Tax season is coming for us all eventually, and while it might seem far away the majority of Canadians procrastinate on filing their taxes. With how chaotic this year has been, it's a good idea to get ahead of things if you can so you're not stressed by last-minute complications.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your worry about filing taxes is to take out all the confusion. You can do this by using a tax filing software program. There are lots of good options out there and AdvTax is one of the best!
But before you rush off to give it a try it's a good idea to look at all its features and make sure it will work for your specific situation. Keep reading to learn everything you could ever want to know about AdvTax!
Disclaimer:
The content in this article or page is for informational purposes only. While we only conduct the most thorough research and evaluations, and update our content continuously, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the details shown. Users may choose to visit the actual company website for more information.
Is AdvTax Free?
AdvTax is completely free for all low-income taxpayers and for those who are preparing their tax returns. For those who are planning to file with AdvTax and are not low-income, there is something like a lottery system where 50% will be able to file (through NETFILE or e-file) for free. The other 50% of people will have to pay a small fee in order to file.
While this may be confusing for some, this means that you're most likely going to be able to e-file for free and otherwise it's completely free. AdvTAx used to be completely free but like many companies, it had to adapt to the challenges 2020 brought with it.
This could be disappointing for some. But the cost is kept low to allow most people to use their software while also providing system maintenance to their software.
Is AdvTax Safe?
When it comes to finding the best tax filing software for you it is important to consider whether it is secure. After all, some of your most sensitive information is going to be entered into this program. Luckily, AdvTax is secure but let's look at some of the reasons why you can trust AdvTax!
What Is AdvTax?
AdvTax is definitely a bare-bones software, but that doesn't mean that it's not useful for most people. While it is incredibly text-based and has a poor aesthetic design, it is very simple to use. However, there are other software that appears cleaner and may be more intuitive to navigate - you can check out our list here.
What Certifications Does AdvTax Have?
Most Canadians don't know that one of the easiest ways to find out if the software you are planning to use is legitimate is to look into whether it is certified. The Canada Revenue Agency, or the CRA, will certify some tax preparation and filing services so that users can be confident in their security.
AdvTax is certified by the CRA for the tax years of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. This means the Canadian government trusts AdvTax to do what it says. Additionally, AdvTax is certified for NETFILE.
In most cases, if a tax software is certified for use with NETFILE you know it is secure. This is because NETFILE is the government's e-file system. If your software works with it then they should be sending your information securely with encryption. Encryption means that hackers won't be able to see or alter your financial and other private information.
How Do I Use AdvTax?
Using AdvTax is more simple than it may first appear. You simply sign up for an account and log into your account and follow the instructions. You can select your province/territory to start preparations for a specific area.
AdvTax also provides demo videos for some different filing scenarios, such as via mobile or for a family. Let's look at some of the popular features that you can use when you file.
The Speed At Which You Can File
AdvTax prides itself on being one of the quickest programs for filing your taxes on the market. If you're on a time crunch, this is definitely the system you will want to use. They demonstrate with their videos that someone can complete their tax returns and file in as little as five minutes.
They can do this because of the lack of bloat in their software. Everything is minimal and kept informative, yet useful.
Broadly Available and Accessible
One of the biggest highlights of AdvTax over other tax filing software is how accessible it is to many different groups of people and filers. For one, the software is available not only in both French and English, but also in Chinese. Not only this, but AdvTax also understands that in the modern age many people may have different devices and lifestyles.
Because of this, they offer the ability to prepare and file your tax return from anywhere. Be it your Android or Apple mobile device, tablet, or laptop. Both iOS and Windows are supported, which is not something that can be said for most other tax preparation software. AdvTax has a clear advantage in this arena.
AdvTax also has what may be the broadest amount of various circumstances for which you can file while remaining free (or pretty close to it). You can file as an individual, as a family, or as self-employed. All provinces and territories are supported. Even the ability to file as a foreign income earner is available without needing to upgrade or purchase extensions.
The only things that AdvTax does not cover are multiple jurisdictions and specifically the Province of Quebec. Additionally, in terms of multi-year filing, it is not quite as robust as some other options. You can only prepare tax returns from the year 2017 and beyond, not earlier.
Several Popular Services Provided
There are several popular programs that many people like to use when filing their taxes in order to make their lives easier. Luckily, AdvTax provides just about all of them! Auto-Fill My Return is available to automatically import the majority of your information from the Canada Revenue Agency, saving you time and effort.
ReFILE is an important tool if you realize later that you have made a mistake on your return but you have already filed it. With this service, you can simply go in and update your tax return and then file it again with NETFILE so the government gets your updated return right away.
Express NOA is one of the nicest bonus features you can get with some free tax filing software. Express NOA, or Express Notice of Assessment, helps you to view the results of your tax return as soon as it is available. You can see information on what your expected refund or balance owing will be, information on your filing, and other important documents and assessments.
Once you know how much your refund will be, it's a good idea to plan how to spend it. You can learn our top ways to spend your tax refund responsibly with our guide.
The Reviews
Most people who use AdvTax and enjoy it remark on the quickness and versatility of the program. But, as they have recently added a paid version people may flock to more intuitively designed options. Let's look at the pros and cons people mention in reviews.
- Where to Download
- PC Based
- Cost
- Rating
- Reviews
- Developer
- Downloaded Count
- Name
- iOS | Android
- Yes - Online
- Free
- NA
- NA
- Aclasssoft Inc
- NA
- AdvTax (Online)
Pros
One of the biggest pros that AdvTax has is for people intending to file in Quebec, which is fairly unusual among free tax software programs. It doesn't provide for all Quebec situations, but it offers some.
The vast availability and speed with which you can use AdvTax make it one of the best systems if you're in more unusual situations. Small business owners can rejoice, as can those who are working in other countries earning foreign funds.
Cons
Of course, we've previously mentioned the main con that the website is generally off-putting and outdated in appearance. It can also be a little tough to navigate, with no clear links to their FAQ and other information.
In addition to this, AdvTax doesn't have a ton of support if you run into problems. They are only available via email which could take a few days to get a response. If you plan to use AdvTax, it's best to start a few days ahead just in case you need a question answered.
What Else Should You Know?
Now you know everything you could ever want to know about the Adv Tax online tax filing software system. But you don't have to stop saving money on just your taxes. You can save money in a wide variety of areas just by shopping around.
Mortgages, credit cards, insurance, loans, and more can all be had for lower prices. And it's quick and easy to get those lower prices with a company like Insurdinary. With us, you can compare rates among various companies in as little as three minutes. So be sure to check us out today and ask us for a quick quote!
