Discussions

I buy a tax program and do mine and my two sons with it. Interview method is best and it costs less than $35

Like CeeJay55, we use a program that asks all the questions, points out things we missed, gives tax savings advice, knows our info from the previous year, and lets me run the numbers for the best RRSP options. The info is saved on the computer, we print out a hard copy (just because old habits are hard to break) and we get to e-file. Refund is back in about 2 weeks.

I use Studio Tax. Its interface isn't the best, but it's free and accurate for simple returns like yours.

I bought this before it was free as it had free updates. Now I think it's free for everyone. I've used this for the last 5 years to do mine and hubby's. I can do both returns simultaneously and they netfile direct at the end. There's a choice of either in depth interview or compact if you know what you're doing and want to skip what's not relevant. I find it very easy. And free!

TurboTax is totally free online. Also takes about 20 minutes.  
Terrible to hear that

My son uses this site. At the top right corner, it says start your free return. He has used this site for three years now and it does not cost anything.

Fees go up after April 1 every year from what the current seasons fees start at. It's like an early bird special, you go in early in the season and you save. Fees are not just head office company based across Canada but govt regulated as well depending on what type service you request as well. Meaning if you do cash back or not. There is alot more done on a clients return than most are aware of as well. As well you have the companies backing for the year for any issues or concerns that may arise with revenue canada as well. As anything you pay for what you receive. There are lots of programs out there,but you're not always getting all you can get with them either. Just some of the knowledge on what you can or cannot claim is one. We have multitudes of customers that come to us after going online to help fix issues or do adjustments. So to each their own and sorry you had a pricey experience but I personally would rather have someone that knows and has other support doing mine than taking a chance on a free program.

Not quite what I said but ok, but as I did state though to each their own. Was only stating facts. Cheers

Velda has a good point. If you do something wrong on your return, the government will come back at you( like if you get audited and ended up claiming something you can't). Taking your taxes to a company ensures that you are in the clear if something goes wrong. The company will be in the hot seat if there is a mistake. I use a major company out in Virden, and it costs a lot more then what you had to pay, but at the end of the day, it's done, done right, and my butt is covered if something is wrong.

even if you do not feel comfortable doing them yourself, shop around. That is an atrocious amount for one tax return. I learned years ago not to go there.  
 
With fees like that I don't know why people keep going back. Maybe they have to charge higher fees as they are not getting the business they used to with everyone doing them their selves.

I worked at Farley, Kempthorne LLP for five years and they most certainly did not raise their prices come April 1. Never heard of such a thing. Our clients received all the knowledge these two CGAs with long term experience could give them.

I'm speaking of tax pro companies not accountants? Not sure why you'd compare? Good to know though.

If the company makes an error on your taxes, I doubt you are 'covered' when CRA comes to ask.  
 
You have to answer for your taxes & they will be looking for the money from you, not the company you paid.  
 
This happened to me and it was not a huge ordeal. We just sent in our papers and explained and paid what we owed.  
 
Not worth 180 every year for sure!

FarmerMike said "Velda has a good point. If you do something wrong on your return, the government will come back at you( like if you get audited and ended up claiming something you can't). Taking your taxes to a company ensures that you are in the clear if something goes wrong. The company will be in the hot seat if there is a mistake. I use a major company out in Virden, and it costs a lot more then what you had to pay, but at the end of the day, it's done, done right, and my butt is covered if something is wrong. "

I worked over 8 years at a big accounting firm. If something is done wrong, you are still owe, not the person or firm who did the return. You sign your tax return, you are responsible! Also, I can say I personally use Turbo tax and it's very easy. I have prepared hundreds of returns over my 8 years and when I left I found turbo tax to be the easiest to switch to. I have used studio tax as well but I find it a pain. Also, the firm I worked for certainly didn't up the price after April 1st. I think it's disgusting that anyone would do that. Also, just to clear something up, cra does not dictate what to charge, they dictate the most you can charge on cash back. Velda, you make me sad for anyone who goes to A personal tax place like the one you speak of. Not a lot goes on behind the scenes for someone with a few forms. It's certainly not worth anywhere near what he paid.  
 
Edited by Never_give_up, 2016-04-17 19:37:35

We usually go to a tax place and have never paid that much and have more complicated taxes. This year we went to the tax place got somebody who didn't know how to do our taxes, couldn't ask the senior staff because they were busy and pretty much said it was our fault for not requesting a senior staff (we didn't know they hired people who don't always know what to do and nobody ever asked us how complicated our taxes might be when booking). What a waste of time. We took back all our stuff and went to an accountant and it cost 180 for both of us together, we will continue to use her and never go back to the tax place.

So everyone who starts a job begins as an expert in every area of their field? Not to be rude but have you actually looked at the tax act? Taxes can be extremely complex or they can be stupid easy, most fall somewhere in between. It would take decades for someone to become an expert in MOST areas of taxes and I say most because there's literally nobody out there that knows it all because it's constantly changing. Of course there are going to be brand new people beginning their careers (like I'm sure you did at one point in your life as well) and if you believe you have a return that might be more complex, you should of course speak up and request someone more experienced.

Never_give_up said "    FarmerMike said "Velda has a good point. If you do something wrong on your return, the government will come back at you( like if you get audited and ended up claiming something you can't). Taking your taxes to a company ensures that you are in the clear if something goes wrong. The company will be in the hot seat if there is a mistake. I use a major company out in Virden, and it costs a lot more then what you had to pay, but at the end of the day, it's done, done right, and my butt is covered if something is wrong. " I worked over 8 years at a big accounting firm. If something is done wrong, you are still owe, not the person or firm who did the return. You sign your tax return, you are responsible! Also, I can say I personally use Turbo tax and it's very easy. I have prepared hundreds of returns over my 8 years and when I left I found turbo tax to be the easiest to switch to. I have used studio tax as well but I find it a pain. Also, the firm I worked for certainly didn't up the price after April 1st. I think it's disgusting that anyone would do that. Also, just to clear something up, cra does not dictate what to charge, they dictate the most you can charge on cash back. Velda, you make me sad for anyone who goes to A personal tax place like the one you speak of. Not a lot goes on behind the scenes for someone with a few forms. It's certainly not worth anywhere near what he paid.     Edited by Never_give_up, 2016-04-17 19:37:35"

My bad, what I meant was you would be in no legal trouble if the accountant firm made the error. Absolutely, if you end up owing money, or vice versa, you need to pay either way.  
 
If you do your own, and cause the error, you might end up in more hot water.(And still owe money)

should of brought it to me Fred.  
 
you would of gotten a great return.  
 
could not guarantee one, or both of us, may not end up in jail though.  
 
unfortunate you had to learn the hard way.

Sounds like you got hosed on a fairly basic tax return.  
 
You have brought a good point buyer beware whether it is a tax preparation or a car repair ask for a price before work is started.  
 
Belzebob got a chuckle out of you statement.  
 
Spouse use to deal with a farm tax company which I hated from day 1 of my involvement with the farm.  
 
They required you to pay a year in advance and would not give you your returns until they had the cheque for next year. I fought with them every year and on more than one occasion the guy that collected the info smelt of booze.  
 
I threatened to quit doing the books and I finally won out and took tax returns to a proper certified accounting office. They cost just over half of the farm firm and pay when we pick taxes up.  
 
 
Edited by oldcowgirl, 2016-04-18 08:46:21

FarmerMike said "Velda has a good point. If you do something wrong on your return, the government will come back at you( like if you get audited and ended up claiming something you can't). Taking your taxes to a company ensures that you are in the clear if something goes wrong. The company will be in the hot seat if there is a mistake. I use a major company out in Virden, and it costs a lot more then what you had to pay, but at the end of the day, it's done, done right, and my butt is covered if something is wrong. "

I used to work at CRA, and the income tax preparer has zero responsibility. You sign your taxes, it's a legal document therefore you're liable. There's always a disclosure statement that they are accurate based on the information provided by the client, but if you provide inaccurate information or omit information you're liable. If they forget to ask you something, it's considered you not providing information and you're liable.  
 
As for places like H&R Block goes, my perpetual confidentiality agreement prevents me from discussing details but suffice to say I wouldn't recommend a tax discounter to anyone.  
 
The reality is that while the Income Tax Act is complex, the government does try to make it so that most people with an 8th grade education can understand the forms and guides and do their taxes themselves. Most people have straightforward returns and as long as their read the guide carefully they can do a decent job. I spent most of career not doing income tax returns directly, (I worked in Child Tax Benefit/GST Benefit mostly) so I occasionally needed help too, and usually the staff is very helpful if I just needed to talk to someone. I needed to call in the 1-800 number like anyone else and access the system that way.  
 
For anyone who has a more complex return, I would suggest spending the money on an accountant if you're feeling intimidated. While it's still not a guarantee, it's someone who has years of education behind them.  
 
For the record, I also use Genutax.

Does that include a cashback fee? If so that seem reasonable but if no cashback then it seems you got hosed. When we moved and had tuition we had taxes done by local company. They filled in the blanks and said here you go. I thought what the heck did I just pay for? Year after same thing for claiming as I had stuff carry over. I bought tax program and have been using it ever since. This year I noticed that I had the auto fill in my Ufile and holly crap.....it filled in T4,RRSP, Univeral benefit that I originally didn't have at the time, etc. All I added was my donations for the year and claiming my Manitoba tax credit for home owners....done. Took me a whole 15 minutes to do, spent more time sipping my beer. Unless I had a farm or something, any personal taxes I will always continue to do myself.

I'm self employed. No t4  
A lot of receipts, bills to go over.  
Told them...no thanks  
Came home used online program for free.  
If you can answer simple yes and no questions. Easy to use.  
Took me about an hour.  
Return came in 2 weeks

We paid $300 for my hubby's and my taxes. We also had a rental schedule to fill out, which costs extra. I'll always use an accountant, as he was able to find ways to help us save money (I would've never been able to do all the work he did regarding our rental.)

perhaps said "was the 180.00 for a cashback return??     If that's the case those rates for cash back are actually set by the Federal Government of Canada, not a Tax Preparer.     Instant Cash Back® fees, which are outlined by Federal Government of Canada laws, dictate that you're charged 15% on the first $300 and then 5% on the rest. "

Just went and paid my(Basic (personal ) income tax filing at accountants . It was 194.25 +pst and gst for a total of $219.50 No Cashback But it did include the administration fee, the (Technology fee ) and the disbursement fee, by the way , Last time they are doing mine also

tanya85 said "So everyone who starts a job begins as an expert in every area of their field? Not to be rude but have you actually looked at the tax act? Taxes can be extremely complex or they can be stupid easy, most fall somewhere in between. It would take decades for someone to become an expert in MOST areas of taxes and I say most because there's literally nobody out there that knows it all because it's constantly changing. Of course there are going to be brand new people beginning their careers (like I'm sure you did at one point in your life as well) and if you believe you have a return that might be more complex, you should of course speak up and request someone more experienced. "

I feel like when we book an appointment they should ask if it is more than a basic return so they can place you with an appropriate person. Of all the workers in there that day only one had enough experience to do our return and he was busy. What annoyed me is that she said it was our fault that we got her. I didn't realize our return would be that complicated, yes it's more than basic t4s and rent receipts but we haven't had issues with it before so how am I supposed to know not everyone there could handle it and not have the ability to ask someone for help (she said we could come back in a couple weeks).  
 

I think the point was missed here...if as you say it was a "basic return" then is the price the same for the next guy? If I have the same T4's and saving slips would my cost be the same or stating all returns are different wheres the threshold here?

If anyone has any suggestions on which accountant to use please post. I'm curious to see who others recommend, as I need one to do ours this year (small private business owner)!  
Thanks

My grandma who has a very basic return was charged 110.00. Was before April 1st, E-filed with only a t4e and co-op equity slip. Last time she will use that tax company, we couldn't understand why it cost so much. I decided not to go there and went to Moneymart with a more complicated return, after April 1st, E-filed, and was only charged 56.00.

I got charged $137 for a basic tax return that took less than 5 minutes to do. In return I got a tiny return of $256 (my return is never big anyways). The only reason why I paid this company to do my taxes is because my spouse goes there and we thought we should file together this year because we purchased a home together last year. The lady who did my taxes had no idea what she was doing and had to constantly ask for help. We complained to this company and told them we would NEVER go back to them again. What a bloody joke. I have done my own taxes every other year but thought I'd give this company a chance because i wanted to pick this "professionals" brain for advise for next years tax season. Judging by how much this woman knew, I could walk in there and get a job and likely end up managing the place.

Burkejan - if you are looking for a Professional Accountant in Brandon, my husband (who is a professional accountant) would recommend 'Anderson Strath'.  
Remember that there are different education levels at different businesses. In order to be a 'professional accountant', a person must have a designation: now called CPA, formerly CA, CMA, or CGA. They have post-graduate level education, and will charge accordingly, even for a basic return. Not everyone's situation is complex enough to necessarily require a professional accountant, which is why there are so many tax preparation companies out there. Places like that will not be consistent as to education levels - you may want to research education, costs, etc, prior to having taxes done anywhere.