Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
To find a tax preparer near you, start with the CRA’s own tax preparer directory, which lists preparers certified to file returns electronically, then check what each one charges before you hand over a single slip. We assumed you mean H&R Block, a national chain people search for by name. We can’t confirm any office address, hours, fee or offer for it or any other firm.
How do you find a tax preparer near you?
The CRA page on using a professional tax preparer points to its tax preparer directory, searchable by postal code. It says preparers must be certified to file electronically. Chains, small accounting offices and independent preparers all show up in that kind of search, so the choice is yours.
Not sure which office is closest? A postal code search sorts that out in a minute. Then narrow the list by what you need: a simple employment return, rental income or self-employment.
Ask three things on the phone. What does my return cost, in dollars, before you start? Will you file electronically? What do I sign? The CRA page says you sign Part F of Form T183 to authorize electronic filing. If a preparer skips that form, walk away.
Can you skip the fee altogether?
Maybe. Free tax clinics run through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. The CRA says they’re for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation, and Quebec runs its own version. Income limits differ between CRA pages, so we’ve left the dollar figure out. Check the CRA page and its clinic locator with your postal code.
If your return is simple, software and a calculator may be enough too. The tax refund calculator on its sample case shows $14,000 already paid against $12,704.65 of tax, for a refund of $1,295.35. Put your own numbers in first, so you know roughly what you should get back.
What should you check before you sign?
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Preparer listed in the CRA directory | Certified to file electronically |
| Fee stated in writing before work starts | The CRA page says you pay a fee but gives no amounts |
| You sign Form T183, Part F | Authorizes electronic filing |
| Refund goes to your own bank account | Keep control of your direct deposit details |
| You get a copy of the return | Keep it with your slips for at least 6 years |
The CRA also says to make sure your direct deposit information is up to date before filing. Refund into your account, not the preparer’s. That one rule stops a lot of trouble.
Why be careful with pop-up and seasonal offices?
Some seasonal offices open for a few weeks and are gone by summer. If one of them files your return badly, or not at all, you have nobody to call. Ask for proof that your return was actually filed. Your notice of assessment from the CRA is the proof, and you can see it in your CRA account.
A promise of a huge refund is a red flag on its own. A refund is tax you already paid minus the tax you owe. Nobody can conjure one up.
What does an office visit save you?
Time, mostly. A preparer asks the questions you didn’t know to ask, such as which credits you can claim, which the tax credits calculator estimates (federal only). But a fee still comes off your refund. To see whether the trip is worth it, work out your tax yourself with the income tax calculator first, then compare that with what the office estimates.
Self-employed people and anyone with rental income have more to sort out. Take a full year of receipts. For most people, 2025 returns were due April 30, 2026, and self-employed filers had until June 15, 2026, though any balance was still due April 30. The 2026 dates weren’t published when we checked.
Where do these details come from?
The preparer, EFILE and T183 points come from CRA pages on using a professional tax preparer, and the clinic details from the CRA free tax clinics page, read in September 2026. Filing dates come from the CRA’s tax deadline pages. This website has no connection with the CRA, H&R Block or any other firm.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a certified tax preparer?
The CRA tax preparer directory lists preparers certified to file electronically. You can search it by postal code.
What do I sign when a preparer files for me?
Part F, Declaration and authorization, on Form T183. It authorizes electronic filing.
Can I get my return done for free?
Free tax clinics help people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. Check the CRA page for the current limits and a clinic near you.
Where should my refund go?
Into your own bank account. Confirm your direct deposit details with the CRA before filing.
How long should I keep my tax slips and T183?
The CRA says at least 6 years.
- How to choose a tax preparer in Canada
How to decide if you need a tax preparer, what a preparer does, the questions to ask before you hire one and where to find free help in Canada
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.