Iain Mc

Just asking as this is the first year for our Canadian tax returns and we're probably going to get them to help us file.

Have heard mixed reports but at least they're easily accessible and not hugely expensive.

?

sans

Nope....They messed us about, in the end we used Liberty Tax one visit and we was sorted and they only charged us $53

cov-canuck

We did it ourselves with Quicktax. It was really easy, even though it was our first time, and we'd spent 9 months of the year in the UK and only 3 employed in Canada. We had a nice big refund (each) last year. We already submitted our return for this year, and OH got another big refund this year (which has already gone into our bank account). We intended to hire someone our first year, but when we started going through Quicktax (for free) we realised how easy it was.

Colsgirl

I haven't tried them but someone at work told me that they don't do a very good job and charge a lot for the privilege.

We use Quick Tax every year and it is really easy. After the first year it gives you the option to import all your personal information from last year.

You also get a $10 rebate for every tax return you file with them electronically. So for us the software cost $39.98 and we got $20 back for filing electronically.

Piff Poff

We used Liberty Tax the first year. The second year we used H&R Block (I got a discount as I was working at Sears).

This year we went back to Liberty after getting an adjustment from Revenue Canada due to H&R Block getting it wrong (Got a bill and fine for $53). We also found that we should have claimed extra stuff that wasn't on Hubby's T4 but was on his payslip. H&R Block cost us over $2k for not doing a good job!

JonboyE

If your tax affairs are simple (e.g. you only have employment income) do it yourself with the help of Quicktax of Ufile or whatever, and ask any questions you have on here.

Otherwise, and definitely if you are self-employed, go to a professional accountant (CA or CGA).

IMO tax preparation services are the worst of both worlds - expensive and likely to get anything other than a simple return wrong.

montreal mike

Agreed 100%; Couldn't have said it better myself.

Also all here bear in mind that your return is checked by a nameless, faceless, disinterested, unemotional computer which will charge you more if you screw up but also will adjust your numbers to your benefit if you are so entitled.

It is a myth to think the tax man is out to 'get you'. Not so. I myself have had some goofs corrected and some actually were to my benefit.

Iain Mc

Thanks all, we might give Liberty Tax a call! I don't mind paying (a small amount) for some assistance first time around.

edsask

Can't speak for their Canadian operation, but my wife used H&R Block in the US for years. When we got married, she found that the fees, once under $40, had jumped to $350 because she had gone and got married. True enough, her tax situation was more complicated, but over $300!?! Worse still, they got our rebate wrong - we worked out we were due over US$1000 back than the figure they said! We ended up doing ourselves. It's tricky, but possible.

Colsgirl

Did you go back to H&R Block? All their advertising says that if you end up having to pay more to Revenue Canada for something that they screwed up, they will pay the amount you owe and any fine.

Piff Poff

haven't done no. Maybe i will when I am feeling better. I thought they just paid the fine/interest for you?

Thydney

We used them in the US to file our taxes and apparently they have made the same mistake every year for the last 4 years. The IRS have sent us a love letter tied to a brick had they not they wouldn't have noticed their mistake

daft batty

We used them last year and they were fine-- as far as we know. Will use them again this year.

Tangram

And you kept using them year after year for four years ??

zmartin

I only worked last year from 10th December and my husband worked for even less time than that. Will we still need to do a tax return for this year? Also I've got investments in the UK that I don't get any income from, does it all need to be declared as this point?

Zoe M. x