CloudTax

Overview

CloudTax is Canadian tax-filing software with web access and apps for iOS and Android. It is a good fit for people who want to handle different kinds of income themselves, but still want the option of paid review or preparation. The key choice is between a two-return free tier, a 20-return annual plan, and per-return services.

Key features

Support for self-employment, investment, and rental income gives CloudTax reach beyond straightforward returns. That breadth is useful for people with more than employment income, but does not make the free plan suitable for every case: Free is limited to simple tax situations.

Users can import CRA slips or scan and upload tax documents for AI extraction and auto-fill. Koinly support covers crypto tax workflows, while CloudReceipts captures and categorizes receipts and syncs expenses for deductions. These integrations can reduce manual entry, particularly for filers tracking business expenses.

Returns are submitted to the CRA through NETFILE, and CloudTax has been CRA-certified since the 2018 tax year. Tax data is encrypted on CloudTax's secure servers; the company says it shares information with the CRA when a user submits through NETFILE. Support is available by live chat, email, video tutorials, and tax experts. Refunds typically take two to 12 weeks, with NETFILE refunds usually arriving in about two weeks.

Pricing

CloudTax Free costs nothing and is billed free forever. It offers self-guided filing, basic tax return support, and up to two returns; users can pay what they want, including $0. The cap and simple-situation restriction make it a sensible starting point for a small number of uncomplicated returns, not a general-purpose option for a household with more involved filings.

CloudTax Plus costs $39 a year and allows up to 20 returns from one dashboard. It adds priority support, audit protection, and CloudReceipts Personal. For people filing several returns, that higher quota is the clearest reason to move beyond Free; the annual charge is less compelling if only one or two simple returns are needed.

CloudTax also offers review and preparation services billed per return. Listed options include Review & File Basic at $75 a month, Review & File Premium at $125 a month, and Review & File Business at $149 a month; Done For You Basic at $99 a month, Done For You Premium at $249 a month, and Done For You Business at $349 a month. Each shows a two-return limit. These are a path for filers who want more assistance, but the monthly billing unit and per-return framing deserve attention before choosing.

Additional per-return options include Business Review, billed $149 per return with T2125 support for self-employed and business income; Premium Review, billed $99 per return for more complex returns including rental and foreign income; Premium Done For You, billed $149 per return and covering rental property, partnership, emigrant, and final tax returns; and Business Done For You, billed $249 per return for full preparation of business or self-employment income, with T2 not included. CloudTax says excess accidental payments will be refunded.

Platforms

CloudTax works through the web and supports iOS and Android devices, giving mobile users a way to access filing without being limited to a desktop platform.

Who it's for

CloudTax is best suited to Canadian filers who value mobile access, need support for self-employment, investment, or rental income, or want to file multiple returns through one dashboard. People with a simple return can start with Free; those filing more returns may find Plus's 20-return allowance more practical. Filers who want professional assistance can consider the review and done-for-you services, while anyone with a very complex case should weigh the per-return service terms carefully.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Support for self-employment, investment, and rental income extends its usefulness beyond basic returns.
• Pros: CRA slip imports, AI document extraction, Koinly, and CloudReceipts can cut down on manual tax-data handling.
• Pros: Free permits up to two simple returns, and Plus raises the limit to 20 while adding priority support and audit protection.
• Cons: The free tier is capped at two returns and restricted to simple tax situations.
• Cons: Paid review and preparation choices use per-return billing, and the listed options show a two-return limit, so their terms need more scrutiny than the straightforward annual Plus plan.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see Personal Tax Software.

Choose H&R Block Online if a simple US Form 1040 return and access across web, iOS, and Android are a better match; its Free Online plan is limited to simple tax situations.

TaxAct is an option for eligible standard federal returns where free filing matters, with state filing charged separately.

WISO Steuer is an alternative with a free test version whose functions can be tried before paying when submitting a return.

TurboTax offers a free edition for eligible simple Form 1040 returns, so it may suit a filer whose needs are limited to that case.

TaxDown offers a free calculation and result preview, while submitting requires a plan.

ClearTax provides self e-filing and a monthly Salary plan for salaried employees with a single Form 16.

TurboTax Canada is another free-plan Canadian option, described for simple tax situations.

H&R Block Tax Software Canada is a Canadian alternative with a free plan that covers several common slips and student-related credits.

Verdict

CloudTax is a strong choice for Canadian filers who need more than basic income support, want mobile access, or plan to handle multiple returns. Its free tier provides a low-commitment route for simple cases, while Plus offers a substantial return allowance at $39 a year. Look elsewhere if your situation falls outside the free plan's simple-return limits and CloudTax's per-return review or preparation terms do not suit your needs.