Do I DIY or get professional help? Filing your own taxes could save you money — or cost you

Let’s talk about it like adults and figure out when DIY makes sense, when professional help pays off and how to make the choice that’s right for you.

The simple case: DIY can be totally fine

If your finances are straightforward — think one employer, a T4 slip, maybe a T5 investment slip, standard deductions like RRSP contributions or union dues — doing your own taxes is entirely possible and common in Canada. The Canada Revenue Agency offers guides, forms and FAQs specifically to help you manage your tax information yourself. You can also set up a secure CRA “My Account” to track your tax history and bring information into a tax software automatically.

DIY options have come a long way and are user-friendly. Understanding how easy it is to make a typo, these options typically offer tools to import CRA slips directly to reduce manual errors.

That’s not just marketing. CRA’s own NETFILE system means millions of Canadians file electronically each year, and e‑filing often gets your refund faster than mailing a paper return.

Bottom line for simple returns: you can save money and learn about your finances by doing it yourself.

When it’s worth paying a pro

Let’s be honest. Not all tax situations are simple. If last year brought changes like marriage, divorce, a new baby, a house purchase, a side business, or rental properties or foreign income, things start to get complicated. Consider what changes you may have experienced in the previous tax year and if they will impact your ability to do your taxes, either time wise or having to figure out nuances that you are not necessarily familiar with.

Having an accountant’s help isn’t just having them plug numbers into a website for you. An accountant isn’t just a data entry person. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) has advanced training in tax law and can help you spot credits or deductions you may miss, reduce errors and provide strategic tax planning. Accountants may be a better choice when you’re dealing with business income or special situations, or if you feel uncomfortable navigating the rules on your own.

Accountants in Canada typically charge between $150 and $400 an hour, depending on complexity and location. That may sound like a lot. But if they help you avoid penalties, uncover deductions you’d otherwise miss or protect you against misreporting, you may actually come out ahead.

Audit risk: pros and cons

Worried about audits or CRA reviews and wondering if DIY tax returns increase your risk? In Canada, the CRA doesn’t audit based on who prepared your return. It uses risk assessment systems and compliance checks to decide which files to examine more closely.

What does trigger attention? Things like unreported income, unusually high deductions or large changes from prior years could raise flags. The overall chance of being audited or reviewed is relatively low — about 1% of all tax returns are subject to audit or compliance actions. So simply filing with certified DIY software doesn’t make you more likely to get picked. What matters more is accuracy and documentation.

That said, a professional can help you understand and defend against any claims if the CRA comes calling.

Hybrid options: best of both worlds

If you like the idea of the DIY route but want a safety net, some services offer expert review and assistance. Some DIY tax programs have packages where you prepare your return and then have an expert review it before filing, or even handle the whole process for you for a set fee that’s lower than traditional accounting.

This can be especially appealing if your return is mostly simple but you’re unsure about a few things.

How to decide for your situation

Here’s a checklist to ask yourself before deciding whether to hire a professional or do your taxes yourself:

1. How complex was my tax year?

If you had only employment income and a few credits you understand, DIY may be plenty. If you had business income, investments, foreign assets or complex deductions, a pro might make sense.

2. How much time do I have?