Free Returns!?! What is this all about?

Yes I do some kinds of tax returns for free! 

I will do your very basic personal Canadian income return(s) and/or your basic personal Canadian income tax return(s) for free as my contribution to society if you meet the Canada Revenue Agency's criteria for free tax returns under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. I will not insist on your interest income being under $1,000 and I will prepare the return for a deceased spouse if all assets roll over tax free to the surviving spouse which is normally the case. Note that if your household income is above the threshold then neither spouse can be done for free. 
You should only select this option if you know you are not going to owe anything as I may not look at it until May depending on when it is submitted. Returns will be worked on as I have time and paying customers have priority over free returns. If I am really busy with paying work I may not get to your return until May depending on when you submit your request.
Once the Canada Revenue Agency authorization has been received I will check the information supplied initially to see if it looks like everything is there. I will email you a quick note to let you know I received everything, have access to Represent a Client and that you have been added to our list of free returns to be prepared. If anything appears to be missing I will let you know at this point. Includes responding to Canada Revenue Agency processing or pre-assessment letters if any.
I will answer short, simple and direct questions you may have about the return via email. This is a free service after all so I will not answer extensive questions as part of this but I will answer basic questions you might have about your return at the time I return it to you for approval before e-filing.
If you have general tax questions - make a note of your questions and ask me sometime after June 1st. I may answer longer questions for free for at that time depending on what the question is.

I can e-file returns back as far as 2015 and adjust tax returns as far back as 2009 if you have not filed recently or need a return amended for something that was missed when you filed your earlier returns. I will not file original returns earlier than 2015 for free however as they must be paper filed. 

Only Very Basic and Basic Personal Canadian Tax Returns Qualify for this and free returns must be ordered on-line.

You can "purchase" a free return by clicking on the add to cart buttons below. To qualify for a free return you must meet the Canada Revenue Agency's criteria for free tax returns under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program although I will not insist on your interest income being under $1,000 and I will prepare the return for a deceased spouse if all assets roll over tax free to the surviving spouse which is normally the case.  Note that if your household income is above the threshold then neither spouse can be done for free. See the products in the store for a much more detailed description of what in included in these types of returns. 

Once you authorize Expatax Services Ltd as your Canadian Tax Representative I will go online to look at your information to see if you qualify or not. If you don't qualify for a free return for whatever reason I will notify you. At that point you may opt for a discounted return (payable upon completion) or you may revoke the authorization with the CRA online.

You should consider this if...

  1. You don't care when your return is filed because you never owe them anything (either because your income is very low or because withholdings at source or other refundable credits such as the working income tax credit, medical expense credit or child fitness credits are enough to offset any taxes you may owe on your income) and the only reason you need to file a return is to get your quarterly GST payments and, if you have children, your monthly child tax benefits. You may be able to get a refund as a result of refundable credits in some cases even if you didn't have any tax withheld at source on a T4. If you are expecting a large enough refund that you want it faster then please check out my discounted rates. 
  2. You are a student with a tuition slip, a couple of small T4's perhaps and not much else. You will not owe the Canada Revenue Agency anything because you have more than enough tuition to offset any employment income you have. You are filing to record your tuition carryforwards for use when you graduate, get any refund you may be entitled to and also get your quarterly GST payments.
What happens if you don't qualify for a free return?
  1. You can try preparing your return yourself with free software certified by the Canada Revenue Agency. I usually recommend simpletax.ca for those with only a couple of slips but their income is too high to qualify. I usually recommend studiotax.com for those with self employment, extensive investment (requiring sch 3) or rental income which means that they don't qualify even if their income is otherwise low enough.  
  2. You can check out my Standard Tax Return Pricing if you don't qualify for a free return or if you want it filed faster - perhaps because you are expecting a refund!

1837 Olympus Way, West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 3H9, Canada            Laurie@Mounteer.ca      1-778-755-0754

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