Personal income tax
Using a professional tax preparer
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You can take your tax documents to a professional tax preparer (such as an accountant) who will prepare your tax return and electronically send it to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a fee.
A tax preparer can be any of the following:
- A firm
- An organization
- A discounter
- Any other certified individual
On this page
Find a tax preparer
Most people can have their tax return filed electronically. Your tax preparer will confirm based on your situation. If you are unsure about any restrictions that may apply to your situation, you can also review the EFILE exclusions.
The tax preparers provided in the directory are certified to file your tax return for you using the CRA EFILE service:
If you choose a discounter to prepare your tax return, they will calculate your expected tax refund and give you one up-front payment before filing your return.
For details, refer to Discounter information.
Get ready to file
Make sure your personal information with the CRA is up to date and prepare your tax information for your tax preparer.
Check your CRA information
Change or confirm your:
- Direct deposit information
- Mailing address
- Notification preferences (online mail or letter mail)
Find out your options to update your personal information with the CRA. Allow time for the CRA to process any updates before filing your tax return.
Gather your tax information
You need to gather all information about your income and expenses, such as:
- Your tax slips
- Your receipts related to claiming credits and deductions
- Any other documents to support information in your return
Steps to file with a tax preparer
Provide your information
You must provide your tax preparer with the information you gathered about your income and expenses related to claiming credits and deductions.
Give authorization to access your CRA information (optional)
You may choose to give authorization for your tax preparer to:
- View your online tax information
- Make certain changes to your information
For details, refer to How to give authorization.
Review your documents
Your tax preparer will prepare your return using the information you provided to them.
Review:
- Your prepared electronic tax return
- The information your tax preparer completed on Form T183, Information Return for Electronic Filing of an Individual's Income Tax and Benefit Return
The information completed on Form T183 must be the same as the information in your electronic return.
Give authorization to file
Sign "Part F - Declaration and authorization" on Form T183 to authorize your tax preparer to electronically send your tax return to the CRA.
After you file
There are 3 possible outcomes from your tax return:
- Get a refund
- Have a balance owing
- Have no refund or balance owing
After your tax preparer electronically files your tax return, the CRA will send you a notice of assessment (NOA) with the outcome of your tax return. Your NOA and any refund are usually processed within 2 weeks.
Keep all your tax slips, receipts, and the completed Form T183 for at least 6 years.