Preparing your documents before tax season helps reduce back-and-forth and makes it easier to confirm what applies to your return. Use this checklist as a starting point before a personal tax appointment.
Common Income Slips
Gather the slips that apply to your year:
- T4 employment income slips
- T4A slips for pensions, scholarships, commissions, or other income
- T5, T3, or other investment income slips
- T2202 tuition certificate, if you were a student
- RRSP contribution receipts
- Employment insurance, pension, or government benefit slips, if applicable
If you believe a slip is missing, check your CRA My Account before filing. Slips can arrive at different times, and filing without required income information can lead to reassessment.
Common Receipts And Records
Depending on your situation, bring records for:
- medical expenses
- charitable donations
- childcare expenses
- union or professional dues
- rent or property tax support documents, if relevant to a benefit or credit
- moving expenses, if you moved for eligible work or study reasons
- rental income and expenses
- self-employment income and expenses
Not every receipt creates a deduction or credit. The goal is to organize the facts so eligibility can be reviewed accurately.
Deadlines To Keep In Mind
For most individuals, the personal income tax filing deadline is generally April 30. Self-employed individuals and their spouse or common-law partner generally have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still generally due by April 30.
Always confirm current-year deadlines with CRA, especially when a due date falls on a weekend or recognized holiday.
Records To Keep
CRA guidance generally requires keeping supporting records for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to. Keep copies of your return, Notice of Assessment, receipts, bank records, and other support for claims made on the return.
What Not To Send Through The General Website Form
Do not send SINs, tax slips, CRA credentials, banking details, IDs, or tax documents through the general contact form. Start with a general inquiry; Saihaj Tax will confirm the safest next step for document sharing after consultation.