Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
You searched for Accutax, and we couldn’t confirm a Canadian firm by that name, so we’re treating it as any tax preparer. The rules that protect you are the same. After you file, the CRA usually issues your notice of assessment within about 2 weeks, and you should keep your slips and receipts for at least 6 years. Both facts matter when you pick someone to file for you.
How do you check a tax preparer before you pay?
Start with the CRA’s own directory. It lists preparers who are certified to file returns electronically, and you can search it by postal code. Being on the list tells you one thing: the person can send your return through EFILE. It says nothing about skill or price.
So ask the plain questions. Will they file electronically? Will they give you a copy of the return and the signed authorization? Do they tell you the fee before they start, in writing? A good preparer answers in a minute. If the answers are vague, walk.
We couldn’t find any CRA guidance on what preparers should charge, and we won’t guess. Get two quotes and compare what each one covers, such as slips, credits and a second year of carryforwards.
Who is responsible for the return?
You are. That’s the part people miss. The preparer builds your return from the information you hand over, then you sign Part F of Form T183, the declaration and authorization that lets them transmit it. Your name is on the filing, not theirs.
The CRA asks you to compare the electronic return with the T183 before you sign. Do that. Read the income lines against your slips and the refund line against what you expected. If a number surprises you, ask about it now, not after the assessment arrives.
What should you bring to the appointment?
A tidy folder saves time and reduces mistakes. The CRA suggests you also update your own account details first, such as address, direct deposit and how you want to be notified.
- Every slip you received, such as T4, T5 and T3 slips
- Receipts for anything you plan to claim
- Last year’s notice of assessment
- Your direct deposit details, in your own name
Direct deposit deserves a second look. Put your own account on the return. A refund sent anywhere else is a red flag.
A quick check on the number
You don’t need to redo the return. A rough check catches big errors. Take an Ontario employee earning $60,000 in 2026. The income tax calculator shows $5,338.30 federal and $2,982.20 Ontario tax, so $8,320.50 in total. If $9,000 was withheld during the year, the tax refund calculator gives a refund of about $679.50.
Now suppose your preparer says your refund is $3,000 on the same facts. Ask what claim explains the gap. There may be a good answer, such as a big deduction or a credit the calculator doesn’t model. There may not.
| What to check | Detail from the CRA |
|---|---|
| Who can file electronically | Preparers in the CRA certified directory |
| What you sign | Part F of Form T183 |
| Copy of Form T183 to the CRA | Not sent, keep it with your records |
| Time to your notice of assessment | About 2 weeks |
| How long to keep records | At least 6 years |
Mistakes and limits
The biggest mistake is choosing on price alone. A cheap return that misses a credit costs more than a fair fee. The second is signing before you’ve read the return. The third is handing over a bank account that isn’t yours.
Claims are where returns go wrong. Check your tax credits against what appears on the return. If you run a small business, ask how your expenses are handled, and run your own figures through the self-employed tax calculator before the meeting. That tool’s deductions lower income tax but not CPP, and it leaves out EI, so treat it as a rough guide.
And be careful with anyone who promises a refund before they’ve seen your slips. Nobody knows your refund until the return is done.
Where the numbers come from
The filing steps, the 2 week processing time and the 6 year record rule come from the CRA page on using a professional tax preparer. The example uses our 2026 tax engine for Ontario, built on CRA rate and bracket data. Your own return may differ because credits and deductions vary. We haven’t checked any named firm, price or service, and this site isn’t linked to the CRA or any government.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a tax preparer who can file electronically?
The CRA keeps a directory of certified preparers, searchable by postal code. Being listed means they can file through EFILE.
Am I responsible for my return if a preparer files it?
The return goes out under your name, and you sign Part F of Form T183 to authorize it. Read it before you sign.
How long should I keep my tax records?
The CRA page says at least 6 years. Keep slips, receipts and your copy of the return together.
How long until I get my notice of assessment?
The CRA says it usually arrives within about 2 weeks after filing.
What does a tax preparer charge?
We couldn't find a CRA figure and we won't guess. Get written quotes from two preparers and compare what each covers.
- How Canadian income tax works: brackets and credits
How federal and provincial Canadian income tax stack up, what marginal and average rates mean, and how credits and deductions change your bill
Information only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns or offer tax services, and we have no connection with the CRA, Revenu Québec, any government or any company named on this page. Check the figures that matter with an official source or a qualified professional.