Browse all FAQs for myTaxExpress features.
Installation and Updates
Install myTaxExpress
Since myTaxExpress is a desktop application, please download one of the myTaxExpress software installers from our Download page first. Make sure you download an appropriate version of the software.
Note: myTaxExpress can be downloaded and tried out for free.
When you are ready to file electronically, you can buy a license to activate all functions.
For Windows, double-click the installer to launch the setup wizard. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
For Mac computers, please follow the instructions on this FAQ page.
Software Updates
For a particular version, we may release several updates for the latest CRA changes or bug fixes. We will announce the latest release date on our website. You can check the release time within the software by the Help > About myTaxExpress menu to verify if it is the latest version.
On a Windows computer
Please read the FAQ page: How to Install
myTaxExpress (Windows)?
On a Mac computer
Please read the FAQ page: How to set up
myTaxExpress (2019
and prior versions) on Mac computer?
Your license key and data files will be retained and still work after this updating process.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
JRE is only required if you want to generate printable tax form (.pdf) files locally on your own machine for myTaxExpress software prior to the year 2009.
JRE is a free software package. There are two ways to get JRE setup files:
- Get JRE setup file from JRE-bundled myTaxExpress installer. After you install the JRE-bundled myTaxExpress, you will see the myTaxExpress installation directory expand like the following:
- Download the Java SE package from Oracle Java Archive Website.
Double-click the setup file to install JRE on your machine.
Install a license key
Important: myTaxExpress license is purchased for a specific version and a single installation. So a license key can't be used or transferred to another installation or computer.
After purchasing a license on the website, a license instruction email will be sent to your payment email address shortly.
Retrieve a license key online
An Internet connection is required during the retrieval process.
- Launch myTaxExpress software, click the License/Help > Retrieve License Key Online… menu or the Help/License > Retrieve license key online menu.
- A Retrieve License Key Online window will pop up. Enter your payment email address and verification code provided in the license instruction email. Click the Next button or the Retrieve License Key Online button to complete the process.
You can find more information on the FAQ page: How to retrieve license key online?
Install a license key manually
Alternatively, you can install a license key manually if online license retrieval is not available.
- Launch myTaxExpress software, click the License/Help > Install License Key Manually... menu or the Help/License > Install license key manually menu.
- A Manual License Key Installation window will pop up.
- In older versions of the software, click the Generate PIN Email button. A notepad window will appear with a license PIN bound to the installation. Please manually copy and paste the PIN to an email and send it to our contact email.
- In newer versions of the software, click the Send License Pin to myTaxExpress button. Enter your payment email address in the new field; an email will be sent to us automatically. A license key will be issued with the PIN. Please copy and paste the license key into the License key field to complete the process.
You can find more information on the FAQ page: How to install a license key manually?
Preparing and filing returns
Create new return
After launching myTaxExpress software, follow the following steps to create a new return.
- Click the Start > Create new tax return… menu or the New Return icon in the Quick Toolbars.
- A New tax return window shows up asking for basic personal information. Please verify Social Insurance Number and Marital Status fields before clicking the Next button. You won't be able to change these fields unless you create a new return from scratch.
- You can fill in some optional information in the next couple of windows, e.g., dependant, spouse, or common-law partner information.
- Finally, the new return file is created and opened in the main interface of the software.
myTaxExpress Interface
Menu bar: contains all commands you can use in the software, e.g., add/remove forms and slips, validate returns, license installation, etc.
Toolbar: quick access to some common commands, e.g. new return, validate, NETFILE/EFILE, Preference, etc.
Navigation Pane: List all slips/forms in the return. Select different slips or forms to work.
Main Workspace: When a form or slip is selected in the left Navigation Pane, the content of that form or slip is displayed here.
License Indicator: Whether the current software is licensed or not.
Summary Bar: The summary of the current return for Total Income/Taxable Income and Refund/Balance Due.
Save a return
You can save the return with the Start > Save Return File menu or Save (Save Now) icon in the Toolbar in the software.
The software saves the file with a default name and a default folder location configured in the Preference settings in the software. You can pick a filename you'd like, and select any folder on your computer. Click the Save button to save the return file.
Preference Configuration
You can change default settings in software by accessing the Start > Preference menu or the Preference icon in the Toolbar.
Usually, you can change default settings about where to store tax data files (with the .rxx file extension) and printable tax return files (in PDF format).
For EFILE software, EFiler ID and password are set here too.
There might be other settings tabs for different features in newer software, e.g. docsign.ca integration, etc.
Read more on How to change EFiler ID and password FAQ page.
Open an existing return
Click the Start > Open Existing Tax Return… menu or the Start > Open Return menu or the Open (Open Return) icon in the Toolbar. Choose the return file you've saved last time, and click the Open button to open the file.
Read Also FAQ: How to find recently open return files?
Add/Remove Tax Slip
There are two ways to add or remove tax slips in the software.
- Use the Slips/Notes menu in the software.
- Tax Slips are grouped and listed in the left Navigation Pane (tree view) of the software. Right-click on the Tax Slips node to bring up the context menu to add a slip or select a slip to remove it.
Add Tax Form
There are two ways to add tax forms in the software.
- Use the Forms > Add a Tax Form menu in the software.
- Sometimes a form can be added automatically. When you try to input a field that needs another tax form to support, a dialog box will pop up, asking you if you want to work on that form. Click the 'Yes' button, and you will be brought to the new tax form. For example, when you try to type in field 12100 for interest income in T1 Form, you will be prompted to include Schedule 4.
Remove Tax Form
There are two ways to remove tax forms in the software.
- Use the Forms > Remove Selected Form/Schedule menu in the software.
- Right-click on the form node in the left Navigation Pane (tree view) of the software. Select Remove Selected Form/Schedule from the context menu.
Validate returns
Use the Validate feature to check if your return is ready to file. The software will cross-check the forms and report any errors or missing forms.
You can find more information on the FAQ page: Validate your returns before filing
File returns electronically
Use the NETFILE or EFILE feature to file your tax return electronically to the CRA.
You can find more information on the FAQ page: How to netfile your return to CRA?
You can find more information on the FAQ page: How to efile a return from within myTaxExpress?
What is difference between NETFILE and EFILE?
You can find more information on the FAQ page: Should I use netfile or efile software?
Coupled Return
For couples (married or common-law), you can prepare both returns in the same return file. Some couple-related tax data can be automatically shared between the two returns.
You can find more information on the FAQ page: What's a coupled return?