How much does a CA charge for filing an ITR?

Asked by: Eldon Heathcote  |  Last update: March 12, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

A CA's fee for filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) varies significantly, typically ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 or more, depending on the complexity (salaried vs. business/capital gains), the CA's location/reputation, and added services, with basic salaried returns on the lower end and complex self-employed or multiple income sources on the higher end, although platforms offer plans starting around ₹1,299.

How much does CA charge for ITR?

ITR Filing Charges:

Salaried ITR Filing: ₹1,000/- Capital Gain / Share Gain-Loss ITR: ₹1,500/- Business ITR – 44AD Return: ₹2,000/- All other ITR Filing: ₹3,000/-

How much does it cost to fill an ITR?

What are the ITR filing fees? 1 Finance charges a fixed fee of ₹2,499 for filing the ITR for FY 2024-25. There are no additional charges for filing the ITR if you have multiple sources of income, capital gains, or foreign income.

How much does an accountant charge to file tax returns?

The average cost of tax preparation by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the U.S. typically ranges from $200–$500 for individual returns and $1,000–$5,000 for small business or corporate returns. Costs depend on the complexity of your taxes, the number of forms required, and your location.

Can a CA file my ITR?

Before the CA files any form or makes submissions on your behalf on the e-Filing portal, he or she should be authorized by you. Moreover, there are certain statutory forms that require CA certification. You can add CA using this service and the CA has to accept the addition request to submit or ITRs / Forms.

File Salary ITR 1 in 10 mins | 2025 | CA Rachana Ranade

45 related questions found

How much do tax consultants charge?

A tax advisor's cost varies significantly, from $200-$500 for simple personal returns to $1,500-$5,000+ for complex business filings, with hourly rates for CPAs typically ranging from $150-$400/hour and tax lawyers even higher ($200-$550+), depending on complexity, location, and professional expertise (CPA vs. Enrolled Agent). Factors like multiple income sources (crypto, freelance), deductions, business ownership, and needing proactive planning (which can cost $1,000s annually) drive costs up. 

What's the most a tax preparer can charge?

Legally, a tax preparer can charge any fee they set, but it must be clearly disclosed and not based on a percentage of your refund or tax owed; fees vary widely from $150-$250 for simple returns to $500+ for complex business forms, depending on complexity, location, and preparer experience, with common illegal practices including asking you to sign blank returns, guaranteeing refunds, or taking a percentage of your refund. 

How much does H&R Block charge for a personal tax return?

H&R Block individual tax return costs vary from Free for simple returns (W-2, basic credits) to around $89+ for full-service tax pro filing, with DIY software plans like Deluxe (investments) starting around $35-$70 federal, and Premium (rental/self-employed) costing more, plus state fees, typically $37-$45, depending on complexity and chosen service level (DIY software, expert help, or full preparation). 

How much does it cost to do a standard tax return?

A standard, basic tax return (Form 1040 with W-2 income and standard deduction) costs around $100 to $250 for DIY software or $220 to $300+ with a professional preparer, with costs increasing significantly for itemized deductions (Schedule A), self-employment (Schedule C), investments (Schedule D), or rental income (Schedule E). Costs vary by complexity, location, and preparer, but simple federal-only returns are cheapest, while complex returns with businesses or multiple states can run $500 to over $1,000. 

Can I file ITR for free?

MyITReturn

The portal offers free e-filing facility to salaried employees with income less than Rs. 2.50 lakh. Taxpayers with higher income have paid plans for them, starting from Rs. 199 plus taxes.

What is the fee payable in ITR?

Here are the late fee penalties under section 234F of the Income Tax Act: If a taxpayer's total income is above Rs. 5 lakh they are liable to pay a penalty of Rs. 5,000 if they file their ITR after the due date but before 31 December of the same assessment year.

Does CA have free tax filing?

File directly with us — for free

Use CalFile to e-file your state tax return directly to the Franchise Tax Board. Get real-time confirmation and the fastest refund possible. And best of all, it's free. File your federal taxes for FREE with the IRS.

How much do chartered accountants cost?

The cost of hiring an accountant in the UK depends on your business model and the type of service you need. Here's a general guide: Solo traders can expect to pay between £60 and £150 per month. Limited companies pay between £100-£350+ per month.

Are tax filing services worth it?

They'll likely help you lower your tax bill: You might be filing your taxes on your own without realizing you could be saving money. Small business owners can take advantage of several tax deductions, and a tax professional will make sure you're getting the most value from your return.

What is the CA charge for ITR?

Our CA-assisted plans for salary and house rent income start from Rs 1299. If you have capital gains income, the plan starts from Rs 3999. We also have CA-assisted plans for self-employed and professionals starting from 3999. Crypto traders can also use our expert-assisted plans, starting from Rs 2999.

Is it cheaper to use a tax preparer or do it myself?

It's cheaper to do your own taxes for simple situations using free or low-cost software, saving money on preparer fees (which can range from $150-$300+ for simple returns). However, hiring a professional can be cheaper in the long run if your taxes are complex (business income, investments, rental properties), as an expert can prevent costly errors, find deductions you missed, and offer valuable tax-saving advice, potentially reducing your overall tax bill more than their fee. 

How much does H&R Block charge for tax returns?

H&R Block's tax return costs vary from Free for simple returns (Form 1040, some credits/deductions) to paid tiers like Deluxe ($35+), Premium ($70+), and Self-Employed ($85+), plus about $37 per state, depending on complexity (itemized deductions, investments, business income), with in-office help costing more, starting around $89-$100+ for basic situations. Costs increase with more forms (like Schedule C for self-employment) or expert assistance, with potential add-ons and state e-filing fees. 

How much should I pay for someone to file my taxes?

You should expect to pay $200-$300 for a basic tax return (Form 1040 with standard deduction and state return), but costs rise significantly with complexity, potentially reaching $500 to over $1,000 for complex situations (like self-employment, investments, or rental income), with CPAs charging more than large tax chains or freelancers, and free options available for lower-income taxpayers. 

What are red flags for tax preparer fees?

Red flags for tax preparer fees include charging a percentage of your refund, promising unrealistically large refunds, not signing the return (ghost preparers), pressuring you to sign blank forms, and requiring cash payments or deposits into their accounts, all indicating potential fraud or conflict of interest, as legitimate preparers use flat/hourly fees and focus on accuracy, not just refund size. 

What is the $600 rule in the IRS?

The IRS $600 rule refers to the reporting threshold for third-party payment apps (like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App) for income from goods/services, where they send Form 1099-K to you and the IRS for payments over $600 in a year. While the American Rescue Plan initially set this lower threshold for 2022 and beyond, the IRS delayed implementation, keeping the old rule ($20,000 and 200+ transactions) for 2022 and 2023, then phasing in a $5,000 threshold for 2024, before recent legislation reverted the federal threshold back to the old $20,000 and 200+ transactions for 2023 and future years (as of late 2025/early 2026), aiming to reduce confusion. 

How much do tax preparers charge in California?

Hourly rates

Some tax professionals choose to charge by the hour. This is particularly popular in more complex tax cases, when it's not clear how long it will take to complete. Tax professionals typically charge between $100 and $200 per hour, but experienced pros and CPAs may charge even more.

Is $100 an hour good for consulting?

Yes, $100/hour is a decent starting or mid-range rate for many consultants, especially beginners or those in general fields like marketing or IT, but it can be low for highly specialized experts (who charge $200-$600+) or high for entry-level work, depending heavily on your experience, niche, and market demand. For many, it's a good base, but top-tier consultants often charge significantly more, while some may find it low if they have high overhead or are in a lucrative industry.