Tax preparer accountant familiar with cross-border issues

[m1150]

Hello -- Does anyone know the name of a Toronto tax preparer, preferably downtown, who is used to handling Americans' tax returns? I'm afraid if I keep doing my own taxes I'm going to get audited and/or arrested eventually. Thanks.

[links18]

I think any HR and Block can do your U.S. return for you, but they will charge you $$. Why are you afraid of being arrested? I know the U.S. is a draconian, prison industrial complex, but unless you are doing something criminal, the most they are likely to do is charge you interest and penalties. If its a simple individual return, you can probably figure it out yourself. Still, if you aren't comfortable, most Canadian tax preparers can probably help with a U.S. return also.

[m1150]

That was a joke about getting arrested.

[JoeHogg]

Unfortunately, I can't recommend a good accountant, but I can advice you to avoid a firm called US Tax Services near Toronto.

After what we thought was quite careful research, my wife and decided to hire US Tax Services to handle our Canadian and American returns this year, and oh boy what a huge mistake it was. They claim they have over 20 years experience in international tax matters, yet they spelled my name wrong in three different ways in the returns and forgot to sign them! So we couldn't file on time. They also refused to give us an itemized bill, plus the communication has been really bad, almost non existent.

[toby]

Look in the Finance and Taxation section.  "Jonboy" is in B.C. but certainly could handle your tax issues.

I agree:  better to be careful than audited.

[Alabaman]

Unfortunately, I can't recommend a good accountant, but I can advice you to avoid a firm called US Tax Services near Toronto.

After what we thought was quite careful research, my wife and decided to hire US Tax Services to handle our Canadian and American returns this year, and oh boy what a huge mistake it was. They claim they have over 20 years experience in international tax matters, yet they spelled my name wrong in three different ways in the returns and forgot to sign them! So we couldn't file on time. They also refused to give us an itemized bill, plus the communication has been really bad, almost non existent.

Yup. Although there are some good accountants out there but I have found out that they dont know everything. Sometimes I have found that I am more knowledgeable than them.