The StudioTax Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about StudioTax in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
StudioTax
The Insider’s Guide
Canadian personal tax software for desktop and mobile
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among accounting and invoicing tools, read from StudioTax’s own pages.
Made by BHOK IT Consulting · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from StudioTax’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on StudioTax’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 118 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade
StudioTax is Canadian personal income tax software installed on Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad or Android rather than run online. One version covers all returns, with a license of $17.50 needed to print or file once income is above $20,000. Data is kept on your own device.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about StudioTax, taken from its own pages and our grades.
A program you install and start with nothing to set up, and no store rating on record.
- 1
Best for Canadian personal returns on your own computer
StudioTax is Canadian personal tax software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
- 2
Paid plans start at $1.46 a month when paid by the year for each person
As its pricing page puts it: $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free for total income (line 15000) under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU; versions for 2019 and earlier are free.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
- 5
Runs on your device
The site says returns are saved on your own drive and no information leaves your computer.
- 6
NETFILE and ReFILE
Windows, Mac, iOS and Android versions carry CRA certification for NETFILE, ReFILE and Auto-fill my return.
- 7
Wide coverage
Covers simple returns through self-employment and rental income, with a restrictions page listing uncommon situations it does not handle.
- 8
A 3.0 GPA, above 118 of 127
That is against the other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of StudioTax you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
StudioTax at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- Made by
- BHOK IT Consulting
- Category
- Accounting & Invoicing
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for Canadian personal returns on your own computer
StudioTax is Canadian personal tax software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It is free under $20,000 of income and $17.50 a tax year otherwise, but the Mac version does not list Revenu Québec certification.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $17.50 per tax year covers 10 returns on a computer, under a year of the category's middle subscription, and it is free for low incomes. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free for income under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU, but everyone else needs the $17.50 license before printing or filing. |
| Features | C | NETFILE, ReFILE, linked returns and wide coverage do the job, but Mac has no Revenu Québec certification listed. |
| Ease of use | B | A program you install and start with nothing to set up, and no store rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, with no integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who StudioTax is for
- Fits if you file Canadian returns for your own household on a computer or phone
- Works for people under $20,000 of income who want to file free
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you prepare clients' returns, as CRA rules bar it and a separate Enterprise edition exists
- Watch out: the Mac version lists no Revenu Québec certification
- Tight if you file every year, as a new license is needed each tax year, per computer
- Watch out: licenses are refundable within 30 days only if not activated
Good to know
Good for
- Canadians who want a local desktop program rather than a cloud service
- Low-income filers and northern residents who can use it free
Worth knowing
- A new license is needed for every tax year; it is per computer, covers 10 returns, and the 2025 license also works for 2020 to 2024 versions.
- The Mac version does not have Revenu Québec certification listed; Windows, iOS and Android do.
- Tax preparers cannot use it for clients' returns under CRA rules; a separate Enterprise edition exists at studiotax.ca.
- Licenses are refundable within 30 days only if not activated.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$1.46
A month to start, paid by the year, for each person. There is a free plan too
StudioTax has a free plan. Paid plans start at $17.50 per tax year for a license covering 10 returns.
Free
$0
For income under $20,000 (combined $40,000 for linked returns) and residents of the northern territories.
License
$17.50
per tax year, for up to 10 returns, per computer
Needed before printing or filing; a second license covers 10 more returns, CRA allows 20 per computer.
The free plan
Free for total income (line 15000) under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU; versions for 2019 and earlier are free.
Read from studiotax.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
Free for income under $20,000
Individuals with line 15000 income under $20,000 and residents of NT, YT and NU need no license.
Stated on studiotax.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
Canadian personal tax software for desktop and mobile. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, forms, calculator.
NETFILE, ReFILE, linked returns and wide coverage do the job, but Mac has no Revenu Québec certification listed.
- Runs on your device
- The site says returns are saved on your own drive and no information leaves your computer.
- NETFILE and ReFILE
- Windows, Mac, iOS and Android versions carry CRA certification for NETFILE, ReFILE and Auto-fill my return.
- Wide coverage
- Covers simple returns through self-employment and rental income, with a restrictions page listing uncommon situations it does not handle.
- Linked returns
- Returns for couples can be linked and prepared together.
- One version
- A single edition has all features, with the CRA's maximum of 20 returns.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
StudioTax is made by BHOK IT Consulting.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
118/127
Other accounting and invoicing tools it is graded above
StudioTax's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 118 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 2.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 111 of 127) and worst on features (C, above 7).
Its paid plans start at $1.46 a month when paid by the year for each person, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 0 of the 90 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 1 tool scores higher and costs less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 128 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. StudioTax’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 111 of 127
- BFree plan and trialAbove 93 of 127
- CFeaturesAbove 7 of 127
- BEase of useAbove 116 of 127
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 28 of 127
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 101 accounting and invoicing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. StudioTax is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of StudioTax you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 118 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade. It costs $17.50 a year.
What you could make
- Calculator and forms: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- It is priced for each person, which means accounts and billing for a team.
What this rests on. StudioTax’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
UFile, Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax and TaxAct
The 4 tools StudioTax is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
UFile
Free plan · from $20.95
Canadian tax software, online or for Windows, free to start.
- Only StudioTax lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Only UFile lists a web app.
- 3.0GPA
Wealthsimple Tax
Free plan · from $40/yr
Canadian personal tax filing with a pay-what-you-want basic plan.
- Only StudioTax lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Wealthsimple Tax lists a web app.
- 2.8GPA
TurboTax
Free plan · from $84/yr
US personal and business tax filing, self-serve or with an expert.
- Only StudioTax lists Windows, macOS and Android apps.
- Only TurboTax lists a web app.
- StudioTax also covers forms.
- 2.4GPA
TaxAct
Free plan · from $44.99/yr
Online and downloadable tax filing for individuals and businesses.
- Only StudioTax lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Only TaxAct lists a web app.
- StudioTax also covers forms.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is StudioTax free?
StudioTax has a free plan. Free for total income (line 15000) under $20,000 and for residents of NT, YT and NU; versions for 2019 and earlier are free.
How much does StudioTax cost?
StudioTax lists 2 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does StudioTax work on?
StudioTax is available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Does StudioTax offer any discounts?
StudioTax publicly lists the following: Free for income under $20,000.
Does StudioTax have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. StudioTax is listed for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Is StudioTax open source?
StudioTax is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does StudioTax work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes StudioTax?
StudioTax is made by BHOK IT Consulting.
What are the alternatives to StudioTax?
The closest alternatives to StudioTax in our directory are UFile, Wealthsimple Tax, TurboTax and TaxAct.
How does StudioTax compare with other accounting and invoicing tools?
StudioTax's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 118 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 2.
Is StudioTax good value for money?
ToolGPA grades StudioTax A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $1.46 a month when paid by the year for each person, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 0 of the 90 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of StudioTax?
The plain part of StudioTax you could make: calculator and forms. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from StudioTax’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from StudioTax's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by BHOK IT Consulting. Prices change, so check studiotax.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- StudioTax, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/studiotax
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "StudioTax: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/studiotax
Know someone choosing between accounting and invoicing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/studiotax/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded accounting and invoicing tools after StudioTax, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Accounting & Invoicing Insider's GuideEvery one of the 129 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Invoice Insider's GuideFree invoicing app from Zoho for freelancers and small businesses3.6 GPA
- Zoho Books Insider's GuideOnline accounting from Zoho, with a free plan and six paid tiers3.4 GPA
- Cash App Taxes Insider's GuideFree federal and state tax filing inside Cash App3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what StudioTax’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. StudioTax is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by BHOK IT Consulting. Prices and plans change: check studiotax.com before you buy.