Personal Tax Checklist Canada: What to Gather for Tax Season
’Tis the season… no, not the Christmas season. Tax season is approaching, and it’s time to gear up. While it may not be as exciting as the holidays, preparing early can make a meaningful difference when it comes time to file your taxes.
Many Canadians find taxes stressful and prefer not to think about them until they absolutely have to. That’s completely understandable. Taxes can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t feel prepared. The good news is that a little preparation ahead of time can make tax season far more manageable and much less stressful.
This personal tax checklist is designed to help you gather everything needed for Canadian tax preparation, whether you file your own return or work with a bookkeeper or accountant.
General Information to Bring
Full legal name, date of birth, SIN, and marital status
Children’s names and dates of birth (if applicable)
Previous year’s tax return
Most recent CRA Notice of Assessment or Reassessment
Direct deposit information (if new or recently changed)
Income Slips (Canada)
T4 slips from all employers
This includes employers you worked for earlier in the year, even if you no longer work there
Tax slips issued by the CRA, banks, or financial institutions, including:
T3, T5, T4A, T5007
RRSP contribution slips (including the first 60 days of the new year)
Tuition slips (T2202)
Although these slips are sent to the CRA, providing copies helps ensure your tax return is accurate and complete.
Deductions and Tax Credits
Medical expense receipts and mileage records
Charitable donation receipts
Child care expense receipts (including provider information)
Union or professional dues
Student loan interest statements
Moving expenses (if you moved 40 km or more for work or school)
Education Information
Tuition slips (T2202)
Scholarships, bursaries, or grants
Unused tuition credits (if applicable)
Investments and Other Income
Investment income slips
Capital gains or losses from the sale of investments
Cryptocurrency transactions (if applicable)
Foreign income or foreign investments
RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan or Lifelong Learning Plan repayment information (if applicable)
Self-Employed and Sole Proprietors
If you are self-employed, accurate bookkeeping is essential for proper tax preparation.
Complete bookkeeping records for the year, including:
Revenue
Expenses
Inventory
Assets and equipment
Mileage
Business use of home information (if applicable)
Vehicle information if claiming vehicle expenses
Installment payments made to the CRA
If registered for GST/HST:
GST/HST number
CRA access code
Rental Income
Total rental income received
Property taxes and insurance
Utility costs
Repair and maintenance expenses
Mortgage or loan interest
Asset and improvement information (if applicable)
Farm Income
Farm income
Farm expenses
Assets and equipment
GST/HST information
AgriInvest or AgriStability statements (if applicable)
Commonly Overlooked Tax Items
These items are often missed but can be important:
Home office expenses
Employment expenses (T2200 or T2200S, if applicable)
Disability Tax Credit approval (if applicable)
Caregiver or dependent information
Sale of a principal residence (even if no tax is owing)
Foreign property reporting (if applicable)
Any CRA correspondence received during the year
If you’re unsure whether something applies to you, it’s always better to bring it. Your tax professional can help determine what is needed and what is not.
A Final Thought
A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later. Staying organized throughout the year makes tax filing smoother, more accurate, and far less overwhelming.
If you’re unsure whether you’re missing anything or need help getting organized, that is exactly what I am here for.