# Kosh vs TurboTax and Wealthsimple Tax: Plan vs File > Tax software files last year's return; Kosh plans this year's tax while you can still change it. How Kosh compares with TurboTax and Wealthsimple Tax. Source: https://trykosh.com/compare/kosh-vs-tax-software Compare - Kosh and tax software # Kosh vs tax software like TurboTax and Wealthsimple Tax Tax software files your return in the spring. Kosh doesn't file anything. It works on your tax during the year, while an RRSP contribution, an FHSA or a donation can still change the answer. Most people need both kinds of tool. Checked October 31, 2026Written by Kosh, so read with that in mind On this page[In short](#in-short)[Side by side](#side-by-side)[Filing vs planning](#filing-vs-planning)[What tax software does that Kosh can't](#what-software-does)[What Kosh does that tax software doesn't](#what-kosh-does)[What tax software costs](#cost)[A year with both](#a-year)[FAQs](#faq) **In short** - Tax software, such as TurboTax Canada and Wealthsimple Tax, prepares and NETFILEs your return. Kosh can't file and doesn't try to. - Kosh plans the year before it ends: your marginal rate, what an RRSP or FHSA contribution saves, tax on RSUs and side income, and instalment reminders. - As of 31 October 2026, Wealthsimple Tax Basic is pay-what-you-want (even $0), Plus $40 and Pro $80, plus tax. TurboTax Canada has a free product for simple returns and paid tiers priced by product and filing date. - Use Kosh during the year and your choice of certified software in the spring. ## Side by side Kosh Tax software (TurboTax, Wealthsimple Tax and others) Job Plan this year's tax File last year's return Files with the CRA No Yes, through NETFILE When you use it All year Mostly February to April Imports your slips No Usually, via the CRA's Auto-fill my return Shows what an RRSP or FHSA contribution saves before year end Yes Shows the effect when you enter it at filing Spending, leaks, registered-account order Yes No Expert help Chat CFO; not a tax professional Available on some paid tiers Price (as of 31 Oct 2026) Starter free; Pro CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year, with a 7-day free trial Wealthsimple Tax: pay what you want, $40, $80 (+tax). TurboTax: Free for simple returns; paid tiers vary ## Filing vs planning To file online, you use software the CRA has certified for NETFILE. The CRA's list includes free and paid programs. Good tax software walks you through your slips, finds credits you qualify for and files the return. By then, though, the year is over: the main move left is an RRSP contribution in the first 60 days of the new year. Kosh works earlier. From your statements, it estimates your federal and provincial tax during the year, shows your marginal rate and works out what moves would cut your bill while there's still time: an FHSA contribution before December 31, donations, tax-loss selling, RRSP room. See [how to pay less tax in Canada](/learn/how-to-pay-less-tax-canada). ## What tax software does that Kosh can't - **Files your return** with the CRA through NETFILE, and with Revenu Québec where supported. - **Imports your slips** from your CRA account with Auto-fill my return, so T4s and other slips arrive filled in. - **Offers expert help or review** on some paid tiers. Wealthsimple Tax Pro includes access to tax experts, and TurboTax offers Assist & Review and Full Service products. - **Offers audit support** on some tiers, such as Wealthsimple Tax Plus and Pro. ## What Kosh does that tax software doesn't - **Plans during the year,** not after it. You see the effect of a contribution before you make it. - **Handles the messy middle:** RSUs vesting, a side business, capital gains from selling investments. See [stock options and RSU tax](/learn/stock-options-and-rsu-tax-canada). - **Reminds you** before the RRSP deadline, instalment dates and filing day. - **Looks beyond tax:** spending, fees, subscriptions and which registered account to fill first. ## What tax software costs As of 31 October 2026, Wealthsimple Tax lists Basic at pay-what-you-want (even $0), Plus at $40 and Pro at $80, plus tax, with Plus and Pro free for some Wealthsimple client tiers. TurboTax Canada lists a free product for simple returns; its paid products (Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed, Assist & Review and Full Service) are priced by product and when you file, so check its pricing page. If your income is modest and your situation simple, a free CRA-supported tax clinic may file for you. Kosh Starter is free. Kosh Pro is CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year, with a 7-day free trial. ## A year with both 1. **January to April:** file last year's return with certified software. Use Kosh's numbers to sanity-check the result. 2. **Through the year:** upload statements to Kosh. Watch your marginal rate and room as income changes. 3. **October to December:** act on Kosh's year-end list: FHSA contributions, donations, tax-loss selling. 4. **January to early March:** decide your RRSP contribution with Kosh's estimate of the refund. See [your tax refund](/learn/tax-refund-canada). [Free tool**Income tax calculator**Work out your 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP and EI, and what you keep, in any province or territory. Add self-employment income, capital gains and RRSP contributions to see how each one changes the bill.](/tools/income-tax-calculator)[Free tool**RRSP tax refund calculator**Find out how much tax an RRSP contribution saves you this year, and what it really costs once the refund comes back.](/tools/rrsp-calculator)[Free tool**Marginal tax rate calculator**See how much of your next dollar goes to tax in your province, on salary and interest, capital gains and dividends. It's the number that decides what an RRSP contribution saves and what a raise is worth.](/tools/marginal-tax-rate-calculator)[Free tool**Capital gains tax calculator**Enter what you sold something for, what you paid and your other income to see the tax on the gain in your province. Half of a capital gain is taxable.](/tools/capital-gains-tax-calculator) **Where Kosh fits** Kosh doesn't file returns or replace certified tax software. It's the planning side: what to do before December 31 and before the RRSP deadline so the return you file is smaller. ## Free tools to try first [Free tool**Income tax calculator**Work out your 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP and EI, and what you keep, in any province or territory. Add self-employment income, capital gains and RRSP contributions to see how each one changes the bill.](/tools/income-tax-calculator)[Free tool**RRSP tax refund calculator**Find out how much tax an RRSP contribution saves you this year, and what it really costs once the refund comes back.](/tools/rrsp-calculator)[Free tool**Marginal tax rate calculator**See how much of your next dollar goes to tax in your province, on salary and interest, capital gains and dividends. It's the number that decides what an RRSP contribution saves and what a raise is worth.](/tools/marginal-tax-rate-calculator)[Free tool**Capital gains tax calculator**Enter what you sold something for, what you paid and your other income to see the tax on the gain in your province. Half of a capital gain is taxable.](/tools/capital-gains-tax-calculator) ## Frequently asked questions Can Kosh file my tax return? No. Kosh estimates your tax and plans moves during the year, but it does not file returns. Use CRA-certified tax software or a professional to file. How much does Wealthsimple Tax cost? As of 31 October 2026, Wealthsimple Tax Basic is pay what you want, including $0, Plus is $40 and Pro is $80, plus tax. Is TurboTax free in Canada? TurboTax Canada offers a free product for simple returns. Its paid products are priced by product and filing date, so check its pricing page for current prices. Is there free tax software in Canada? Yes. The CRA's list of NETFILE-certified software includes free and pay-what-you-want options. People with a modest income and a simple tax situation may also get their return done at a free tax clinic. Why use Kosh if I already use tax software? Tax software files the year that's over. Kosh works during the year, so you can see what an RRSP, FHSA or donation would save while you can still make it, and it also covers spending and registered-account planning. ## Sources - [CRA: Certified tax software for filing online (NETFILE)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html) - [CRA: Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (free tax clinics)](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html) - [Wealthsimple Tax (checked 31 October 2026)](https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax) - [TurboTax Canada pricing (checked 31 October 2026)](https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tax/pricing) Descriptions and prices of other products come from their public websites as of October 31, 2026 and may have changed since. Kosh is our product. Product names belong to their owners. Kosh is an educational financial planning tool by Primedepth Labs. It is not registered with any Canadian securities regulator as an adviser or dealer, does not recommend specific securities, and does not hold your money or execute trades. Tax figures are estimates; confirm with the CRA or a qualified professional before acting. Investing carries risk. ## See what Kosh finds in your statements. Upload one bank or card statement. Kosh maps your money, estimates your tax and shows the one thing to fix first. It never asks for bank logins and can't move money. [Start free](/signup?via=compare-kosh-vs-tax-software)