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Taxes · Software review

GenuTax Standard review

3.8/5

A completely free, donation-funded Windows desktop program that handles surprisingly complex returns and lets you file multiple or back-year returns at no cost. Dated, Windows-only, but genuinely free with no upsell.

Best for: Windows users who want a free, no-strings desktop tool for multiple or back-year returns with moderately complex income.

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Pros

  • Free with no upsell, even for complex returns — funded by optional donations
  • Handles capital gains, rental and small-business income
  • Auto-Fill My Return and ReFILE supported
  • Prepares back-year returns to 2003; up to 20 returns a year

Cons

  • Windows-only desktop install — no Mac, web or mobile
  • Dated interface
  • No published version/release transparency

What GenuTax is

GenuTax Standard is a free Windows desktop tax program funded entirely by donations — and confirmed CRA NETFILE certified for the 2025 tax year, which answers the usual "is it still maintained?" question. It is no-frills but capable: capital gains, rental income and small-business income are all supported, along with Auto-Fill My Return and ReFILE.

It can file up to 20 returns a year with no income limit, and can prepare back-year returns going back to 2003 — useful if you have a pile of un-filed years to catch up.

Who it suits

GenuTax suits Windows users who want a free, offline tool for several returns and do not care about a slick interface. If you want a modern, cross-platform or web experience, look at Wealthsimple Tax (also free) or, for Mac/mobile, the cross-platform options in our full comparison.

Frequently asked questions

How much does GenuTax Standard cost?
Completely free (optional donation), including all future-year updates. Free for everyone, with no income limit — funded by optional donations. Prices verified at GenuTax Standard's own site on June 13, 2026 — they change through the tax season, so confirm before you buy. Compare the field on our best tax software ranking.
Is GenuTax Standard certified by the CRA (NETFILE)?
Yes — GenuTax Standard carries explicit CRA NETFILE certification for the 2025 tax year. NETFILE caps any single product at 20 returns per year.
Can GenuTax Standard file a Quebec return?
Files federal returns; confirm Quebec TP-1 needs on the provider site. Quebec residents file a separate TP-1 return on top of the federal one — see which tools handle it best in our three-way comparison.

The bottom line

GenuTax is a quietly excellent free option for Windows users with multiple or back-year returns and moderately complex income. The interface is dated and it is Windows-only, but the price — free, including future updates — is hard to argue with.

See how GenuTax Standard compares

All seven Canadian tax tools, verified at the source and ranked.

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This review is educational, not tax advice. Prices, tiers and NETFILE status shown were verified at GenuTax Standard's own published pages on June 13, 2026 and change without notice — tax-software pricing in particular shifts through the season. Our editorial rating reflects cost, breadth, platform reach and help options; it is never paid for. Confirm current terms on the provider's site before you file. See our methodology.