If you’re cheap spending-averse like me, you may have been doing your taxes by hand for years. Now that the government is pushing us all to NETFILE our forms, I’ve finally caved in and started using a program to submit my return to the CRA. (I still calculate it by hand, though, to stay in practice.) When I went looking for a free way to NETFILE, I found StudioTax. It’s approved for NETFILEing and the only cost is a voluntary donation to the programmer. Since I support small businesses, I make the donation. Here’s how you can get the free StudioTax 2013 software for Windows to calculate and file your own income taxes.

StudioTax is certified by both the CRA and Revenue Quebec for NETFILE. You can also print returns to mail in.

How to Use StudioTax 2013 to NETFILE Your Taxes by April 30, 2014: Part 1: Get the Program

Future articles will talk about using the software to do the math and how to NETFILE once you’re sure your return is accurate.

StudioTax 2013 isn’t for everyone. Here are some of its limits as listed on the website:

• It needs a Microsoft Windows operating system to run.
• It can’t handle Form T1273 AgriStability  AgriInvest Programs STATEMENT A – Harmonized CAIS Program Information and Statement of Farming Activities for Individuals. (Neither can I.)

How to Download StudioTax 2013

1. Go to http://www.studiotax.com/
2. As desired, click on English or French. Read the details.
3. Click on the Download link.
4. If you want to save the program in a specific folder on your hard drive, make the folder now.
   • If you download the file as a ZIP file you will have to unzip it.
   • If you download the file as an EXE file you will not need to unzip it.

   To start the download, click on the EXE or ZIP link in the Latest 2013 row.

5. If you click on EXE:
   1. Click on the Save File button.
   2. Select the directory where you want the file saved and click the Save button.
6. If you click on ZIP:
   1. Click to select the dot beside Save File.
   2. Click OK.
   3. Select the directory where you want the file saved and click the Save button.
   4. Unzip the file.
      For example: Navigate to the StudioTax2013Install.zip file.
      From the File menu, select Extract All.

To Install StudioTax 2013 Software on your PC

Complete instructions are given on the StudioTax website at:  http://studiotax.com/en/?page=2

1. Go to the folder where you saved the EXE file.
2. Double click on the EXE file named StudioTax2013Install.exe.
3. To run the file, click on the Run button.
4. Select a language from the drop-down list and click the OK button.
5. The Welcome to StudioTax 2013 Setup wizard will start.
   Click Next.
6. It will suggest storing the program in C:\Program Files\BHOK IT Consulting\StudioTax 2013\
   You can use the Browse button to move to a different folder if you want.
   When the folder is ok, click Next.
7. Review the license agreement (it’s short!) and select the dot beside I accept the terms in the License Agreement or I do not accept the terms in the License Agreement.
   Click Next.
8. Click Install. Wait.
9. Click Finish.

The program is now installed in the folder you chose (or in the default folder on C:\ drive.)

An icon has been added to your Desktop called StudioTax 2013. It’s a dark red X in a Blue circle over a maple leaf.

To use the program, you double click on the StudioTax.exe in that folder or double click on the icon.

Please make a donation to Bhok It Software if you like the program so that they can keep offering it each year.

Related Reading

Coming soon, once I use the program:

• Using StudioTax 2013 to Do Your Tax Forms
• Sending a NETFILE Return Using StudioTax 2013

Join In
Is this your first year using StudioTax or your fifth? Have you ever tried another program? Please share your experiences with a comment.