Canada offline tax software options for 2024

Dec 28, 2024 by mtxvp

I used to use Intuit TurboTax desktop version for filing my taxes since 2008. Familiar UI, almost nothing changes much from one year to another, collects your data into a local file and files via NetFile without any hassle or sending your data to the void (allegedly). Usually buying it from Costco, because it's cheaper than buying it online.

This year bought it as usual, just a paper with licence code in the box. Downloaded the software, trying to install and Intuit throws a curveball surprise:

[New] To activate your TurboTax Desktop software, you need an Intuit account.

Like, err - what is the point of me buying a desktop version if you (Intuit) is going to potentially upload all my data and sell make it conveniently available online?

Anyways, tried to sign up for Intuit account. In fairness, you can do it with a burner email, perhaps it's ok to register a new one every year so they don't link things together. Still the unpleasant feeling persists...

Other options

Decided to evaluate few other CRA Certified desktop tax software packages that can do NetFile. Unsurprisingly most of the software is only available for Windows.

Here is the rundown of options (as of writing (2024-12-28) they are all certified for 2023 only, but all have a 2024 preview version):

GenuTax Standard for Windows
- price: Free / Donation
- returns: 20

TaxTron Family for Windows
- price: $39.99 (family)
- returns: 5

TaxFreeway for Windows
- price: $9.95
- returns: 20

StudioTax for Windows
- price: $17.50
- returns: 10

UFile for Windows
- price: $25.99
- returns: 4

FutureTax for Windows
- price: $16.99
- returns: 10

myTaxExpress (Personal) for Windows
- price: $13.99
- returns: 10
- Linux support: yes

TurboTax Standard
- price: $40.00
- returns: 20

VirusTotal scan results

Since most of these are Windows executable, downloaded from the InterNets, I decided to stay on safe side and scan them against VirusTotal before installing. VirusTotal is an online virus checker, multiscanning your file for free with dozen of antivirus flavors. Currently VirusTotal is owned by Google. Leaving the scan quality question aside, here came the surprising part:

GenuTax Standard for Windows
- Status: 0/68
- VirusTotal Report

TaxTron Family for Windows
- Status: 1/65
- VirusTotal Report
- Threat: Trojan.Inject.clfi

TaxFreeway for Windows
- Status: 0/72
- VirusTotal Report

StudioTax for Windows
- Status: 1/70
- VirusTotal Report
- Threat: Trojan.MulDrop28.53624

UFile for Windows
- Status: 1/66
- VirusTotal Report
- Threat: Trojan.Win32.MulDrop3.SUN

FutureTax for Windows
- Status: 0/72
- VirusTotal Report

myTaxExpress (Personal) for Windows
- Status: 0/68
- VirusTotal Report - Windows Version
- VirusTotal Report - Linux Version

TurboTax Standard
- Status: 1/69
- VirusTotal Report
- Threat: BScope.Adware.SaMon

Not sure if any of these are indicative of real threats, or are false positives - 4 out 8 (half) of the CRA approved software packages not showing clean scan with AntiVirus. You are welcome to validate the results yourself. Maybe this is all normal in the present day Windows environment? Looks like another good reason to move to Linux.

So, here you go. If you want true privacy, learn how to fill paper tax forms from CRA and send over snail mail (hoping CRA will receive them and eventually process it).

Open source Canada Tax Filing software supporting NetFile, anyone?