Our Fees: How We Price Accounting and Tax Work

Every client is different. A simple employment return is very different from a family with a rental property, a self-employed driver or a corporation with payroll, so we don’t use a one-size price list. Instead we look at your situation and tell you the fee before we start any work. If something new comes up partway through, we talk to you before doing extra work. No surprises on the invoice.

This page explains what affects the cost of each service, so you know what to expect when you call.

What affects the fee

Personal tax returns

• How many income slips you have (T4, T4A, T5, T3 and others).
• Self-employment, gig or delivery income (Uber and delivery drivers).
• Rental properties, investments, capital gains or the sale of a property.
• Foreign income or assets, or your first return as a newcomer to Canada.
• Prior-year or late returns, and whether we file for your spouse and family together.

Bookkeeping

• The number of transactions each month, and how many bank and credit card accounts you have.
• Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping, and whether your records need to be caught up first.
• The software you use, and how your receipts and invoices are kept.

Payroll and WCB

• The number of employees and how often they are paid.
• Year-end T4s, ROEs and WCB Alberta reporting.

Corporate tax (T2) and year-end

• The size and activity of the business, and whether we also do the bookkeeping.
• Year-end financial statements, the number of shareholders, and salary and dividend planning.
• GST/HST, payroll and other filings that go with the year-end.

GST/HST and incorporation

• GST/HST: how often you file and whether the bookkeeping is already done.
• Incorporation: federal or Alberta, and the share structure you need. Government registration costs are shown separately from our fee.

CRA letters, reviews and objections

• The type of letter, how many tax years it covers, and how much supporting paperwork has to be gathered.

How to keep your fee down

• Send everything at once: all slips, receipts and statements in one upload.
• Keep business records in one place: a separate bank account and simple bookkeeping software save hours.
• Don’t wait for April: catch-up work and rushed deadlines cost more than steady monthly or quarterly work.
• Tell us about changes early: a new rental, a business or a move is easier to plan for than to fix later.

How to get a quote

1. Call or book a time that suits you.
2. Tell us about your situation: your income, your business and what you need done.
3. Get your fee before any work starts.
4. Send your documents in person or online, and we get to work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tax return cost in Calgary?

It depends on what is on the return. A return with only employment income takes much less work than one with self-employment, rental or investment income, or several years to catch up. Tell us about your situation and we'll give you the fee before we start.

Will I know the price before you start?

Yes. We quote the fee first. If we find something new partway through, such as an extra slip or a missed year, we talk to you before doing any extra work.

Why don't you list fixed prices?

Because two returns that look the same can take very different amounts of work. A quote based on your actual situation is fairer than a price list that has to cover the hardest case.

Can I get a regular fee for ongoing bookkeeping or payroll?

Yes. For ongoing work we agree the scope and fee up front, and we review it with you if your business grows or changes.

Are accounting fees tax deductible?

Accounting, bookkeeping and payroll fees for a business are generally deductible business expenses. For individuals, fees for preparing a personal return are usually not deductible unless they relate to business or rental income. We'll tell you what applies to you.

Tax season: see our Calgary tax deadlines for 2026–2027.

Helpful guides: tax slips explained · your Notice of Assessment · home office expenses · RRSP vs FHSA · year-end tax tips · how to choose an accountant in Calgary

Garg Accounting · 4310 104 Avenue NE, Unit 3230, Calgary, AB T3J 1W5 · +1 368-995-6000 · info@gargaccounting.ca · Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Areas we serve: NW Calgary · NE Calgary · SW Calgary & Downtown · SE Calgary · Airdrie · Chestermere · Balzac & Rocky View · Cochrane · Okotoks & High River · Strathmore · Drumheller · Red Deer · Lethbridge · Medicine Hat · Edmonton · Fort McMurray · Grande Prairie · Online across Canada
Related: Personal tax filing · GST/HST filing · Bookkeeping · Incorporation · Contact
Popular services: Accounting services in Calgary · Personal tax returns · Payroll services · Bookkeeping · Corporate tax (T2)