TurboTax vs. Wealthsimple Tax 2026: Best for Gig Workers (Uber/DoorDash)

If you earned more than $0 driving for Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash last year, congratulations: The CRA considers you a "Business Owner."

This means you cannot just file a simple T4 tax return. You have to file the intimidating Form T2125 (Statement of Business Activities).

In 2026, the battle for your tax data is between two giants:

1. Wealthsimple Tax (formerly SimpleTax): The "Pay What You Want" hero.
2. TurboTax Self-Employed: The expensive but "safe" heavyweight.

Is TurboTax's $110 price tag a scam, or is it insurance against an audit? Can you really do complex self-employment taxes on Wealthsimple for free?

This guide compares them head-to-head for the specific needs of Canadian gig workers.

Need extra cash to pay your tax bill? Check out our guide on Snow Plow Operator Pay or high-paying Forklift Jobs.

1. The Pricing: Free vs. "Dynamic"

The difference in cost is massive.

Wealthsimple Tax (The Budget King)

• Cost: $0.00 (Pay What You Want).
• The Model: They ask for a voluntary "tip" at the end, but you can type $0.
• What you get: You get Full Access to all forms, including self-employment (T2125), crypto gains, and rental income. They do not lock features behind a paywall.
• Upsells: They will try to sell you the "Plus" ($40) or "Pro" ($80) plans, which include Audit Protection and Priority Support.

TurboTax Canada (The Premium Option)

• Cost: $60 - $110+ per return.
• The Model: Tiered pricing. If you try to use the "Free" version but then check the box for "Self-Employed Income," the software forces you to upgrade to the "Self-Employed" or "Premier" tier.
• What you get: A very guided, interview-style experience that holds your hand through every single expense category.

Winner: Wealthsimple. You literally cannot beat free.

2. The User Experience: "Blank Forms" vs. "The Interview"

This is where TurboTax justifies its price.

Wealthsimple: The "Search Bar" Method

Wealthsimple is fast, but it assumes you know what you are doing.

• How it works: You have to search for "Uber" or "Self-Employment" to add the form. It then presents you with the T2125 form and asks you to fill in the boxes (e.g., "Advertising," "Fuel," "Maintenance").
• The Risk: If you don't know that your Cell Phone Bill is partially deductible, Wealthsimple won't explicitly ask you about it. You have to know to add it.

TurboTax: The "Interview" Method

TurboTax treats you like you know nothing about taxes.

• How it works: It asks simple questions: "Did you drive your car for work?", "Did you buy a new phone?", "Did you buy hot bags for food delivery?"
• The Benefit: It "finds" deductions you might have missed. For a new driver who doesn't know they can write off a portion of their car insurance, this feature alone can save you $500—which pays for the software cost.

Winner: TurboTax (for beginners). Wealthsimple (for experienced drivers).

3. Deep Dive: The "Audit Defence" Factor

Gig workers are high-risk targets for CRA audits because many drivers inflate their mileage numbers.

• Wealthsimple: In the free plan, you are on your own. If the CRA sends you a letter asking for your gas receipts, you have to handle it yourself. You must pay $40 (Plus Plan) to get "Audit Support."
• TurboTax: Their "Assist & Review" packages (often $100+) include access to tax experts who can review your return before you file. They also offer a paid "Audit Defence" add-on where a professional will actually talk to the CRA for you.

Verdict: If your records are messy (e.g., you lost some gas receipts or guessed your mileage), TurboTax's review service offers peace of mind.

4. The "Auto-Import" Feature (CRA My Account)

Both platforms connect directly to the CRA's "Auto-Fill My Return" service.

• What it does: It pulls your T4s and T4As directly from the CRA database.
• The Catch for Uber Drivers: Uber and DoorDash often do not mail you tax slips. You have to download the "Tax Summary" from the driver app.
• Warning: Since these summaries are not official T4A slips in some cases, neither software can "Auto-Import" your Uber income. You must manually type in the numbers from your monthly summaries. Do not forget this. If you rely on Auto-Fill, you will under-report your income and get fined.

5. Crypto & Stock Trading (Wealthsimple's Edge)

Many gig workers also trade crypto or stocks on the side.

• Wealthsimple Tax integrates natively with Wealthsimple Trade. If you bought Bitcoin or Tesla stock on their app, it calculates your Capital Gains/Losses automatically in seconds.
• TurboTax can import from some brokers, but it is often clunky and requires uploading CSV files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay CPP (Pension) if I drive for Uber?

Yes.

• As a self-employed worker, you must pay both portions of the CPP (Canada Pension Plan).
• Normally, your employer pays half. Since you are your own boss, you pay double (approx. 11.9% of your net income).
• Shock Warning: Many drivers spend their earnings all year and forget this. When they file taxes, they are shocked to owe the CRA $3,000 in CPP contributions.

Can I deduct my lunch?

Generally, No.

• You cannot deduct the burger you ate while driving. The CRA says you have to eat regardless of whether you are working.
• You can deduct food/entertainment if you were taking a client out for a meeting (50% rule), but for Uber Eats drivers, this almost never applies.

What if I can't pay the tax I owe?

• File Anyway. The penalty for filing late (5%) is worse than the penalty for paying late (1%).
• File your return on time (April 30), and then set up a payment plan with the CRA.

Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Wealthsimple Tax (Free) if:

1. You are organized: You have a spreadsheet with all your gas, insurance, and repair costs.
2. You are broke: You truly cannot afford the $60+ fee.
3. You have used it before: The interface is clean, fast, and fully functional.

Choose TurboTax Self-Employed ($60 - $110) if:

1. It is your first year: You have no idea what "CCA Class 10.1" means (that's the code for your car depreciation). TurboTax will do the math for you.
2. You are anxious: You want the "Audit Risk Meter" to tell you if your deductions look suspicious before you send them.
3. You want a human review: The "Assist & Review" feature allows a pro to check your work.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur who studies hiring trends, labour market data, and real entry-level opportunities across Canada. He specializes in simplifying the job search for newcomers, students, and workers using practical, up-to-date information.

Sources

• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): T4002 Self-employed Business, Professional, Commission, Farming, and Fishing Income. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html
• Wealthsimple Tax: Pricing and Features 2026. https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tax
• Intuit TurboTax: Self-Employed Products & Pricing.¹⁷ https://turbotax.intuit.ca/

Note

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.