Resources
What to Bring
Tax season goes faster when everything arrives at once. Work through the sections that apply to you — most people only need two or three — and skip the rest. If a slip hasn't arrived yet, tell us; we can usually see what the CRA has on file once you've authorized us.
Everyone
Every Return Starts Here
- Your most recent notice of assessment It carries your RRSP room, carryforwards, and instalment history
- SIN and date of birth for you, your spouse, and any dependants First year only — we keep it on file after that
- Last year's tax return New clients only — it tells us what carries forward
- Any letters the CRA sent you during the year
- Changes since last year — address, marital status, dependants, first home
- Void cheque or direct deposit details If your banking changed or you're new to us
- Instalment payments made during the year, with dates and amounts
Employment
If You're Employed
- T4 from every employer you worked for during the year
- T4E if you collected employment insurance
- T5007 if you received WSIB or social assistance payments
- Union or professional dues receipts Only if they're not already on your T4
- Form T2200 and an expense summary Only if your employer requires you to pay for supplies, a vehicle, or a home office
Self-Employment
If You Work for Yourself
- Income records — invoices, platform statements, or a yearly summary
- Expense records grouped by category Supplies, advertising, insurance, phone, subcontractors — a spreadsheet is perfect
- Vehicle log — business kilometres and total kilometres Plus fuel, insurance, repairs, and lease or loan costs
- Home office details — workspace and home square footage, utilities, internet, rent or mortgage interest, property tax
- Equipment or asset purchases over a few hundred dollars These are claimed over time as capital cost allowance
- HST returns filed during the year, if you're registered
Investments
If You Invest
- T5 slips — interest and dividends from banks and brokerages
- T3 slips — mutual fund and ETF distributions These arrive late, often the end of March
- T5008 or your broker's realized gain/loss report for anything sold
- Purchase records for what you sold The adjusted cost base decides the gain — especially for older holdings
- RRSP contribution receipts — March to December, plus the first 60 days of this year
- T4FHSA if you contributed to or withdrew from a first home savings account
- Crypto transaction history, if you traded Dispositions are taxable even crypto-to-crypto
- Interest paid on money borrowed to invest
- Details of foreign property if the total cost passed $100,000 CAD The T1135 has its own stiff late-filing penalty
Rental Property
If You're a Landlord
- Rent collected for the year, by property
- Operating expenses — property tax, insurance, utilities, condo fees, repairs, advertising, property management
- Mortgage statement showing the year's interest Interest is deductible; principal isn't
- Receipts for renovations or improvements Capital work is claimed over time, not all at once — we'll sort which is which
- Closing documents if you bought or sold a property this year
Home & Family
Life at Home
- Childcare receipts showing the provider's name and SIN or business number
- Medical and dental receipts — including premiums for private health plans Worth gathering once they pass roughly 3% of the lower-income spouse's income
- Charitable donation receipts
- Tuition certificate (T2202) — yours, or a transfer from your child
- Student loan interest statements
- Closing documents if you bought your first home The home buyers' amount is worth up to $1,500
- Support payments made or received, with the agreement
- Moving expenses, if you moved 40 km closer to work or school
- Details if you sold your home A principal residence sale is tax-free but must still be reported — year bought and sale proceeds
Retirement
If You're Retired
- T4A(OAS) and T4A(P) — old age security and CPP
- T4A slips for company or other pensions
- T4RSP or T4RIF for RRSP and RRIF withdrawals
- Foreign pension statements US social security and many others get special treatment
- Medical expenses — often the biggest missed claim in retirement
- Your spouse's income details Pension income splitting is decided at filing time and can save real money