What’s the Cheapest Way to File a T2 Return in Canada?

The cheapest way to file a T2 corporate tax return in Canada depends on how active your corporation was and how much help you need.

If your corporation had no activity and qualifies for a T2 Nil return, you may be able to file online with CloudTax using our Pay What You Want pricing, including $0.

If your corporation had business activity but your books are straightforward, using DIY T2 tax software is generally much less expensive than hiring an accountant to prepare the entire return.

Here is a quick breakdown*:

*Pricing shown was reviewed in September/October 2026 and may change. Always check each provider’s current pricing, features, and eligibility requirements before filing.

Yes, in some situations.

CloudTax offers Pay What You Want pricing, including $0, for eligible T2 Nil returns.

This can be particularly useful if you incorporated a company but never started operating, or your corporation otherwise qualifies for CloudTax's T2 Nil filing option.

File a T2 Nil return with CloudTax

However, having $0 revenue does not automatically mean your return is a Nil return.

For example, if your corporation had expenses, transactions, assets or other financial activity, additional reporting may be required.

Before choosing the Nil option, read: What Counts as a T2 Nil Corporate Tax Return in Canada?

Usually, yes.

Canadian resident corporations generally have to file a T2 Corporation Income Tax Return every tax year, even when there is no tax payable. This includes many inactive corporations.

That means simply leaving an unused corporation alone does not necessarily eliminate its corporate tax filing obligation.

This is one of the reasons CloudTax extended the Pay What You Want model, including $0, to eligible T2 Nil filers.

We believe staying compliant should be accessible, particularly for founders and small business owners who incorporated a company that had little or no activity during the year.

If your corporation had revenue, expenses or other business activity, the cheapest option is usually to prepare the T2 yourself using tax software, assuming your return is straightforward and you are comfortable with your year-end numbers.

CloudTax T2 Basic DIY is $199 per year-end and is designed for straightforward owner-managed Canadian corporations. See CloudTax T2 Basic and current pricing

CloudTax T2 Basic includes:

You do not need an EFILE number to file your own eligible T2 return through CloudTax. Business owners can use their CRA Web Access Code to electronically submit their return.

For an eligible T2 Nil return, CloudTax can cost $0 under our Pay What You Want model.

CloudTax was built to make T2 filing more approachable for business owners who are not professional tax preparers. The platform provides a guided online experience, plain-language questions, built-in checks and a path to expert help if you discover that your return is more complicated than expected.

Most importantly, our pricing is published clearly before you file.

See CloudTax T2 pricing

Hiring an accountant can make sense when your corporation has complicated transactions, incomplete bookkeeping, multiple shareholders, tax planning requirements or other complex corporate tax issues.

But professional preparation can also be considerably more expensive than DIY software.

A relatively straightforward T2 prepared by an accounting firm can cost around $1,000 or more, depending on the firm, the condition of the books and the complexity of the corporation.

For a corporation with clean books and only a small number of straightforward income and expense transactions, paying for full-service preparation may be more help than you need.

CloudTax gives you three alternatives:

DIY: Prepare and electronically file the return yourself.

Review & File: Complete the return and have an expert review it before filing.

Done For You: Have CloudTax prepare and file the T2 for you, starting from $749.

This lets you pay for the level of assistance you actually need.

For most corporations, this is no longer a good way to save money.

For tax years starting after 2023, the CRA generally requires corporations to file their T2 returns electronically, with limited exceptions.

If a corporation is required to file electronically and does not comply, the CRA can assess a $1,000 penalty.

In other words, trying to avoid paying for electronic filing software by simply mailing a paper return could end up costing significantly more.

Read our detailed explanation:

CRA $1,000 Penalty for Not Filing Your T2 Return Electronically

You can also review the CRA's official guidance on mandatory electronic filing and T2 penalties.

One concern with filing your own corporate return is getting stuck during submission.

If you are using CloudTax and encounter a technical issue or CRA filing error, you are not simply left staring at an error code.

CloudTax support is available at [email protected] to help with product and filing-related technical issues.

That support can be particularly valuable for first-time corporate filers who are comfortable entering their own numbers but may not be familiar with CRA's Corporation Internet Filing process.

Here is the simplest way to think about it:

If your corporation qualifies for a T2 Nil return: CloudTax offers Pay What You Want pricing, including $0.

If your corporation has straightforward business activity: compare DIY T2 software.

CloudTax T2 Basic costs $199 per year-end and provides a guided online filing experience with built-in checks.

If you want someone to check your work: CloudTax Review & File is $499.

If you don't want to prepare the T2 yourself or if your corporation is complex: CloudTax Done For You starts at $749.

The goal should not simply be finding the cheapest possible T2 software. It should be finding the lowest-cost filing option that matches the complexity of your corporation and the amount of help you actually need.

For an eligible corporation with a T2 Nil return, CloudTax offers Pay What You Want pricing, including $0. For corporations with financial activity, DIY corporate tax software is generally the least expensive option if you are comfortable preparing the return yourself.

CloudTax allows eligible corporations to prepare and file a T2 Nil return using Pay What You Want pricing, including $0. Eligibility depends on the corporation's activity and filing situation.

Generally, yes. Canadian resident corporations generally have to file a T2 return every tax year even when there is no tax payable, subject to limited exceptions.

T2 preparation fees vary based on the accountant, the complexity of your corporation, and the condition of your books. A basic professionally prepared T2 corporate tax return can cost $1,000 or more, while more complex returns can cost significantly more.

CloudTax Done-For-You starts at $749, where a Canadian CPA or qualified tax expert prepares and files your T2 return from start to finish.

Yes. If your corporation's tax situation is straightforward, you can use CRA-certified corporate tax software to prepare and electronically file your own T2 return.

No. An eligible business owner filing their own T2 can use a CRA Web Access Code with supported Corporation Internet Filing software such as CloudTax.

For tax years starting after 2023, most corporations are required to file their T2 electronically. If your corporation is subject to mandatory electronic filing and does not comply, the CRA can charge a $1,000 penalty.

Whether your corporation had no activity or you have a straightforward corporate return to complete, you can start your T2 online with CloudTax.

T2 Nil: Pay What You Want, including $0
​T2 Basic DIY: $199 per year-end
​Review & File: $499
​Done For You: from $749

Start your T2 return with CloudTax

Pricing referenced in this article was reviewed in September and October 2026 and may change. Eligibility and supported tax situations vary by product. This article provides general information and is not intended as tax or legal advice.