Doing it yourself
Tax software against an accountant
When filing software is genuinely enough, and when it quietly costs more than it saves. Individual T1 from $65, self employed from $350.
Individual T1 from $65+. Self employed from $350+. CRA representation from $350/hr. See starting fees. Amounts are starting prices plus 5% GST.
Calgary office · eligible remote work across Canada
Software files a return. It does not make a decision
For a straightforward personal return built from a few slips, certified software does the job and HBT will say so. Paying a professional to retype a T4 adds nothing. The honest answer for many employed individuals is to file it themselves.
The calculation changes when there is business income, rental property, a corporation, foreign assets or anything from a previous year still unresolved. Software asks what you did. It does not tell you what you should have done, it does not know what you failed to claim, and it cannot answer a CRA letter on your behalf. That is where a fee starts paying for itself rather than costing.
Before you call
What happens on the first call
The first conversation is free and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A team member in Calgary answers, asks what is urgent, and explains the useful next step. There is no obligation to start an engagement.
- Step 1
Tell us the pressure point
A CRA letter, a filing deadline, messy books, payroll, or a decision you need to understand.
- Step 2
We ask a few practical questions
Entity type, province, records, software, and the date that matters. You do not need a perfect file first.
- Step 3
You leave with a next step
We explain the work, the information required, timing, and price before anything begins.
Ready now? Call +1 (587) 894-7451 or .
Fees
How we price the work
The first conversation is free. Starting fees are published on the fees page. Those amounts are starting prices and subject to 5% GST. Final fees depend on complexity, volume, record quality and scope. Fixed fees are provided where the engagement scope can be determined in advance. You will know the price before paid work starts.
Client feedback
What Calgary clients say
Husain Haroun, CPA, FCCA
Meet the founder who reviews the work“Working with HBT Accounting and the team was extremely efficient, thorough and professional.”
“HBT Accounting has a great team, as they have done all my annual taxes in professional way.”
“The team was helpful, easy to communicate with, and made everything stress free.”
Cannot call right now?
Request a call back in three quick steps
Tell us what you need help with and when suits you. We prepare the message and open your own email app so you can send it. Nothing is submitted to our servers.
Or email us directly: hbt@hbtaccounting.com
Service scope
Where the line usually falls
The exact responsibilities, timing, and records depend on the agreed engagement. These are the areas we can discuss when shaping a scope that fits your business.
Slips only, no business
Software is usually fine. An individual T1 here starts at $65 if you would rather not.
Business or rental income
Schedules, expense treatment and capital decisions start to matter. Self employed returns start at $350.
Anything the CRA has asked about
Software cannot correspond with the CRA. Representation is charged at $350 per hour.
Side by side
Filing software and a professional compared
| Compared on | Tax software | An accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Simple return from slips | Tax softwareGenerally sufficient | An accountantAvailable from $65 if preferred |
| Business or rental income | Tax softwarePossible but error prone | An accountantSchedules and treatment handled, from $350 |
| Advice on what you should do | Tax softwareNone | An accountantYes, before decisions are final |
| Finds what you did not claim | Tax softwareOnly what you enter | An accountantReviews for what is missing |
| Can deal with the CRA for you | Tax softwareNo | An accountantYes, representation from $350 per hour |
| Cost | Tax softwareLow or free | An accountantPublished starting prices |
How the work begins
A clear process before the accounting starts
- Step 1
Tell us what is in the year
We will say plainly if software would serve you better.
- Step 2
Priced from the published schedule
Confirmed before any paid work begins.
- Step 3
Filed and explained
With anything worth changing next year flagged.
Common question
Is tax software good enough, or do I need an accountant?
For a simple personal return built from employment slips, certified software is generally sufficient. An accountant becomes worth the fee where there is self employment or business income, rental property, a corporation, foreign assets, a major life change, or unresolved prior years. Software records decisions already made. It does not advise on them, and it cannot represent you if the CRA asks questions.
Helpful guides
Read the details before your next conversation
Start with one clear question
Tell us what you need help understanding
Call or text HBT Accounting in Calgary, Alberta at +1 (587) 894-7451. We will ask a few practical questions and explain the most useful next step.
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm MT · Sat 9am–4pm MT. We reply to call requests and emails during business hours, usually the same day. If we are closed, send a call request and we will reply when the office opens.