Canada Revenue Agency
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Software
Certified software for the 2008 NETFILE Program (2007 tax return)
Windows:
eTaxCanada for Windows 2007, FutureTax, GenuTax, myTaxExpress, QuickTax, StudioTax 2007, TaxFreeway, TaxPilot, TaxTron Windows, UDoTaxes, UFile for Windows
Web applications: (for Windows and Macintosh)
5dollarTax, AceTax Online, CuteTax Online, EachTax.com, eTaxCanada Online 2007, FileTaxOnline.ca, MBOTax, H & R Block Online Tax, QuickTax, Taxnic.ca, UFile.ca, WebTax4U.ca
Macintosh:
TaxFreeway for Mac, TaxTron Macintosh
View the software developers' Web site to see if you qualify for their free offerings.
Limit of 20 returns
NETFILE is an electronic filing service that taxpayers can use to file their own personal income tax and benefit return with the CRA. To protect the integrity of this service, the CRA has set a limit of 20 returns that can be prepared with a NETFILE-certified tax preparation software. The limit may help prevent some tax preparation service providers from using NETFILE. Software developers must respect this limit to be certified for NETFILE.
The CRA has determined that a limit of 20 returns, whether printed or filed using NETFILE, is appropriate and sufficient for a NETFILE software product. This will allow even a large family to share one software product to prepare and file their tax returns. If your tax return is being prepared and filed by a tax preparation service provider, do not provide him or her with your access code. There is a separate service for those who prepare and electronically file taxes on behalf of others, which is called EFILE. This service requires users to sign-in with their own user ID and password. They do not require your access code. Before they can file on your behalf, they need your authorization. Please sign Form T183, Information Return for Electronic Filing of an Individual's Income Tax and Benefit Return, to give authorization. This form does not give authorization for someone to file on your behalf using NETFILE.
If you are a tax preparation service provider, you must not use the NETFILE service. You must use EFILE to electronically file returns on behalf of others. Please visit the CRA Web site to learn about all the benefits of using this service. If you have any comments or concerns about this limit, you can email them to NETFILE-E@cra-arc.gc.ca.
For more information please visit our News and Program Updates Web page.
Testing time frames
The CRA tests commercial tax preparation software packages and Web applications for use with the NETFILE service from December through March each year. The testing process takes between four to six weeks, and it is usually late January before a tax preparation software package is certified for use with the NETFILE service.
NETFILE has been designed to accept a specific file format ".tax", and the NETFILE-certified software or Web application will include instructions on how to save your tax return in that format.
Certified software
Check this Web page on a regular basis during the tax-filing season. As our testing progresses, we will update the list of NETFILE-certified software packages and Web applications.
You should also be aware that unless you are using a Web application, you will have to download an update from your software developer. Information on how to upgrade your software is available from your software developer's Web site or from within the software itself.
For your information here is the complete list of certified software for the 2007 NETFILE Program (2006 tax return). Please visit the software developer's Web site if you want to know if they plan to submit their software for certification this year.
