Taxes · Filing

DIY taxes vs hiring an accountant

Q: How much does an accountant cost for taxes in Canada?

As a rough 2026 guide: a basic personal return runs about $75–$200 , a return with investments or a rental about $150–$350 , a self-employed (T2125) return about $200–$500+ , and an incorporated business (T2) anywhere from $400 to several thousand depending on bookkeeping and complexity. Hourly tax-planning advice runs $150–$400+. These are typical ranges only — fees vary by region, complexity and how organized your records are, so get a quote.

Most Canadians do not need an accountant — free software files a normal return for $0. But once your return grows moving parts, a professional can save far more than they cost. Here is how to tell which camp you are in, what the alternatives cost, and the middle ground in between.

Updated June 2026

File it yourself if…

You have employment (T4) income, maybe a pension, RRSP contributions and the usual credits
Your investments are in registered accounts, or you have straightforward T3/T5 slips and capital gains
You rent out nothing, or a single simple property
Your situation is similar year to year and you are comfortable with Auto-fill My Return

Compare tax software

Hire a pro if…

You are self-employed with meaningful expenses, home-office claims, or vehicle and capital-cost allowance
You incorporated, or are deciding whether to — a corporate T2 is its own return
You have multiple rental properties, a sale of property, or a principal-residence-exemption question
You had a big life event: marriage breakdown, death of a spouse, an inheritance, leaving or entering Canada
You have foreign income or assets over $100k (the T1135), US tax exposure, or stock options
You are facing a CRA review or audit, or you are catching up on several unfiled years
You want active tax planning — income splitting, an RRSP-meltdown strategy, a business sale — not just filing

If two or more of these apply, an accountant is usually worth it.

What it costs

What tax preparation costs in Canada (2026)

Typical ranges only — fees vary widely by region, complexity and how organized your records are. Treat these as a starting point and get a quote.

What you need done	Typical cost	Notes
Simple personal return (T4, RRSP, credits)	$75 – $200	Often cheaper than the time you would spend — but free software does this too
Personal return with investments / one rental	$150 – $350	Depends on the number of slips and how organized your records are
Self-employed (T2125) personal return	$200 – $500+	The fee is deductible as a business expense
Incorporated small business (T2 + financials)	$400 – $3,000+	Bookkeeping state and complexity drive this widely
Tax planning / advisory (per hour or project)	$150 – $400+/hr	For strategy, not just filing

One important offset: if you are self-employed, the fee to prepare the business portion of your return is a deductible business expense on Form T2125 (per the CRA) — so the real, after-tax cost of an accountant is lower than the sticker price.

The middle ground

You do not have to choose all-or-nothing

Between "file it yourself for free" and "hand it to an accountant" sits assisted filing, and for many people it is the sweet spot. You prepare the return in the software — which is fast and cheap — and a tax professional reviews it or takes it over the line.

Expert review

TurboTax Assist & Review and H&R Block online expert (from ~$49.99) put a professional set of eyes on the return you prepared — cheaper than a full accountant, more reassurance than going it alone.

Full hand-off

TurboTax Full Service has an expert prepare and file it for you online (about $120–$315, not in Quebec). H&R Block's offices do the same in person — the closest thing to an accountant without the relationship.

Free, then escalate

Start free with Wealthsimple Tax; if the return turns out trickier than expected, you have lost nothing by trying — switch to assisted or an accountant before you file.

Before you decide, see your actual numbers:

Income tax & refund Best tax software WS Tax vs TurboTax vs H&R Block

Common questions

DIY vs accountant FAQ

Should I do my own taxes or hire an accountant?

If you have a typical T4 return — employment income, RRSP, common credits, simple investments — free software like Wealthsimple Tax files it accurately for $0, and an accountant adds little. Hire a professional when complexity or stakes rise: self-employment with real expenses, a corporation, multiple rentals, foreign income or assets, a major life event, or a CRA audit. The deciding question is not "how much money do I make" — it is "how many moving parts does my return have, and what does a mistake cost me?"

How much does an accountant cost for taxes in Canada?

As a rough 2026 guide: a basic personal return runs about $75–$200, a return with investments or a rental about $150–$350, a self-employed (T2125) return about $200–$500+, and an incorporated business (T2) anywhere from $400 to several thousand depending on bookkeeping and complexity. Hourly tax-planning advice runs $150–$400+. These are typical ranges only — fees vary by region, complexity and how organized your records are, so get a quote.

Are accountant or tax-preparation fees tax deductible?

For employees with a simple return, generally no. But if you are self-employed, the cost of preparing the business portion of your return is a deductible business expense on Form T2125 (per CRA). Fees for managing or advising on investments held outside registered accounts may also be deductible (carrying charges). When in doubt, the accountant preparing the return can tell you which of their own fees you can claim.

Is there a middle ground between DIY and a full accountant?

Yes — assisted filing. TurboTax offers Assist & Review (an expert checks your finished return) and Full Service (an expert files it for you), and H&R Block offers online expert review or an in-person office visit. These cost more than DIY software but far less than a dedicated accountant, and they suit people who can mostly do their own return but want a professional set of eyes on it.

When is hiring an accountant clearly worth it?

When the tax at stake dwarfs the fee. Incorporating (or deciding whether to), selling a business or property, leaving or entering Canada, settling an estate, or untangling several years of unfiled returns are all situations where a good accountant routinely saves more than they charge — and keeps you onside with the CRA. For ongoing strategy (income splitting, an RRSP meltdown, pension splitting), an accountant or fee-only planner pays for itself over years, not one filing.

Educational only, not tax advice. Cost figures are typical 2026 ranges gathered from Canadian tax-preparation providers and vary by region, complexity and records — confirm with a quote. The deductibility of self-employment preparation fees is per the CRA (Form T2125). See our methodology.