From: canada.revenue.agency@hotmail.com   
      
   Is using free tax software worth the savings? :CRA SOTW   
      
   Linda Nguyen, THE CANADIAN PRESS   
      
   TORONTO -- With tax season upon us, some Canadians may be exploring new   
   options for filing their returns this year.   
      
   Should you hire an accountant? Or do them yourself on a computer or on paper?   
   Experts say the answer to that question depends on how complicated your   
   financial situation is and how comfortable you are with taking on the task.   
      
   Last year, the Canada Revenue Agency received 23.4 million (81%) electronic   
   returns compared with 5.4 million (19%) paper returns. It notes that the   
   number of people filing their personal tax returns electronically, either on   
   their own or via a tax    
   professional, has been steadily increasing over the past five years.   
      
   Adriana Harper with H&R Block says Canadians who are looking to save money at   
   tax time can consider using readily available free software.   
      
   H&R, which also runs tax clinics across the country, says filers can access   
   its free software either online or download it onto their computers.   
      
   The program is mostly recommended for people who only require a bare-bones   
   version of tax software, and those who do not need a lot of guidance in filing   
   their taxes.   
      
   "Not all Canadians are going to feel comfortable filing it on their own," said   
   Harper, a digital content official at H&R, who likened using free software to   
   changing a blown tire on your car. Some people know how to do it, but may   
   still want to hire a    
   mechanic anyway to make sure it's done correctly.   
      
   A number of other firms also offer free versions, including SimpleTax and   
   TurboTax.   
      
   If filing over the computer doesn't appeal to you, filers can still go the   
   free route if they go to a one of the free temporary volunteer-run tax   
   preparation clinics across the country aimed at those with low to moderate   
   incomes. A list of locations is    
   available on the Canada Revenue Ageny website.   
      
   But Dale Romanovsky, a chartered professional accountant, says free tax help   
   and free software can help filers save money but it's really most beneficial   
   for those with simple returns. Those who have more complicated filings -- for   
   example, different    
   streams of income, foreign property or a small business -- should consider   
   seeking in-person, professional help.   
      
   "If their return is pretty simple, (they're) just earning employment income,   
   then the software should be manageable," he said.   
      
   "But once you have complexity, investment income, business income -- there are   
   a lot of planning opportunities... and decisions that you should be making   
   when doing the return," he said.   
      
   "The programs try to help you with that, but they're not a professional.   
   They're just a program that will help you input the data properly, so you may   
   be not making the best decision."   
      
   For instance, Romanovsky says accountants can help you look at your current   
   financial situation and what it may be in the upcoming years to determine   
   whether it's more beneficial for you to carry over RRSP room rather than claim   
   it right away. Those with    
   a small businesses may also benefit from a professional who can tell them what   
   expenses they can deduct.   
      
   That kind of advice is not as easily accessible through a computer program.   
   Todd Stanley, the general manager at TurboTax Canada, says the tax filing   
   giant has been offering a free software option for years. Typically, filers   
   may want to try out the free software and then by the next year, may consider   
   paying for a more    
   supported version when their tax situation becomes more complicated, like if   
   they have stocks, mutual funds and rental property.   
      
   "We believe in offering customers choice," he said.   
      
   Stanley adds that the free versions are more form-based, while the paid   
   versions are more interview-based and take the filer through their taxes   
   step-by-step. Paid software from TurboTax ranges from $14.99 for the basic   
   version -- up to four returns --    
   to $45 for a professional version, which includes one-on-one counselling from   
   a tax professional who will review your return once completed.   
      
   Last year, 4.5 million returns were filed using TurboTax software, according   
   to the company.   
      
      
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