Cost of an accountant for a self-employed individual in 2026: the real figures

In short, for a self-employed worker in Quebec, preparing T1 (federal) and TP1 (Quebec) tax returns generally costs between $300 and $900 per year. Adding VAT returns or basic bookkeeping, the self-employed segment spends between $500 and $1,500 per year, well below the overall median of approximately $2,000 observed across all profiles. These amounts are based on the actual fees for 1,248 mandates completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received; complete details are published in the Bankeo Barometer . All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

Are you a graphic designer, consultant, massage therapist, truck driver, or freelance developer, and does the same question arise every spring: how much should an accountant cost me? The answers found online vary wildly, often without specifying the source of the figures. At Bankeo, we've chosen to publish what freelancers actually pay. Since 2023, the platform has received over 15,000 matching requests, and 1,248 mandates signed between 2024 and 2026 contribute to the Bankeo Barometer . This article focuses on the self-employed segment of this study, details what factors influence the cost, and shows you how to estimate your tax liability yourself before meeting with a professional.

The self-employed segment of the Bankeo Barometer

The Barometer is not a survey: when a Bankeo match results in a signed agreement, the fees actually agreed upon between the entrepreneur and their accountant are recorded. Across all agreements, the median fee is approximately $2,000 per year, with most agreements ranging from $500 to $6,000. The self-employed segment, however, is significantly lower: from €500 to €1,500 per year for comprehensive support, and the majority of self-employed individuals pay less than €1,000 per year. Here are the observed ranges, profile by profile.

Source of figures: based on the actual fees of 1,248 mandates completed via Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received. Price ranges are rounded for ease of reading; precise medians, service by service and sector by sector, are published and updated in the Bankeo Barometer . For a comprehensive market overview, including incorporated SMEs, consult our full study on the cost of an accountant in Quebec in 2026 and our guide on the cost of accounting services in Quebec .

What makes a self-employed person's bill vary?

Within these ranges, five variables explain almost all the discrepancies observed in the mandates:

• Registration for GST and QST. As soon as your taxable income exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, registration becomes mandatory. Tax returns add recurring work, and therefore a few hundred dollars to the bill.
• The state of your records. Income and expenses filed as they come in are processed quickly; a box of loose invoices submitted in April will cost you overtime. The difference can amount to several hundred dollars.
• Expenses to be allocated. Home office, vehicle used partly for work, mobile phone, tools, training: the more mixed expenses there are to be divided between personal and professional use, the more rigorous the preparation needs to be.
• The years of delay. Catching up on unfiled tax returns is billed as a separate project, in addition to the current mandate. The longer you wait, the higher the bill climbs, not to mention the interest and penalties from the CRA and Revenu Québec.
• The need for advice. Contributing to an RRSP or TFSA, planning for deposits, assessing whether incorporation becomes advantageous: these planning questions justify a more comprehensive package, and this is often where the accountant brings in more than he costs.

Your tax obligations, and how they affect your bill

The price of an accountant primarily reflects the number of obligations to be met. Here is a breakdown of the obligations of a self-employed French worker, with the thresholds and deadlines that trigger accounting work.

Two pitfalls keep recurring. The first: the June 15th deadline is a production deadline, not a payment deadline; if you owe taxes, interest accrues from April 30th. The second: in their first profitable year, many self-employed individuals discover all at once the income tax they owe, the two CNSA contributions, and the advance payments required for the following year. This is exactly the kind of surprise that an accountant, or at least a good estimate, can help you anticipate.

Estimate your tax first: the calculator reflex

Before even requesting a quote, take five minutes to assess your situation. The three-step method:

• 1. Calculate your net business profit. Add up your revenue for the year and subtract your eligible expenses (home office, vehicle, equipment, telecommunications, training). It is this net amount that is taxed, not your revenue.
• 2. Enter it into the Bankeo personal tax calculator . You will get an estimate of your combined federal (CRA) and Quebec (Revenu Québec) tax, and therefore the amount to set aside on each customer deposit.
• 3. Compare the result to the cost of an accountant. If the estimate exceeds $1,800 in tax payable, you will need to make instalment payments; if your mixed expenses are significant or if you are hesitating between an RRSP and a TFSA, a $300 to $900 engagement often pays for itself with the first optimized tax return.

The calculator provides an estimate, not professional advice: it doesn't replace a detailed breakdown of your expenses or planning. But it puts you in a strong position: you arrive at the accountant's office knowing your net income, your approximate tax liability, and your obligations, and the estimate is discussed based on facts. It's the same logic as the Barometer: real figures rather than impressions.

Tax or accounting software: the right calculation

Consumer tax software costs between $0 and $150 and is sufficient when the situation is simple: a single source of business income, few expenses, and no VAT to manage. An accountant becomes the best option as soon as things get more complex: tax registration, mixed expenses to justify in case of an audit, advance payments to plan, and growing revenue that raises the question of incorporation. In the engagements observed through Bankeo, the gap between software and a professional quickly closes: for a few hundred euros in deductible expenses, you gain better-documented deductions, deadlines met, and answers throughout the year. Our guide to choosing the right accountant for your business lists the questions to ask before signing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an accountant cost for a self-employed worker in Quebec in 2026?

Preparing T1 and TP1 tax returns typically costs between $300 and $900 per year, while the full self-employment package ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on GST and QST, bookkeeping, and record maintenance. These figures are based on the actual fees for 1,248 mandates completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received; details are published in the Bankeo Barometer .

Are my accountant's fees tax-deductible?

Yes. Accounting fees related to your self-employed business are an eligible business expense, deductible from your business income federally (form T2125) and in Quebec (Schedule L and TP-80). The actual cost after tax is therefore less than the amount billed. Keep the invoice with your other supporting documents.

Do I need to register for VAT as a self-employed individual?

Registration becomes mandatory once your taxable income exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. In Quebec, the tax authorities administer both taxes: the 5% VAT and the 9.975% VAT. Below this threshold, you are considered a small business and registration is optional; however, it may be worthwhile if you wish to reclaim taxes paid on your business purchases.

When do I need to file my T1 and TP1 declarations?

As a self-employed individual, you have until June 15 to file your T1 (CRA) and TP1 (Revenu Québec) returns. Be aware of the catch: any tax balance owing remains payable on April 30, and interest accrues from that date. If your tax payable exceeds $1,800, quarterly instalments may also be required for the following year.

Is tax software sufficient for a self-employed individual?

Yes, when the situation is simple: one source of income, few expenses, no taxes to manage. An accountant becomes worthwhile as soon as VAT, mixed expenses like a home office or vehicle, advance payments to plan, or considerations regarding incorporation are added. A good practice: first estimate your tax liability with a personal tax calculator , then compare.

Is Bankeo really free for self-employed individuals?

Yes, absolutely. You don't pay anything to be matched, neither when you apply nor afterwards. Bankeo is compensated by the accountants in its network through fixed fees per completed transaction, which are known in advance. Your fees remain confidential between you and your accountant, and the Barometer helps you verify that they are fair.

Official sources

1. Revenu Québec, Self-employed workers (obligations, TP1, installments);
2. Revenue Agency of the | Canada Guide T4002: Income from Self-Employment
3. Revenu Québec, Business section (VAT, VAT, withholdings)
4. Quebec CPA Order
5. Educaloi (legal information for the self-employed)