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0 pointsKluny10y ago0 comments

Related, there is an excellent webapp called simpletax.ca, which I've been using to do my taxes for the past few years. It's the most painless tax process I've ever had, so I love it, but it only works on returns going back to 2011.

Every year I seem to have at least one friend ask me to help with their taxes - typically someone who hasn't done theirs in 10 years or more, has no idea where to begin, and whose situation is getting worse every year.

So I always ask the simpletax people to add previous years, even offering to work for them or volunteer time, and the answer has been the same. A very prompt, polite statement that the tax code changes way too much every year and it is logistically impossible for them to cover past years.

I can only assume they're telling the truth and that the problem is impossible for them right now. But it deeply irritates me that the Canadian government doesn't issue its own (free!) software to make it possible for people with the best of intentions to comply with their laws.

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suter10y ago

Nice. I promise we're telling the truth. ;) The tax code changes a lot from year to year. Even if we had the tax resources to implement prior years (and the cost/benefit made sense), the CRA doesn't retroactively certify products.

I wish there was an easy, silver bullet answer for people who are behind on their taxes, but it really depends on each person's situation.

The better solution is to radically simplify the Income Tax Act. This would make the system easier for everyone and ultimately make products like ours redundant. It's the right outcome and one we'd like to see one day. Until we get there, we fill a critical gap. Free CRA software won't fix the problem and—I'd argue—would be a huge step backwards.

KlunyOP10y ago

Ha, thanks, I figured you'd be on here. Yes, I really do believe it's a tough problem. I'll vote in favor of any solution that allows people to get their affairs in order more easily. Hope it happens.