tax time

Normally i use h&r block but they charge too much and i want maximum refund. Should i do it myself or use a accountant?

Do it yourself, there are more than enough tools our there to do it and get the most back.

When claiming do you need receipts for everything, I was told I can claim for tools, laundry and allsorts of misc things.

I personally use TurboTax and it walks you through everything you can claim.
The only thing I claim is my home office, cause the rest of the claims I make usually get rejected.
This website has everything. http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/taxcredits/

This page will give you a list of all the certified tax software available for doing it yourself. I personally use StudioTax:

http://www.netfile.gc.ca/sftwr-eng.html

I might give that a try, have you tried any other tax software.
I wonder if you lose much at all if you use one of those free options, I will probably do both and can report back after.

If you go early enough, H&R prices are lower... If you go right to the end, you'll get reamed! Yes doing it yourself if cheaper but like in my wife's case where she was audited. It was one phone call to H&R and I never had to worry about it again!
I've been using a lady at the H&R on Matheson and Mavis for over 15 years... Never been dissapointed

Kent this is the reason you will need your receipts

Yes but you have to deal with Government and it can be a pain! That's all I meant. I'd rather pay a little more for peace of mind.
Cheers

Yeah it's annoying but if your organized I really don't think it's too bad. I have been audited twice.

I have an Accountant that I pay to do the work. My wife and myself it's $140.

Now, in my case, I have four kids, one with a disability, so I'm always feeling a little better with a live person.

In addition, I've gone to him for non tax time stuff, which he offers free of charge as a long standing client.

He saved me tonnes of cash when I had my own business and the Feds came after me for more $$$.

I guess it really depends on your situation.

When I was on my own, I just did it myself.
Of course, back then, there weren't any tax software for my C-64.

Steve nailed it - it is purely situational.

For example, I have only two sources of income: the university and the parts shop. Deductions are tuition, rent/utilities, textbooks...and one more I can't remember at the moment. It takes me a half hour to do my tax return with online software; the money shows up in my bank account within a week. It would be an absurd waste of money for me to pay someone to do my return.

Once you add things like kids, self-employment, disabilities, etc. there are so many oddball deductions that you are eligible for that it is almost always worth it to get a pro to do it for you. That $140 that Steve pays his accountant likely comes back to him in additional deductions. As mentioned, in the case of an audit, having your return completed by a professional always makes things easier (though as Bryan mentioned, if you're good with your receipts you'll be fine in an audit).

Think about how involved your return is, how much free time you have, and how much your free time is worth to you. Then decide if you're better off doing it alone or handing it to a professional.

My uncle is a partner at an accounting firm so normally my taxes are done free of charge, but this year is a bit different since I now live in the States and have to deal with 2 tax returns. That being said, I agree with the above couple of posts.

I know you have a younger daughter (I believe) and probably have a number of work-related writeoffs as well as training and what-not so it may be in your interest to spend a bit and get some professional assistance.

In my case, I'll have to find somewhere knowledgeable in US & Canadian taxes to help me out this year.

Yeah I have my wife and 2 kids to claim as dependants, the majority of my time was spent working in Alberta so I want to make sure that everything is done right. I used to do my own taxes in England but I knew my way around the system there.

Kind of a commercial plug....but....my brother is a chartered accountant and last year started up his own firm.

Takes care of everything from personal tax, to tax planning to payrolls....you name it.

PM me if anyone would want to get in contact with him