Call 5 CPA firms and ask what a tax return costs. You’ll get 5 different responses, for example:
“We offer competitive rates.”
“Let’s schedule a free consultation.”
That’s pretty much a default response any time you call someone.
I pulled prices from 1,148 CPA firms, and here’s what I’ve learned:
Most of the CPAs still won’t tell you a price. But some will, and here’s what they charge (on average).
Three out of four CPAs won’t put their pricing
Out of 1,148 firms, only 285, or 24.8% listed an actual price anywhere in their pricing description. Everyone else hid behind phrasing that sounds helpful but says nothing:
- “Affordable or competitive pricing” – 196 firms (17%)
- “Free initial consultation” – 162 firms (14%)
- “Affordable rates” – 45 firms
- Some version of “fees depend on complexity” – dozens more
Nearly a quarter of the sample (23.9%) offered a free consult and nothing else. No starting fee. No hourly rate. No range.
Interestingly, firms that publish real numbers average a 4.0 stars. Firms that stick to marketing language average 3.77 stars. The CPAs willing to name a price tend to be the ones with more history and more people willing to leave a review.
If a firm won’t tell you what it charges before you get on a call, that is a red flag.
What you’ll actually pay for a CPA in 2026
Here’s what, on average, your CPA will cost you in 2026:
| Service | Median | Middle 50% | Full range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual return (Form 1040) | $300 | $175-$600 | $30-$2,500 |
| Business return (1120, 1120S, 1065) | $565 | $392-$1,000 | $100-$4,500 |
| Hourly billing | $200/hr | $125-$328 | $25-$600 |
| Monthly bookkeeping/advisory retainer | $497/mo | $200-$1,000 | $20-$7,250+ |
A business return is about 1.9x an individual return. This is because doing a business tax return is more complicated.
Hourly billing is the very drastic between firms. Almost 30% of firms charge $300 or more an hour. Another 18% charge under $100.
However, location actually matters more than you may expect.
Location based CPA price
Same service in a different part of the US, and the price you’ll pay will increase by 50% or more.
| Region | Individual return | Business return | Hourly rate | Monthly bookkeeping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | $300 | $525 | $250 | $500 |
| South | $385 | $628 | $175 | $375 |
| West | $445 | $770 | $200 | $599 |
Once you break down the regions, the pricing may get also vastly different. A monthly bookkeeping retainer ran a median $150 in Texas and $1,250 in Arkansas.
Cost of living does not explain gaps that large. Local markets have simply learned what they can charge, and they charge it. Especially with many CPAs are retiring.
CPAs price disclosure by State
Interesting observation is that in Colorado, almost 50% of firms disclose a real price.
But in Massachussets, barely 1 in 12 CPAs have a pricing disclosure.
West Coast firms publish prices more than twice as often as Northeast firms (35.2% vs. 15.6%). If you’re shopping for a CPA in New England, assume the website won’t help. Time to give them a call.
Four questions to ask
Most firms will not volunteer a price. But if you can be specific, you may actually get a response.
Here are some questions you can ask:
- “What’s a flat fee for a 1040 with one state and a Schedule C?”
- “If work falls outside that scope, what’s your hourly rate?”
- “Is bookkeeping billed monthly or by transaction volume?”
- “Does the quote change once you actually see my documents?”
Being specific with your questions will ensure you can get the most accurate pricing.
The bottom line
Most firms in my sample never provided a price. The ones that did are typically around $300 for an individual return and $565 for a business return.
However, your price will depend on many factors, like where are you located, billing structure, and the complexity.
Use the medians to know what it typically costs for the services you need, and make sure to ask specific questions to know exactly what your situation will cost you.
And if you are looking for a CPA, make sure to submit a free concierge form. I will be able to match you with a CPA firm charging the best prices for your situation.