Individual Tax Return Preparation

 

We make the tax return planning and preparation process painless. Our clients rely on us to determine the minimum legally available income tax liability, through a creative and coordinated approach to the preparation of returns.  
 
In many cases, there are a number of alternative filing choices available, a choice that is complicated by the plethora of income tax laws in the United States, Canada, and abroad. In order to provide our clients with the best available alternative, many returns are prepared many times, using a set of alternative filing strategies. Our commitment to you is that we will research and recommend the optimal filing strategy in your specific situation.  
 
We prepare returns for all 50 states and 10 provinces from our offices in Toronto and Chicago. All returns are prepared, and returned to our clients for final approval, signature and mailing or electronic filing as appropriate.   You will receive your returns by Federal Express fully assembled with complete instructions and filing envelopes attached, usually within a few days of submitting information to us. We remain in constant touch through fax, email and our toll free telephone numbers.

Fees


Many potential clients ask us what the return preparation process will cost. Our fees are based on time and complexity of the situation, and therefore will vary from case to case. In general, our average fees for a consultant working in the U.S. on a TN visa are in the following range: 

 

Canadian Individual Returns:

 

Average fees: $CDN 450 to 750 per year filed

  • Federal T1 return
  • Filing for one province or territory
  • Return may include investment income and capital transactions, on a full or part year residence basis

 

Returns with additional complexity, business statements or higher volume investment activity are billed at our standard hourly rates.

  • Principal $C 385, Associate $C 125-175

 

 

United States Individual Returns:

 

Average fees: $US 450 – 750 per year filed

  • Federal 1040 or 1040 NR return

  • One state return

  • Form TDF90.22.1

  • RRSP disclosure form 8891

  • Dual status vs. elected resident optimization

  • Return may include investment income and capital transactions, on a full year or part year residence basis.

Circumstances which may give rise to additional U.S. filing requirements (not necessarily complete):

 

Preparation of:

  • Form 5471 Controlled Foreign Corporations.                  $US 450 - 850 per corporation
  • Forms 3520/3520A for TFSA and RESP accounts          $US 275 - 375 per account
  • Form 8621 for PFIC’S (Canadian mutual fund holdings)     $US   95 - 175 per account.
  • Form 8938 (Specified Foreign Asset Reporting)             $US 225 - 450
  • Application for ITIN for children/spouse                             $US 295 per application
  • Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) for RESP or TFSA (foreign grantor trusts)                $US 295 per application

 

Returns with additional complexity or services not specified are billed at our standard hourly rates.                               

  • Principal $US 385, Associate $US 125-175


Satisfaction Guaranteed:
In addition to the preparation and planning of your income tax returns, our service extends to complimentary follow-up with the Internal Revenue Service or Revenue Canada in the event of a query of any return which we have prepared. We are licensed practitioners authorized to represent you in both Canada and the United States, including all states and provinces.

Please contact us for a specific quotation on all services involving the preparation of personal tax returns in the U.S. and Canada.