Tax Services Cost in Montreal (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Montreal, tax service costs vary widely by complexity. For straightforward personal tax returns, many providers in Quebec publicly advertise package pricing starting around C$50-C$90 for a basic return, while incorporated business, self-employed, or bookkeeping-supported tax work is commonly priced from a few hundred dollars upward. Where exact Montreal-specific public pricing is limited, the ranges below are clearly marked as estimates based on typical Canadian market practice.
Overview
Tax service pricing in Montreal depends mainly on whether you need a simple personal return, a self-employed filing, corporate tax preparation, or broader bookkeeping and advisory support. Quebec adds complexity because many filers need both federal and provincial returns, and business clients may also need GST/HST and QST handling, payroll filings, and year-end financial statements. As a result, low-cost package prices are most common for salaried individuals with one T4 and standard credits, while hourly billing or custom quotes are more typical for incorporated businesses and more complex tax situations. For consumers, the most reliable published prices tend to come from large national tax preparation chains that operate in Quebec. Those prices usually reflect a base fee, with add-ons for investment income, rental income, self-employment schedules, prior-year filings, or bookkeeping clean-up. For business clients in Montreal, small accounting firms often prefer custom quotes because fees depend on transaction volume, corporate structure, and record quality. If you are comparing providers, ask whether the quote includes both federal and Quebec returns, electronic filing, review of tax slips, GST/HST or QST forms, year-end adjustments, and post-filing support. In Quebec, it is also sensible to confirm whether the preparer is a CPA or supervised by one for more complex work.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Simple personal tax return(per return) Large national providers in Canada publicly market low-cost filing for simple returns; Montreal prices can vary by office, timing, and whether Quebec provincial filing elements or extras apply. Estimated range | ~C$50 – C$90 | Estimated range |
| Self-employed personal tax return(per return) Estimated range based on typical Canadian pricing for sole proprietors and freelancers, reflecting extra schedules, expense review, and often both federal and Quebec filing requirements. Estimated range | ~C$120 – C$300 | Estimated range |
| Corporate tax return for a small incorporated business(per return) Estimated range based on common small-firm market rates in Canada for T2 preparation, with the lower end for clean books and minimal activity and the higher end for more transactions or adjustments. Estimated range | ~C$750 – C$2,500 | Estimated range |
| Bookkeeper or tax preparer hourly rate(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Canadian hourly rates for bookkeeping and non-partner tax preparation support in urban markets such as Montreal. Estimated range | ~C$60 – C$150 | Estimated range |
| CPA or senior accountant tax/advisory hourly rate(per hour) Estimated range based on common Canadian professional service pricing for senior accountants or CPAs handling tax planning, reviews, and business tax work. Estimated range | ~C$150 – C$350 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Preparation of federal income tax return
- Preparation of Quebec provincial return where applicable
- Electronic filing when eligible
- Review of slips and common deductions
- For business work, year-end adjustments may or may not be included depending on the quote
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA Quebec)
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A simple return can often be completed in one appointment or within a few days during off-peak periods; business files or backlogged bookkeeping can take several days to several weeks in peak season.
How Fees Work
Personal tax work is often priced as a fixed package with add-ons for extra slips or schedules. Business tax work in Montreal is commonly quoted as a fixed annual fee based on scope or billed hourly, especially where bookkeeping, tax planning, or sales tax compliance is involved.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the work is a basic employee return, self-employed return, or incorporated business filing
- Need for Quebec-specific filings such as provincial return coordination and QST/GST/HST compliance
- Quality and completeness of bookkeeping and supporting records
- Number of slips, rental properties, investments, foreign assets, or prior-year corrections
- Whether pricing is a flat package, per-form add-on model, or hourly professional billing
Local Context
In Montreal, tax work often costs more when both federal and Quebec requirements add complexity, especially for businesses handling GST/HST and QST. Tipping is not relevant for professional tax services. Prices can also differ between national chains, independent preparers, and CPA firms, with downtown firms and bilingual advisory practices often charging more for complex files.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec · official
Supports the relevant professional body for CPA-regulated accounting services in Quebec.
- Canada Revenue Agency · government
Supports federal tax filing context for personal and corporate tax services in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic personal tax return cost in Montreal?+
A straightforward personal return is commonly around C$50-C$90 at mass-market providers, with higher fees if you have investments, rental income, self-employment income, or multiple years to file.
Do Montreal tax preparers usually charge hourly or by package?+
For simple individual tax returns, package pricing is common. For self-employed, corporate, or advisory work, many firms use custom fixed quotes or hourly billing.
Why can business tax services cost much more than personal filing?+
Business work often includes bookkeeping review, year-end adjustments, corporate tax forms, GST/HST and QST considerations, and sometimes payroll or financial statement support, all of which take more professional time.
Is a CPA required for tax preparation in Quebec?+
Not every simple return must be prepared by a CPA, but complex business or advisory work is often handled by CPAs. In Quebec, the recognised professional body is CPA Quebec.
Are Quebec tax filings more expensive than elsewhere in Canada?+
They can be, because Quebec often involves additional provincial compliance and, for businesses, separate indirect tax considerations such as QST alongside GST/HST.
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Check current prices at the official source
Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA Quebec)
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