Can I have my Canadian taxes done somewhere in Florida?

[LDora 7]

So apparently I'm a big idiot and when I moved in 2007, I forgot to do my taxes that year. I've never owed any money before, and I earned even less that year because I left about halfway through the year. Likewise, any returns I got were always very small. (Bakers don't make much.) The woman I spoke to from the CRA who called was very friendly and said I had to have it filed by November 12. She didn't make it sound like I was in any trouble at all.

My question is this. If I take my forms to somewhere like H+R Block here in the states, would they be able to prepare them for me? Barring that, could I have them done by a tax professional back in Canada (outfit similar to H+R Block) even though I don't live there anymore? Like, could I express them the documents and have them file it?

I'm just really lost here as I've never done my taxes myself before and I don't want a mistake to end up costing me. Help?

[trailmix 77]

There are probably tax people in Florida who can do a Canadian return (since there are so many Canadians there) and absolutely you can probably have a Canadian firm do it.

My question would be - how complicated is your return? Do you owe any taxes for that year? If not, you are probably not required to file, however you may want to in case you get some of your tax paid back (have to weigh that against the money you will have to pay for someone to prepare it of course).

Edited October 22, 2009 by trailmix

[SapphireDreams 71]

If all you have are a couple of T4 slips, they are really easy to yourself online.

I use www.cutetax.com - It's like $10 and it's basically just filling out the T4 slip information and any tuition information etc. Then it calculates everything for you.

If my taxes aren't complicated this year, I'll use the same program again. It's SO easy.

[Sprailenes 47]

cutetax... does that come complete with pink back ground and anime emoticons??

sorry the name just reminded me of such things.

[SapphireDreams 71]

cutetax... does that come complete with pink back ground and anime emoticons??

sorry the name just reminded me of such things.

I wish! It's pretty basic and I'm pretty sure some dude developed in in his basement or something. I got it off the Canada Revenue list of approved online vendors, so I know it's legit! I will admit, I selected it off the list because I liked the name

[Inky 1,110]

H& R also has online tax filing using their website for america and canada too, its kind of like using turbo tax but you can do it all and still get the benefit of H&R blocks back up incase something flubs up. The forms all have explinations and its basically fill in the blanks and pretty easy.

[Malrothien 6]

After working at an accounting firm for the past two years and fixing many of H&R Block's mistakes, I would avoid them.

You might be lucky to find a CPA who can file Canadian taxes, but your best bet would be to find a small accounting firm in Canada and have them file the return for you. My firm did tons of NR (non-resident) returns every year - the clients would just fedex/ups the documents to us.

[warlord 72]

There are probably tax people in Florida who can do a Canadian return (since there are so many Canadians there) and absolutely you can probably have a Canadian firm do it.

This is what I was thinking. With so many snow-birds there seasonally in the winter time, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of retired Tax professionals that wouldn't mind making a few dollars doing it on the side. They'd most definatly charge a lot less the then H&R block type places. Hell some might even do it for free for something to do.

Not sure how to contact people, but try searching on the net for something along those lines. You might luck out...