2022 at 1:18 PM

    I am going to be doing a friend’s tax filing this year so this review has been a great help. It would be nice to win the Turbo Tax giveaway.

  18. Barry on February 28, 2022 at 2:13 PM

    I’m again helping some seniors this year with taxes so that Turbo Tax program would be great.

  19. Blake Schmidt on February 28, 2022 at 3:23 PM

    Great review of turbo tax. It may not be the cheapest but it works great.

  20. Denise Johnson on February 28, 2022 at 3:36 PM

    Excellent article. Thank you.

  21. Carol on February 28, 2022 at 5:43 PM

    Tks for the great review. My daughter completes hers, her husband, mine & my husband. Very easy to use.
    Tks again

  22. Fedele on March 1, 2022 at 5:19 PM

    Thanks for the review, been using TurboTax for the last 10 years!

  23. Rowena on March 2, 2022 at 9:52 AM

    I am considering doing my own taxes this year and was advised to use Turbo Tax. Thanks for your review – it answered alot of questions I had and I appreciate a different opinion.

  24. Heather W on March 2, 2022 at 4:09 PM

    Great review! It’s a shame that TurboTax is so expensive for a family with adult children who also need to file.

  25. Jerri on March 4, 2022 at 10:00 PM

    I’d love to try this out.

  26. Linda on March 5, 2022 at 7:52 PM

    I really like the NETFILE integration. This would make submitting taxes so easy.

  27. Ian Crawford on March 30, 2022 at 8:03 PM

    Good program……great review.

  28. ken on January 9, 2023 at 2:57 PM

    Great review, Barry. I use UFile every year and wonder which one is better or they are very similar, I guess. Barry, if you have the opportunity to review UFile, perhaps, you can share your comments. Thank you.

    • Barry Choi on January 9, 2023 at 4:16 PM

      Hey Ken,

      I haven’t used UFile in like a decade. If it works for you, then stick with it. I find the advantage of TurboTax is the premium services e.g. self employed, full-service. If you’re comfortable doing taxes on your own, then just use whatever you’re comfortable with.

  29. Wanda on February 11, 2024 at 9:38 PM

    i’ve used Turbotax (QuickTax) Standard for years and this year (2023 tax year) I couldn’t find the Standard edition at my Costco location. How different is the Deluxe to the Standard edition? I’ve used the Standard to prepare my return with my husband’s, his sister’s and my two sons returns over the past years. My husband and mine are a bit more complicated with investment income and capital gains/losses but I have found the Standard edition to be adequate as it prompts you about tax savings opportunities during the review.
    Do I really need the Deluxe edition and if so, how would it be beneficial to me?

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