Cost of a business tax return prepared by an accountant in Quebec in 2026

At a Glance. In Quebec in 2026, having an accountant prepare a corporate tax return (T2 for federal and CO-17 for provincial) typically costs between $1,400 and $5,000. For a small business with up-to-date bookkeeping, most engagements cost between $1,500 and $2,500. An inactive business typically pays between $500 and $900 for zero-income returns. These ranges are based on actual fees from 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 commonly requested accounting service among incorporated entrepreneurs in Quebec, and it’s also the one where price differences are the most surprising: for the same case, quotes can vary by as much as threefold. The reason is simple: the price doesn’t depend on the form; it depends on the condition of your file. In this guide, we break down the “corporate tax return” segment of the Bankeo Fee Barometer : actual price ranges, what’s included in the price, and, most importantly, the six factors that cause the bill to vary from one case to another, as observed in contracts arranged through Bankeo.

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

In Quebec, a corporation files two separate returns each year: the T2 with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the CO-17 with Revenu Québec. Most accountants bill for both together as a single engagement. Here are the price ranges observed based on the company’s profile, derived from the actual fees of 1,248 engagements completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received.

To put this expense in context: according to the Bankeo Fee Barometer, a business’s total annual accounting expenses (bookkeeping, tax returns, consulting) average around a median of $3,000 per year, with most cases ranging from $500 to $6,000 depending on the industry and company size. For an incorporated company, the tax return often accounts for the largest portion of these costs.

What’s included in the price (and what’s not)

A business tax return engagement typically covers the following:

• The federal T2 form. The corporate tax return filed with the CRA, including the GIFI schedules (the General Index of Financial Information, which consists of your coded balance sheet and income statement) and the calculation of the capital cost allowance.
• The provincial CO-17 form. The Quebec tax return filed with Revenu Québec is coordinated with the T2 form to avoid any discrepancies between the two jurisdictions.
• Common Schedules. Small business deductions, loss carryforward, and intercompany dividends, depending on your situation.
• Shareholder statements. If the company pays dividends, T5 forms and Relevé 3 statements are sometimes included, and sometimes billed as a small additional fee.

What is not usually included: bookkeeping, properly prepared financial statements (compilation engagement or review engagement), GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) returns, source deductions (DAS), and the shareholder’s T1 and TP1 personal tax returns. Each of these items is added to the invoice, and this is exactly where the differences between quotes become more pronounced.

The 6 factors that affect pricing, based on Bankeo case studies

For business tax return services contracted through Bankeo, price differences between two companies of comparable size are almost always due to the same six factors. Here they are, along with their typical impact on the bill and how to minimize them.

The first factor is worth noting. In the cases we see at Bankeo, poor bookkeeping is the most common reason for a bill to skyrocket. An accountant cannot prepare a reliable T2 return based on a box of invoices: they must first reconstruct the year’s financial records, and this time is billed by the hour. If this is your situation, our guide on the Monthly cost of bookkeeping shows that a monthly flat-rate plan is often less expensive than a last-minute annual catch-up.

Second step: financial statements. Many business owners believe that filing a tax return automatically includes “official” financial statements. In practice, the T2 form only requires the GIFI schedules; a compilation engagement or review engagement is a separate mandate, regulated by the Ordre des CPA du Québec, and it is your bank, not the tax authorities, that may require it. Before accepting the “financial statements” line item on a quote, ask whether your financial institution actually needs them.

One-time service or annual flat-rate package: Which should you choose?

If your company has few transactions and you keep your books properly throughout the year, a one-time tax return filing is sufficient: you pay a one-time fee of between $1,400 and $2,500 for most simple cases. As soon as business activity picks up (payroll, quarterly GST/QST, high volume of invoices), the annual package, which includes bookkeeping, tax returns, and consulting, often becomes more cost-effective: the total cost is generally 10% to 15% lower than the combined cost of separate services, and your records stay in order all year long.

That leaves the question of who does what: a bookkeeper handles day-to-day tasks at a lower cost, while the T2 and CO-17 returns and tax strategy are best handled by an experienced accountant. Our comparison CPA or Bookkeeper: Costs Based on Your Needs explains the threshold at which combining the two becomes cost-effective.

Regarding deadlines: the T2 and CO-17 forms 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 SMEs eligible for the SME deduction). Another point your accountant systematically checks: in Quebec, the reduced provincial tax rate for SMEs is contingent, among other things, on meeting the 5,500 paid-hour threshold. Submitting your tax return early helps you avoid interest on late payments and allows you to verify that these conditions are met before the fiscal year-end.

How to pay the right price

• Compare two or three detailed quotes. Request a line-by-line breakdown: T2 and CO-17 forms, financial statements, tax forms, and bookkeeping. Two identical prices may cover very different scopes of work.
• Submit a complete and accurate filing. Up-to-date books, reconciled bank statements, incorporation documents: every hour you save your accountant is directly reflected on the bill.
• 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 working with companies of your size and in your industry, electronic filing of tax returns, and references from corporate clients.

Frequently asked questions

How much will a T2 and CO-17 tax return cost in Quebec in 2026?

The combined T2 (federal) and CO-17 (provincial) filing typically costs between $1,400 and $5,000, depending on the complexity of the case. A small business with up-to-date bookkeeping generally pays between $1,500 and $2,500. These ranges are based on the actual fees from 1,248 engagements completed through Bankeo (2024-2026), out of more than 15,000 requests received.

Does a company with no business activity have to file a tax return?

Yes. As long as the company exists, it must file a T2 with the CRA and a CO-17 with Revenu Québec every year, even if it has no income or tax due. An accountant prepares these "blank" returns for approximately $500 to $900, which is still much cheaper than the late-filing penalties that would otherwise accumulate.

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

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

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

Because the price reflects the condition of your file, not just the form. For Bankeo cases, six factors account for most of the variations: the quality of bookkeeping, the type of financial statements required, the volume of transactions, shareholder compensation, the first year of incorporation, and when the engagement is assigned. Overdue bookkeeping alone can double the bill.

Can I file my company’s tax return myself?

This is permitted using CRA-approved software, and online filing is mandatory for most corporations. However, Form T2 requires the GIFI schedules, depreciation calculations, and coordination with Form CO-17: errors can quickly end up costing more than the fees saved. For an inactive corporation, this option makes sense; as soon as there is actual business activity, hiring an accountant generally pays off.

How much does bankeo’s matching service cost?

Nothing. The service is completely free for business owners, with no obligation, from the initial contact through to matching. Bankeo is compensated by the accountants in its network through upfront fees per file. You describe your needs, we introduce you to vetted accountants who are a good fit for your case, often within 48 hours, and we’re always there to support you.

Official sources

1. Revenu Québec, Corporate Income Tax (Form CO-17)
2. Canada Revenue Agency, Corporate Income Tax (T2 Return)
3. Canada Revenue Agency, Corporate Tax Rates
4. Ordre des CPA du Québec