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To find a tax preparer near you, use the CRA’s tax preparer directory and search by postal code. It lists preparers certified to file returns through EFILE, and it’s a better starting point than a search ad or a sign on a strip mall window.
How do you look up a tax preparer near you?
Go to the CRA page on using a professional tax preparer and follow the link to the directory. Type in your postal code and you’ll get certified preparers in your area. Certification means they can send your return electronically. It doesn’t tell you how good they are, how much they charge, or if they know your type of return.
We couldn’t find any official ranking or fee figures for local preparers, so we won’t quote any. Anyone who tells you the cheapest or the best in your neighbourhood is guessing.
What should you ask before you choose?
Call two or three and ask the same questions each time.
What will it cost for my situation? Get the number for your case, not a starting price. Do you handle self-employment, rental income or shares? A preparer who mostly does T4 returns may not want your business income. Will I see the return before it’s filed? The answer has to be yes, because you must approve it. Who do I call if the CRA writes to me in June? That one tells you if the office is around after the rush.
Ask about the form too. An EFILE preparer gives you a T183 to sign, and you should read it against the return first.
What’s the catch with cash refund advances?
Some offices offer money on the spot against your refund. Those are called discounters, and the CRA has clear rules for them. They must pay you at least 85 cents on each dollar of the first $300 of your refund and at least 95 cents on each dollar after that.
Here’s a worked case. On a $1,200 refund, the most a discounter can keep is $45 on the first $300 plus $45 on the other $900, or $90 in total. You’d walk out with at least $1,110. That might be worth it if you need cash this week. If you can wait, direct deposit from a normal filing usually gets you the whole refund.
The discounter must also hand you Form RC71 to read before you sign, and later the notice of the actual refund. Use the tax refund calculator before you go, so you know roughly what the refund should be.
Do you need someone local at all?
Not always. A remote preparer can file the same return electronically, and the CRA directory is only one way in. What matters is if you can send documents safely and get a straight answer when you call.
If your return is simple, try the income tax calculator first. It shows your total tax and your take-home. If the preparer’s number is far from it, ask why. There may be a good reason, such as a credit you can claim. The tax credits calculator covers the federal ones. Or the gap may be a mistake.
Warning signs worth walking away from
- A preparer who won’t let you see the return before filing
- A refund promised before they’ve seen your slips
- No written fee, or a fee that depends on the size of your refund
- A request to sign a blank form
These are our own common sense checks, not CRA rules.
Where do the numbers come from?
The directory, EFILE and T183 details come from the CRA page on using a professional tax preparer. The discounter rules and the RC71 form come from the CRA page for individuals on discounters, which cites the Tax Rebate Discounting Act. Read it again before you sign anything. This website has no connection with the CRA or any other government body.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a certified tax preparer near me?
Use the CRA's tax preparer directory and search by postal code. It lists preparers certified to file returns through EFILE.
Does EFILE certification mean a preparer is good?
No. It means they can send returns electronically to the CRA. You still need to ask about experience, fees and your type of return.
What is a tax discounter?
A discounter gives you one up-front payment for your expected refund before filing. The CRA sets minimum payouts of 85 cents per dollar on the first $300 and 95 cents per dollar after that.
Can a preparer file my return without me seeing it?
No. You have to approve the return, and an EFILE preparer gives you Form T183 to sign. Read it against the return first.
Do I need a preparer who is close to home?
Not necessarily. Electronic filing works the same from anywhere, so pick on fees, experience and how easy the office is to reach.
- 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.