Readers Respond: How Do You File Your Canadian Income Taxes?

How do you file your personal Canadian income taxes? Online? By phone? By mail? Or do you hire someone to do them for you? Tell us what makes the method you use the most attractive. Is it because it's easy? Do you feel you get the best results, or the quickest refund? Do you stick with a way that's familiar to you, or are you always looking for a better method?

Tell us any tips you have too!

Not Sure if TELEFILE Got My Kids

first time trying tele file by phone unsure if it got my kids there was no question on them that i heard unless they were a number?

—Guest al

NETFILE...

I have used tax preparation software since 1994, and NETFILE ever since it was made available... no regrets!

—vtseib

New Way on-line

I did mine on-line last year and I'm planning on doing it again this year. It was easy and saved me time and money.

—judithea

Change of Plan

I've always done mine by mail, but this year I'm going to try NETFILE. Maybe the software program will catch some things I miss. It never seems to get any less complicated anyway.

—Guest Jackie

Still waiting

I filed by telefile 3 weeks ago and to date....I am still waiting for my refund!!!!

—Guest Guest 1

HIRE A SERVICE FOR INCOME TAX FILING.

WELL, I THINK FOR PEOPLE IT DEPENDS ON THEIR CONDITION, HOW TO FILE INCOME TAX AND IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE, I PESONALLY FILE MY INCOME TAX WITH A PROFESIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE PROPERLY, THX.

—Guest RYAN

Get a professional

I totally disagree with the tax companies promoting do-it-yourself taxes! Those click & go software applications are only reliable to a point, and they sure don't come close to equal to a tax professional. My parents and I have used a local professional for years, she might cost more than software, but the peace of mind is worth it!

—Guest Guest

By Phone, For Sure!

I always file by phone. What I like best about it is my refund cheque hits my bank account about 8 days later! If there is something a little complicated, a couple of months later I get a letter from the tax people asking for the documentation, and I send it to them then. No problems. It makes life easier.

—Guest Liz

Don't have to pay for online either

There are free software packages available to prepare the return electronically, and generate what's needed to file online. Studio Tax from www.studiotax.com is one, and like all packages is certified by the CRA. Other packages can be free in some cases as well.

—Guest guest

Condition for the Tax Pain

Hi! There, After 40 years of dragging myself to do taxes...each year no simpler then the previous...I have slowly, painfully, been conditioned by the Canadian Government to submit my taxes by mail. The final walk to the Post Office is usually 'bittersweet' as I never know what changes/corrections will be made...rarely in my favor...to the final numbers. As for a PIN # I have yet to see that on the mail label as so many have advised. I believe there are a lot of Canadians who aren't in that computer system. Take care and sharpen your pencils...again. Hugs2 Toronto

—Hugs2

The Old-Fashioned Way

I still prepare mine myself, and mail it. I'm not looking for a refund, so I don't care when they deal with them. I also like to follow along with a copy of my tax return from last year so I don't miss anything. I might switch to filing online, but I don't like the idea of having to pay to upgrade the software every year. Or making sure I get the right version of the software that includes everything I need.

—Guest Dave M.