Alberta leads for online filing

Albertans were the Canadians most likely to file their tax returns online this year, according to a 2007 Decima report conducted for tax prep software Ufile. When asked if they would file their 2006 returns over the Internet, 39% of respondents in Alberta said they would, followed by 36% in BC, 32% in Ontario, 31% in Atlantic Canada and 29% in Quebec. Manitoba and Saskatchewan had the lowest percentage of would-be Internet filers at 27%.

Interestingly, the reasons given for filing online also vary by region. The majority of respondents in Ontario (64%), BC (64%), Alberta (51%) and Manitoba/Saskatchewan (50%) said they would file over the Internet because it was easier. Most respondents in Quebec (50%) and the Atlantic provinces (53%), however, said it was to get a faster tax refund. Eight percent of Canadians said they would file online because it was less expensive than other tax preparation services or an accountant, and 2% said it would deliver a more accurate return.