This is Part 2 of the Canadian Tax Courses: Online and In-Class.
At some point we’ve used or encountered a free and commercial tax software as a Canadian resident. And when the circumstances get complicated we rush to a tax preparation firm to do even our personal in come tax return.
Tax Courses by Tax Preparation Firm
How about enrolling in the tax class offered by the following tax preparation firms all over Canada:
1. Softron
Softron provides tax preparation service in Missisauga and Meadowvale Ontario. The Canadian tax courses are accessible either online or in-class.
- Personal Income Tax Course (online and in-class course)
- Corporate and Business (online and in-class course)
- Trust and Estate Planning Course (online only)
- Personal Finance Planning (online only)
The courses include textbook and TaxTron professional tax software (worth $249.99).
If you are looking for a free Canadian tax software, you can try TaxTron tax software for individuals. It costs $12.99 if you choose to buy. Though I haven’t tried it, TaxTron is definitely more affordable than TurboTax and H & R Block which both offer a free online tax software.
Contact Information
Head Office Mississauga
Address: 3161 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, ON L5A 2G9
Phone: (905) 273-4444
Toll-Free: 1(877) 763-8766
Email: softron@softrontax.com
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 am – 5:00 pm
Meadowvale Town Centre
Address: 6590 Meadowvale Town Center Circle, Mississauga, ON L5N 4B7
Phone: (905) 816-1800
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 am – 5:00 pm
2. Liberty Tax Service
I used to do my own tax with a tax software (see the list at the end of the post) before I’ve known Liberty Tax Service through a friend. And yes, you do get a discount for the tax preparation service. (Note: I have no affiliation to LTS.)
Later I found out that LTS is also offering tax classes available online and in-class. Here’s how it works for the online tax course.
Liberty Tax Service has partnered with Knowledge Bureau which I’ve mentioned on the Part 1 of this post. You can take the T1 Professional Tax Course (Basic) online with in-class support.
The in-class support is an advantage to the student especially in using a tax software. In Calgary, there are 10 Liberty Tax Service locations to choose from. And if you want to take advanced tax course, you can continue learning on Knowledge Bureau.
Contact Information
Headquarters Local Phone: (905) 474-3716
Headquarters Toll Free: 1(800) 790-3863
Headquarters Fax: 1(866) 902-1245
Email: CanadaInfo@libtax.com
Tip: You can get a BIG discount taking the basic tax course through the link on the Liberty Tax Service.
3. H&R Block
The H&R Block tax course: Income Tax Level 1 is offered in different H&R offices all over Canada. What is unique in this program is that students can apply for employment at H&R Block after successfully completing the course.
For others who prefer to do their own personal income tax return, H&R Block has FREE online and desktop tax preparation software. The paid version comes with extra features which you may need or not. You can always upgrade whenever the need arise.
And if you’re wondering, I’ve tried the online H&R Block software and found it easy to use using the wizard. It also helps that I’ve used another free tax preparation software.
Like I’ve said, I’m writing about Canadian tax course for EVERYONE. The last part of the post is meant for advanced tax courses for individuals aiming a career in finance. If this is you, well, let’s keep moving/reading.
Related Post: Free Online Courses on Lynda with Calgary Public Library Membership
Canadian Tax Courses in Schools (Online and In-Class)
The course about Canadian taxation is often part of a certificate or designation related to Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Management.
Unlike the online tax courses offered by private companies, the following courses (online or in-class) have prerequisites. You wouldn’t be able to take the course unless you completed the prerequisites.
In spite of the road block for some, I made the list for reference especially for those who are taking a finance-related career.
The schools include colleges and universities. The course includes print textbook and study guide. I added a list of textbooks at the end of the post. Here’s the list is in no particular order:
#1: Algonquin College
Course: Canadian Taxation (online, with prerequisite)
Fee: $524.60
#2: Athabasca University
Course: Taxation (TAXX) 301 (online, with prerequisite)
#3: Canadian Institute of Management and Technology (CIMT)
- Income Tax – Personal
- Income Tax – Corporate
#4: Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada
Courses (in-class):
#5: Calgary Immigrant Educational Society (CIES)
Although the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society is an exception to the list since it is a settlement agency for newcomers, I added it to the list anyway. Let’s not be uptight when it comes to categorizing. As long as people can learn from an organization, it has to be added to the list.
Courses (in-class, Saturday):
- Accounting (Basic)
- Accounting (Advanced) – the Basic Accounting is the prerequisite of this course that deals with:
- Payroll
- Taxation principles
- Personal income taxes
- Business/corporate taxes
- Pensions and other employee benefits
- Complex financial instruments
- Accounting principles
Fee:
- Basic Accounting = $115.00 + $5 admin fee for citizens, permanent residents (PR) and refugees
- Basic Accounting = $225.00 + $5 admin fee for work permits/work visas holder
- Advanced Accounting = $125.00 + $5 admin fee for citizens, permanent residents (PR) and refugees
- Advanced Accounting = $260.00 + $5 admin fee for work permits/work visas holder
The CIES has 10 employment-related programs (which include the Accounting courses) for newcomers in Canada. After completing the course, the students will learn the soft and technical skills that are important in integrating in the Canadian workforce.
Tip: My friend is taking the course and she highly recommend it to everyone. Now I know who to ask in preparing my income tax return.
#6: Chinook Learning Services
Course: Taxation Basics (in-class at Calgary, Alberta)
Fee: $299.99 (2 classes)
#7: Don Mills Career College
- Income Tax Personal
- Income Tax: Self-Employed/Small Business
- T2 Corporate Tax Preparation
#8: Douglas College
Course: ACCT 3370: Income Tax 1 (lecture, online, partially online)
#9: Humber
Course: Introduction to Income Tax (online, final exam in person)
Fee: $509.40
#10: Mount Royal University (MRU)
Course: ACCT 4280 – Introduction to Personal and Corporate Income Tax (in-class, with prerequisite)
#11: Niagara College
Courses (online):
#12: Seneca College
Course: IAF320 – Income Tax 1 (in-class, with prerequisite)
Fee: $516.20
#13: Thompson Rivers University (TRU)
Course: ACCT 3221 – Income Taxation 1 (online, with prerequisite)
Is this the end of the list? Definitely not. There’s so much choices adding the fact that anyone can study online. But I have to stop here so I can publish the post and move on to the next topic.
Tax Preparation Software
The following is a collection of free and paid tax software mentioned on this post and I came across while researching:
- H&R Block
- Profile
- QuickBooks Self-Employed – not a software but can help freelancer in organization of expenses
- StudioTax – first software I’ve tried and still using
- TurboTax
- CRA: Certified Software fro the NETFILE program
Tip: Use more than one software to see which gives a better result like higher refund or not owing the Government of Canada (not the software’s fault).
Do you have any recommendation? Share what you like or dislike in the comment.
Canadian Taxation Textbook
- Canadian Tax Principles (affiliate) — 2016/2017 Edition. Volume I, Volume II, and Study Guide by Clarence Byrd and Ida Chen
- Introduction to Federal Income Taxation in Canada 2016-2017 (the Calgary Public Library has a copy)
- Make Sure It’s Deductible (affiliate) by Evelyn Jacks
Other Resources:
This is the last part of this post but I cannot promise of not updating this post especially the resources. So have fun with more reading.
- TaxTips.ca
- CRA: Acts and Regulations
- CRA: Income Tax Act
- IFSE Institute: Tax-Efficient Investing and Canadian Investment Funds Course (online)
- Revenu Quebec
- Tax Planning Guide – up-to-date reference on the latest business and individual tax developments.
Related Post: My Book Review of Tax Efficient Investing
By the second part of the post, I’ve decided which course to take. The timing is just perfect. How about you?
Which course are you going to take? Or maybe you’ll try a different software? Share your good or bad experience anything related to taxation.
Hi Carolyn,
I know my question is out of the way but somehow it is related with tax. I am applying for permanent residency this April and as you know one of the requirements are T4 and Notice of Assessment from CRA. My employer filed my 2016 T4 this April. I already got my Notice of Assessment and refund but then we found there was something wrong in my T4 (he inputted the employment income from the net pay which is supposed to be from gross pay)so my employer filed the Amended t4. Its been two weeks now from the day the Tax center received my amended t4.
And until now no reply yet, I’m still waiting for the notice of Assessment from the Amended T4 but, I do have copies of my initial 2016 t4 and its notice of as assessment.
Do you think its okay for me to pass my PR application without the notice of assessment for my amended t4? Is it okay that I will just attach my initial 2016 t4 and its notice of assessment and the amended t4 with an explanation letter stating what happened and that I’m still waiting for my notice of assessment for the amended t4 or should i just attach my initial 2016 t4 and notice of assessment without the copy of amended t4?
Do you think it will be return to me or it will be processed?
Your response will be highly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Nikki. I’m not sure how significant is the amended T4. I suggest you to call the CRA to get a first-hand information. As for the copy of amended T4, you can login/register to CRA – myAccount to view the Notice of Assessment and other documents. You can check if the amended T4 is available online. I was able to get a copy of my assessment online and not in the mail.
I’ve mentioned My Account on the post Get CRA Tax Refund. I would suggest everyone to create an account on CRA to have an idea of all the transaction/documents submitted to the agency.