Canadian Tax Software Compared: TurboTax, H&R Block, Wealthsimple Tax & StudioTax (2026)
Four products cover nearly every Canadian DIY return: TurboTax, H&R Block, Wealthsimple Tax, and StudioTax. The headline difference: Wealthsimple Tax files even complex returns — investments, rentals, self-employment — on a pay-what-you-want basis where $0 is a valid answer, while TurboTax and H&R Block charge per-return tiers for anything beyond a simple T4. Here is what each costs in 2026 and which fits your situation. All prices below are CAD.
The four, head to head
| TurboTax | H&R Block | Wealthsimple Tax | StudioTax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple T4 return | $0 (Free) | $0 (Free) | $0 (Basic, pay what you want) | $17.50 licence, up to 10 returns (free if income under $20,000) |
| Donations / medical / employment expenses | Deluxe $30 | Deluxe $29.99 | $0 Basic — every form included | $17.50 licence |
| Investments / capital gains / rental | Premier $50 | Premier $49.99 | $0 Basic — every form included | $17.50 licence |
| Self-employment | Self-Employed $70 | Self-Employed $69.99 | $0 Basic — every form included | $17.50 licence |
| Notable extras | Assist & Review and Full Service add expert help | All packages free for filers 25 and under; in-person offices as backup | Plus $40 + tax (audit protection, priority support); Pro $80 + tax (one-on-one expert) | Downloadable desktop app — no internet needed; free mobile app |
Two things to notice. First, TurboTax and H&R Block use the same paywall pattern: one donation receipt pushes you from Free to the ~$30 tier; an investment sale pushes you to ~$50; freelance income to ~$70. Wealthsimple Tax has no such paywall — the same Basic plan covers everything. Second, StudioTax is the only download-first option here, and its licence covers up to 10 returns, making it the cheapest per-return option for a household filing several complex returns.
Which one fits your situation
Simple T4, standard credits: Wealthsimple Tax (free), TurboTax Free, or H&R Block Free — all $0. If you are 25 or under, H&R Block makes every package free, including Self-Employed.
Students: Tuition credits are covered by the free tiers of Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax, and H&R Block. Under-25s should look at H&R Block's free-everything offer.
Self-employed / freelancers (T2125): Wealthsimple Tax files it for $0 on Basic. TurboTax and H&R Block charge their top DIY tier (~$70). Note: none of these file your GST/HST return — that is a separate filing.
Landlords / investors: Same story — Wealthsimple Tax $0, TurboTax Premier $50, H&R Block Premier $49.99, StudioTax $17.50 for up to 10 returns.
Comfortable with forms, offline preference: StudioTax. It is the only one here that runs as a desktop download with full CRA form access, and the $17.50 licence covers the whole household.
Newcomers: first-year filing notes
Three things work differently in your first year as a Canadian tax resident:
- Partial-year return. You file for the part of the year from your arrival date to December 31 — and report worldwide income only from your arrival date onward. Income earned before you became a resident is generally not taxable in Canada.
- You need a SIN to file online. First-year filers can use NETFILE-certified software with a SIN (leave the access code field blank — you have no prior Notice of Assessment). Without a SIN, paper filing is the route.
- Pick software with newcomer support. Wealthsimple Tax and TurboTax both handle newcomer returns and immigration-date questions in their interview flow. If NETFILE rejects your first return, print and mail it — paper is always accepted.
Filing in your first year also starts your benefit clock: the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit are calculated from your return, so file even with little or no income.
DIY or hire an accountant?
DIY software handles most returns well. Pay an accountant when the situation needs judgment, not just data entry:
- Self-employment with GST/HST — registration thresholds, input tax credits, quick method vs regular
- Rental properties — capital cost allowance choices compound for years
- Incorporation decisions — sole proprietor vs corporation is planning, not filing
- Departure / emigration returns — departure tax is the most commonly botched DIY area in Canada
- US persons in Canada — dual filing obligations need a cross-border specialist
- A CRA review letter or audit — never answer one with software alone
For a T4 plus RRSP plus a few slips, software is fine. A Canadian accountant typically charges a few hundred dollars and up for a personal return — worth it when one missed election costs more.
2026 deadlines
- April 30, 2026 — deadline to file your 2025 return for most individuals.
- June 15, 2026 — filing deadline if you or your spouse/common-law partner is self-employed. But any balance owing is still due April 30 — the extension covers filing, not payment.
- March 2, 2026 — RRSP contribution deadline for the 2025 tax year (the usual 60-day rule; March 1 was a Sunday).
File on time even if you cannot pay in full — the late-filing penalty is worse than the interest on a balance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wealthsimple Tax really free for complex returns?
Yes. The Basic plan is pay-what-you-want — $0 is a valid answer — and it includes every form the software supports: investments, capital gains, rental income, self-employment. The paid Plus ($40 + tax) and Pro ($80 + tax) tiers add audit protection, more returns, and expert help, not more forms.
I'm a newcomer. Can I NETFILE my first return?
If you have a SIN, generally yes — use NETFILE-certified software and leave the access code blank. Without a SIN you cannot file online; file a paper return instead.
What is the cheapest option for a simple T4 return?
Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax Free, and H&R Block Free are all $0. StudioTax costs $17.50 for the desktop licence (up to 10 returns) unless your income is under $20,000.
Is StudioTax still free?
Not on desktop for most people. The current licence is $17.50 for up to 10 returns of one tax year; it stays free if your total income is under $20,000 or you live in the northern territories, and the mobile app is free.
Does Wealthsimple Tax file my GST/HST return?
No — it handles the T1 income tax return only. GST/HST filings are separate (through CRA My Business Account or your accountant).
I'm self-employed with a June 15 deadline — do I get extra time to pay?
No. June 15 is the filing deadline; any balance owing is due April 30. Pay by April 30 to avoid interest, even if you file in June.
Sources
- TurboTax Canada, Tax filing products & pricing: https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tax/pricing
- H&R Block Canada, Canadian online tax software: https://www.hrblock.ca/online-tax-software
- Wealthsimple, Tax filing software: https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax
- StudioTax, Payment page: https://www.studiotax.com/paymentpage.html
- Canada Revenue Agency, Newcomers to Canada and the CRA: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html