Cost of a company tax return prepared by a French accountant in 2026

In short. In Quebec in 2026, preparing a company's tax return (T2 federally and CO-17 provincially) by an accountant typically costs between $1,400 and $5,000. For a small company with up-to-date accounting, the majority of engagements are settled between $1,500 and $2,500. An inactive company generally pays between $500 and $900 for void returns. These ranges are based on the actual fees for 1,248 engagements completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

The corporate tax return is the most requested accounting service by incorporated entrepreneurs in Quebec, and it's also the one where price variations are most surprising: for the same file, quotes can vary from one to three times as much. The reason is simple: the price doesn't depend on the form itself, but on the complexity of your file. This guide breaks down the "corporate tax return" segment of the Bankeo Barometer : the actual price ranges, what the price includes, and, most importantly, the six factors that cause the bill to vary from one file to another, as observed in mandates completed through Bankeo.

How much does a T2 and CO-17 return cost in 2026?

In Quebec, a public limited company produces two separate declarations each year: the T2 to the tax authorities; Canada (CRA) and the CO-17 form with Revenu Québec. Most accountants bill for both together, in a single engagement. Here are the observed price ranges according to company profile, based on the actual fees of 1,248 engagements completed via Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received.

To put this expense into perspective: according to the Bankeo Barometer , a company's total annual accounting expenses (bookkeeping, tax returns, consulting) average around $2,000 per year, with most cases ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on the sector and size. For an incorporated company, tax returns often represent the largest portion of these expenses.

What the price includes (and what it doesn't include)

A corporate tax return mandate normally covers the following:

• The federal T2. The corporate income tax return submitted to the IRS, with the GIFI schedules (the General Financial Information Index, i.e., your coded balance sheet and income statement) and the calculation of the depreciation deduction.
• The provincial CO-17. The Quebec declaration transmitted to the tax authorities, coordinated with the T2 to avoid any discrepancies between the two levels.
• The usual appendices. Deduction granted to small businesses, continuity of losses, intercompany dividends, depending on your situation.
• Shareholder slips. If the company pays dividends, T5 slips and RL-3 slips are sometimes included, sometimes charged at a slight extra cost.

What is not usually included: bookkeeping, proper financial statements (compilation or review engagement), VAT (5%) and VAT (9.975%) returns, withholding tax (DAS), and the shareholder's personal T1 and TP1 tax returns. Each of these items is added to the bill, and this is precisely where the discrepancies between quotes become apparent.

The 6 factors that affect the price, observed in Bankeo files

For company registration mandates processed through Bankeo, price differences between two companies of comparable size are almost always explained by the same six factors. Here they are, along with their typical impact on the invoice and how to minimize them.

The first factor deserves closer attention. In the cases we see at Bankeo, poor bookkeeping is the most frequent cause of skyrocketing bills. An accountant can't produce a reliable T2 slip from a box of invoices; they must first reconstruct the year's records, and this time is billed hourly. If this is your situation, our guide on the cost of monthly bookkeeping shows that a monthly package is often cheaper than a rushed annual correction.

Second stop: financial statements. Many entrepreneurs assume that the tax return automatically includes "official" financial statements. In practice, the T2 only requires the GIFI schedules; a compilation or review engagement is a separate engagement, regulated by the Quebec CPA Order, and it's your bank that can require it, not the tax authorities. Before accepting the "financial statements" line item on a quote, ask if your financial institution actually needs them.

One-off contract or annual fee: which to choose?

If your business has few transactions and you keep your books properly throughout the year, a one-time tax return engagement is sufficient: you pay once, between $1,400 and $2,500 for most straightforward cases. As soon as your business becomes more substantial (payroll, quarterly VAT returns, volume of invoices), the annual package that includes bookkeeping, tax returns, and advice often becomes more advantageous: the overall price is generally 10% to 15% lower than the combined cost of the separate engagements, and your records remain clean and organized all year long.

The question remains: who does what? An accountant handles day-to-day tasks at a lower cost, while T2 and CO-17 returns and tax strategy fall under the purview of an experienced accountant. Our comparison of CPAs and accountants—costs based on your needs— details the threshold at which combining the two becomes cost-effective.

Regarding deadlines: T2 and CO-17 are due within six months of the end of the company's fiscal year, but the tax balance is payable within two months (three months for many small businesses eligible for the small business deduction). Another point your accountant systematically checks: in France, the reduced provincial tax rate for SMEs is conditional, among other things, on the criterion of 5,500 paid hours. An early mandate avoids interest on a late payment and allows you to confirm these conditions before closing the books.

How to pay the price?

• Compare two or three detailed quotes. Request a line-by-line breakdown: T2 and CO-17 forms, financial statements, slips, bookkeeping. Two identical quotes can cover very different scopes.
• Present a clean file. Up-to-date books, reconciled bank statements, incorporation documents: every hour you save the accountant is directly reflected in the invoice.
• Ask the right questions before signing. Our checklist of questions to ask an accountant helps you compare what's actually included in each offer.
• Check the accountant. Experience with companies of your size and sector, electronic filing of returns, references from incorporated clients.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a T2 and CO-17 declaration cost in France in 2026?

A combined T2 (federal) and CO-17 (state) money order typically costs between $1,400 and $5,000, depending on the complexity of the case. A small, compliant business generally pays between $1,500 and $2,500. These ranges are based on the actual fees for 1,248 money orders completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received.

Does a company with no activity have to file taxes?

Yes. As long as the company exists, it must file a T2 slip with the CRA and a CO-17 slip with Revenu Québec every year, even if it has no revenue or taxes payable. An accountant prepares these zero-sum returns for approximately $500 to $900, which is still much less expensive than the late payment penalties that would otherwise accumulate.

What is the deadline for producing the T2 and CO-17 forms?

Both returns must be filed within six months of the end of the company's fiscal year. Note: the tax balance is payable within two months of the fiscal year-end (three months for many small businesses eligible for the small business deduction). Filing on time avoids the CRA penalty of 5% plus 1% per month.

Why do prices vary so much from one accountant to another?

Because the price reflects the state of your file, not just the form. For Bankeo files, six factors explain most of the discrepancies: the quality of the bookkeeping, the type of financial statements required, the volume of transactions, shareholder remuneration, the first year of incorporation, and the timing of the mandate. Late bookkeeping alone can double the bill.

Can I file my company's tax return myself?

This is permitted with ARC-certified software, and internet filing is mandatory for most companies. However, T2 requires GIFI annexes, depreciation calculations, and coordination with CO-17: errors quickly become more costly than the fees saved. For an inactive company, the option is justifiable; as soon as there is actual activity, an accountant generally pays for themselves.

What is the price of Bankeo twinning?

Nothing. The service is completely free for entrepreneurs, with no obligation, from the initial contact to the matching process. Bankeo is compensated by the accountants in its network through a fee per completed transaction, known in advance. You describe your needs, we present you with vetted accountants who match your profile, often within 48 hours, and we provide ongoing support.

Official sources

1. Corporate tax (CO-17 declaration);
2. Revenue Agency of the | Canada Corporate income tax (T2 return)
3. Revenue Agency of the | Canada Corporate tax rates
4. Quebec CPA Order