The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the Parliamentary Budget Officer tabled a report that shows it will cost taxpayers $340 to administer each simple tax return.

CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano says the government is taking millions of taxpayers dollar every year to provide a service Canadians can already access for free outside of government.

Terrazano says it costs $340 to file simple returns for each person but there is already free software and even some professional accountants cost less.

The CTF says Thursday’s Parliamentary Budget Officer report shows that administering automatic tax filing for 50,000 people with “simple tax situations” will end up costing taxpayers $17 million annually.