Create a new return - Saving and Editing

After exiting the quick start wizard, StudioTax loads the main Federal and Provincial forms. A new set of tabs are created that can be used to easily navigate through the forms:

The first task you need to do is to save your return. Use the Save button highlighted by the red circle to save your return to a file. The file extension is .stx and by default Studiotax will try to save under the My Document folder. You can browse to a different location and/or change the file name. It's recommended that you keep the file extension to .stx. Never change the extension to a .TAX since that extension is reserved to the NETFILE file format. The Next tutorial page describes how you can create a .TAX Netfile file.

Even though you can start the Wizard at any time to modify your tax information, it is faster to just go to the form or TSlip directly and make the change. For example, assume this particular user forgot to enter one extra T4, then he/she can press on the TSlip tab highlighted by the red circle on the next picture and add the extra T4:

If you received a Quebec RL1, then you can check the Quebec RL slips and enter the RL1 amounts.

Much the same way as any other windows application, you can save your return, exit Studiotax and at a later time continue working on your return.

When you restart Studiotax, you will notice a button that links your saved return. StudioTax maintains links to the last 4 returns you loaded. You can click on the button and open your return to resume.

In this example the user wants to claim an Ontario political contribution. This particular claim can be make on line 22 of the ON479 form. Use the following 3 simple steps: (1) click on the Provincial Forms tab, (2) click on ON479 tab, and (3) click on line 6110 and enter the amount of rent paid.

You can add more Federal and Provincial forms by using the Forms button highlighted by number (4) on the previous picture. A Form management window is displayed. You can add/remove any form. Studiotax maintains a set of forms loaded all the time that you cannot remove them.

Note that adding or removing a form does not mean that you added/removed that form to/from your return. The forms are used to display your tax data maintained in Studiotax memory. For example you can add or remove schedule 9 from the added forms but as long as you have charitable donations, Schedule 9 will be part of your return.

After you finish editing and reviewing your return, you most likely want to file your return by sending it to CRA. You have 2 options you can use to file your return: 1) Print it, sign it, attach you receipts and copy of your TSlips, and mail through the post office to CRA or 2) create a .TAX file and use CRA netfile site to send the .TAX file to CRA.

To print your return use the "Print" button and follow the instruction provided by the Print wizard. Use the NETFILE button to invoke the Netfile wizard that will assist you in generating a .TAX file. The next tutorial page will provide a detailed description of generating a .TAX file.

Use Next> below to continue with the tutorial.