Just in time for the 2003 tax season, Colin Griffiths & Associates has launched its newest version of consumer tax software package GriffTax Simple. This is the first time that the company will be selling the PC software at major retail outlets.

Rick Ingram, CEO of GriffTax, notes that “a large percentage of Canadians have not yet taken advantage of NetFile for their tax filing needs. This is because many Canadians don’t feel they have the knowledge, time or patience to learn how to use a complex tax software product – and they consider it too expensive He says his program, priced at $19.95, removes these barriers.

GriffTax Simple was first developed in early 2003 as an Internet download software product for Canadians with simple tax situations consisting only of a T4 slip and RRSP contributions. Today, the program is a full-function piece of software that addresses the needs of all Canadian taxpayers. The product is available at major retailers across the country including BestBuy, FutureShop, and London Drugs.

GriffTax Simple is also available for a free trial from www.grifftax.ca. Users can download the software onto their computers and run it offline to calculate their taxes. Upon completion, if they wish to file their return, they can purchase a license key from GriffTax at that time.

The program is available in both French and English versions, and also supports Revenu Quebec’s tax return process. Help is available via the company’s Web site, e-mail, and by toll-free phone. Upon completion, consumers can choose to NetFile or print out a copy for traditional paper filing.

For Mac users, GriffTax will also continue to offer its GriffTax Classic product via London Drugs and a variety of retailers.