StudioTax Canadian Personal Income Tax Software

A- StudioTax is not a spyware. StudioTax does not connect to the internet except if you explicitly use the check for updates feature. StudioTax was used by 10's of thousands of users over the last 3 years( last year, at least 40,000 users filed their 2006 returns using StudioTax). StudioTax was tested and certified by the government(2005, 2006 and 2007). But you don't have to take our words for it; here are few tips and free tools that will help you protect your computer and personal data:

A- YOU DO NOT HAVE TO. We do not ask or keep any personal information about StudioTax users or their computers. It is all happening on your computer. Unlike other tax programs, we do not collect registration information before we let you use our software. The whole idea behind StudioTax is to make you comfortable using a tax software and not coerce you into giving away your valuable personal and financial information.

Q-3 In the quick start wizard, I am being asked for a spouse's net income, which I won't have until I complete her/his return as well. Yet the wizard will not let me move to the next page.

A- Provide an approximate amount to start with and once you complete your spouse's return, you can start the wizard again and enter the correct amount.

Q-4 I have noticed that the format of the filed saved by StudioTax is in *.stx but in order to submit via netfile, the file extension has to be in *.tax

A- The .stx is a StudioTax file that only StudioTax can open and understand. CRA requires a specific Netfile format that their web application can understand. To generate Netfile file you need to click on the NETFILE button, which will bring up a Netfile wizard. Press Next until you get to the Netfile ready page. At that page, you'll have all the instructions you need to file your return using Netfile.

A- As of 2006 version, StudioTax supports linked returns. Make sure to check the corresponding check box when you set your marital status.

Q-6My CPP contributions from two T4's add to about $620. However, when this goes to line 308 on Schedule 1, the maximum value that registers is $545.32, although the text on the line states a max value of 1989.90 . Is this a bug in the software?

A- It sounds like you have a CPP overpayment. The difference should appear on T1 page 4 line 448; that's a good thing since you will be getting more money back.

A- Click on Forms button and add Schedule 4 and Schedule 7. You can also double click on line 208 to take you to S7 and line 121 to take you to S4. Other supported forms can be added in the same way.

A- You need to use schedule 5. First you need to provide your daughter's or son's info by using the dependants button. Then use schedule 5(section line 305), press on the "Pick name..." button and select the name of your daughter or son. That's all your need to do. The calculated amount should appear on both Schedule 1 and the 428 provincial form.
If you do all the above and still get zero, then perhaps you are not eligible to claim an dependant at line 305. One of the reason may be the fact that you already have a spouse. If that's the case and your marital status changed during the year, then use the Netfile form and check one of lines 5529 or 5522 which may allow you to claim an eligible dependant.

A- You can use CutePDF a free PDF writer that installs as a printer that can use to print to a file in PDF format. Once installed, it will be added to the list of printers and you only need to select CutePDF when you get the prompt to pick a printer. You can get it from here and you will need Ghostscript that can be downloaded from the CutePdf page. CutePDF is a handy tool that can be used to generate PDF documents on the fly from any windows application.

A- T1 special is a subset of T1 general which is what StudioTax supports. And yes you can use StudioTax to prepare your tax.

This page provides answers to some questions we received regarding StudioTax.

Questions

Answers