It's that time of year again. Time to break out the translucent green visor, stick a no.2 pencil behind your ear and get down to filing your tax return. Neither the visor nor the pencil are really necessary as you'll probably be filing -- or at least filling out the requisite forms -- on the computer. However, they add a certain je ne sais quois to the proceedings, so they can stay.

QuickTax
Intuit Canada
www.quicktax.ca
$19.99 - $79.99 (2 returns)
Windows only (2000 +)

All versions of personal QuickTax include only two returns and up to 18 returns with a net income of <$25,000. That's probably enough for a primary and spouse return along with any children still living at home. Unless part-time jobs pay a heck of a lot better than I remember. Still, it would be nice to have a few more returns offered to help family or friends file.

It's a user friendly software though, which is probably what makes QuickTax's claimed 3 million users keep coming back year on year. The software uses an interview process and walks users through. It also gives investment guidance for the upcoming tax year to maximize returns. New this year, the "Deduction Toolbox" which highlights deductions you may be qualified for and compiles a list of all the deductions you're claiming.

Of particular interest for small, unincorporated business owners is QuickTax Business Unincorporated which will ask you many of the same questions a good personal business accountant would to help maximize your deductions and write off legitimate expenses.

ImpôtExpert, the French language version of QuickTax helps residents of Québec file to Revenu Québec.

Next: GenuTax

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