Nearly three-quarters of tax filers rely on other people to prepare their return, says a new study. Almost three-quarters agree with the statement: “It would be worth the money to use a professional tax preparer if they could save you more in taxes than what it costs to use them.” This question was asked in the survey conducted by the Canadian survey firm NFO Cfgroup.

Almost four in ten turn their slips and receipts over to accountants, 14% rely on their spouse or another family member, one in ten favour a tax preparation service, and just under one in ten enlist the help of a friend or business associate.

The study found that over one-quarter of Canadians prepare their own tax returns. Asked why they do not use an accountant or tax preparation service, 47% say their return is easy, 13% think using a professional is too expensive, and 27% say they actually enjoy doing their own taxes.

The study found that 31 per cent of tax filers have already filed, or plan to file, their 2001 personal income tax return over the Internet. Last year, 24% of returns were filed electronically, according to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

For the telephone survey, 1,016 adult Canadians were interviewed between March 25 and 31. The survey results are nationally representative and considered accurate to within 3.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.