StudioTax

StudioTax is Canadian personal tax software for preparing and filing returns from straightforward income to self-employment and rental income. It is best suited to individuals filing for themselves or a few people they know, particularly those who want desktop returns kept on their own computer. Its broad filing support is balanced by a 10-return personal license and important differences between platform versions.

Overview

StudioTax supports CRA NETFILE and ReFILE, printed returns, Auto-fill my return, and Express Notice of Assessment. Support for self-employment, rental income, and amended returns makes it applicable to more than basic filings. The scope is useful for individual filers, but it does not make StudioTax suitable for professional client work: tax professionals cannot use its NETFILE software to file client returns.

The desktop software saves returns on the computer, and StudioTax says personal information does not leave the computer. That is a meaningful advantage for filers who prefer local storage. The trade-off is that only StudioTax returns can be imported; figures from other tax programs have to be transferred manually.

Key features

• Filing options: NETFILE, ReFILE, and printed returns cover electronic and paper filing, while Auto-fill my return and Express Notice of Assessment add CRA-related functionality.
• Foreign income: Form T1135 is supported on Windows and Mac, a relevant distinction for people who need that form.
• Quebec filing: Windows, iOS, and Android versions are certified for Revenu Québec NETFILE and printed returns. Mac does not support Quebec provincial returns, so it is the wrong version for Mac users who need to file one.

Pricing

StudioTax uses a freemium model. The Free eligible users plan costs free for people with income of $20,000 per year or less and residents of Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut, subject to StudioTax’s calculation rules. For those who qualify, that keeps filing free; other users should not assume the free plan applies to them.

The StudioTax 2025 license covers up to 10 returns; its price is custom pricing. CRA requirements also limit filing to 20 returns per computer. The personal license is aimed at someone handling their own returns and a small number for relatives or friends, not a high-volume or professional filing practice.

Platforms

StudioTax is available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Platform choice matters for Quebec and foreign-income filings: T1135 is available on Windows and Mac, while Quebec NETFILE and printed-return certification applies to Windows, iOS, and Android. The Mac version is English-only and lacks Quebec provincial returns. StudioTax 2025 for Windows supports Windows 10 and 11; Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are no longer supported.

Who it's for

StudioTax is a strong fit for Canadian individuals who want to prepare their own returns, including self-employed people and landlords, and for those who qualify for free use. It is less suitable for anyone moving data from another tax program, a Mac user filing a Quebec provincial return, or a tax professional filing for clients. Support is provided through documentation and email at [email protected].

Pros and cons

• Pros: Supports NETFILE, ReFILE, printed returns, amended returns, self-employment, and rental income, giving individuals several filing paths and coverage beyond simple situations.
• Pros: Desktop returns remain on the computer, which suits filers who prefer local data storage.
• Pros: Eligible users can file for free, including qualifying low-income filers and residents of the northern territories.
• Cons: The 10-return personal license and 20-per-computer CRA cap constrain use for larger groups.
• Cons: Import is limited to StudioTax returns, so switching from another tax program means manual data transfer.
• Cons: Mac is English-only and does not handle Quebec provincial returns, despite Quebec support on other listed platforms.

Alternatives

For Canadian personal filing, TurboTax Canada is another option, with a free plan for simple tax situations. Pick it instead if that stated scope suits your return and you prefer its web, iOS, or Android availability; StudioTax has Windows and Mac versions and a free-eligibility rule based on income or northern residence.

WISO Steuer offers a free test version with all functions available to try and payment only when submitting a return. Choose it if that try-before-submission model is a priority.

Taxfix has an annual individual plan at €39.99 a year, free until submission. H&R Block Online offers free online filing for simple tax situations and Form 1040. TaxAct offers free federal filing for eligible standard returns, with state filing additional. ClearTax includes a DIY income-tax filing plan. 1040.com offers a flat-price federal and state plan. TurboTax has a free edition for eligible simple Form 1040 returns. Consider these if their stated filing scope or plan structure matches your needs.

Browse more options in Tax Preparation Software and Personal Tax Software.

Verdict

Choose StudioTax if you are an individual filing a Canadian return, especially if you qualify for free use, need support for self-employment or rental income, or want desktop returns stored locally. Its main strengths are filing breadth and local desktop storage. Look elsewhere if you need more than 10 licensed returns, want to import another program’s return, file Quebec provincially on Mac, or prepare client returns professionally.