TurboTax is finding ways to make tax filing easy and affordable.  I just discovered a couple of discounts being offered when using their online tax preparation software.

For Manulife Financial customers:

This tax season, Manulife Financial is again offering customers located in Canada the opportunity to save 20% off the cost of preparing their tax returns using TurboTax, from Intuit Canada.

There are three options:
  • TurboTax Standard – maximize deductions from RRSPs, spousal/dependent credits and more.
  • TurboTax Premier – all the features of the Standard plus extra guidance for investments and rental property income.
  • TurboTax Home & Business – all the features of Premier, plus guidance for claiming self-employment income. 

Take advantage of the discount at www.turbotax.ca/manulife

Free for students!

TurboTax Student Online Edition is free for students!  You qualify if:

  • You were a college or university student in 2011: You paid tuition fees during the 2011 calendar year and you hold a T2202A, TL11 or its equivalent.
  • You earned under $20K: Your household income does not exceed $20,000 gross (that is, before taxes).

Free for very basic returns

You can use TurboTax Free Online Edition if:

  • You earned income: You receive T-slips, like T4s & T4As. You may have have tip income and/or pension income.
  • You are not self-employed.
  • You do not have investment income or RRSPs.
  • You have not made any charitable donations or investments.
  • You Have Simple Deductions: You receive only ‘standard’ federal & provincial deductions.

The best part…free advice!

For TurboTax customers, they offer free tax advice 24/7 between February 10 and May 4, 2012.

We cannot vouch for the product, so it’s buyer beware, but Intuit has a good reputation overall.

Rona Birenbaum is a certified Financial Planner and is licensed to do financial planning. Rona is registered through separate organizations for each purpose and as such, you may be dealing with more than one entity depending on the products purchased. Rona is registered through Caring-for-Clients for financial planning services. This website is not meant as a solicitation for financial advisory servicesFinancial advisory services are available through the facilities of Queensbury Strategies Inc. Financial Planning is not the business of or under the supervision of Queensbury Strategies Inc. and Queensbury will not be liable or responsible for such activities.