UFile is Canadian tax software for personal and self-employment returns, filed with the CRA or Revenu Quebec through UFile ONLINE or UFile WINDOWS.
You can prepare a whole return for free and pay only when you're ready to NETFILE, and eligible Canadian taxpayers can file through UFile ONLINE at no charge.
The UFile site is published by Thomson Reuters/Tax & Accounting, and the brand says it has worked with Canadian taxpayers for 20 years. The software is built to handle more involved situations as well as simple ones: freelance and other self-employment income, investment income with capital gains and losses, and rental properties with their expenses.
Beyond the personal versions, the lineup includes UFile PRO, UFileT2, versions for prior tax years and a UFile CVITP edition. The software is CRA NETFILE certified and comes with what UFile calls its Triple Guarantee, which covers accuracy, satisfaction and the tax result. The site runs in English and French and also offers a blog, a newsletter, an income tax calculator and a help centre with an Ask UFile section.
UFile shipping, returns and perks
Versions
UFile ONLINE runs on any web device and stores returns online for 9 years, while UFile WINDOWS keeps your data on your own computer.
When you pay
Starting a return costs nothing, and payment comes only at the NETFILE step. UFile PREMIUM adds priority phone, chat and email support.
Free filing
UFile ONLINE lets eligible Canadian taxpayers file for free, so see whether your return qualifies before you reach the payment step.
Triple promise
UFile backs its software with a three-part promise covering accuracy, your satisfaction and your tax result.
CRA auto-fill
The CRA's automatic download of your tax slips is included free, though you need an online CRA account to pull them in.
Support and refund speed
Email and phone help are free, apart from long-distance charges, and NETFILE can bring your tax refund in as few as 8 days.
You enter and review your return first, and the charge only appears when you choose to NETFILE, so that's the moment any discount matters.
Before you get there, check whether your return fits UFile ONLINE's free filing for eligible Canadian taxpayers, because a free return leaves nothing to discount.
Decide on PREMIUM before you file, too.
It's the version with priority phone, chat and email support, and the standard email and telephone help is already free.
If you prefer working offline, UFile WINDOWS keeps the return on your computer instead of online.
More ways to save at UFile
The biggest saving at UFile is free filing on UFile ONLINE for eligible Canadian returns.
The CRA's automatic tax-slip download comes included, which spares you typing each slip by hand.
Free email and telephone support means you don't need PREMIUM just to ask a question, though PREMIUM moves you to priority help by phone, chat and email.
And since UFile ONLINE keeps returns stored for 9 years, last year's figures stay close at hand when you file again.
UFile questions, answered
Can you file a Canadian tax return with UFile for free?
UFile ONLINE offers free tax filing to eligible Canadian taxpayers. Any return can also be started for free, with payment due only when you're ready to NETFILE.
What's the difference between UFile ONLINE and UFile WINDOWS?
UFile ONLINE works on any web device and keeps your returns stored online for 9 years. UFile WINDOWS keeps the data on your computer instead.
What does UFile PREMIUM add?
PREMIUM adds priority support by phone, chat and email. Standard email and telephone support is free, apart from any long-distance charges.
How fast can a tax refund arrive when you file with UFile?
Filing through NETFILE can get your tax refund in as few as 8 days.
Can UFile pull in tax slips from the CRA?
The CRA's automatic download of your tax slips is included free. You'll need an online CRA account to use it.
Can UFile file a Quebec return?
UFile files personal and self-employment returns with both the CRA and Revenu Quebec.