Get ready for tax time

use this checklist to collect all the documents and information you need

Personal Income Tax Preparation Checklist

The more details you provide, the bigger your potential refund. Keep receipts, invoices, and proof of expenses all year.
Set up a CRA My Account to make filing easier.
The forms you need will depend on your income and situation — this checklist will help you gather everything for a smooth tax filing.

Before You Start

- Keep receipts, invoices, and proof of expenses throughout the year (especially if self-employed)
- Register for a CRA My Account for easier online filing
- Review last year’s Notice of Assessment
- Gather all slips, forms, and receipts based on your income and situation

Income Slips

☐ T4 – Employment income
☐ T4A / T4E – Employment insurance benefits
☐ T3, T5, T5008 – Interest, dividends, mutual funds, investments
☐ T2202 – Tuition and Enrollment Certificate
☐ T4A-OAS / T4AP – Old Age Security and CPP benefits
☐ T5007 – Social assistance or workers’ compensation benefits
☐ T4A – Other pensions and annuities
☐ Any other CRA-issued information slips

Receipts for Deductions & Credits

☐ Support payments (child, spouse, or common-law partner)
☐ RRSP contribution receipts
☐ Tool expenses (for tradespersons/apprentice mechanics)
☐ Professional or union dues
☐ Teacher’s school supplies
☐ Medical expenses
☐ Other employment expenses (must have T2200/T2200S if required)
☐ Home renovations (for seniors or persons with disabilities)
☐ Political contributions
☐ Charitable donations
☐ Childcare expenses
☐ Adoption expenses
☐ Moving expenses
☐ Interest paid on student loans
☐ Carrying charges and investment interest
☐ Exams for professional certification
☐ Digital news subscriptions
☐ Labour Mobility Deduction for tradespeople

Other Documentation

☐ Last year’s Notice of Assessment/Reassessment
☐ CRA correspondence
☐ Sale of principal residence (report even if no tax is owed)
☐ Sale or deemed sale of stocks, bonds, or real estate
☐ Northern residents’ deduction receipts
☐ Rental income and expense receipts
☐ Business, farm, or fishing income/expense records
☐ Automobile/travel logbook and related expenses
☐ Disability Tax Credit Certificate
☐ Declaration of Conditions of Employment (T2200 or T2200S)
☐ Volunteer Firefighter certification
☐ Search and Rescue volunteer certification
☐ Written proof for eligible educator school supplies
☐ Any additional receipts or forms specific to your situation

Business Information

☐ Business name
☐ Business address
☐ Business number
☐ GST/HST number (if registered)
☐ Description of products or services
☐ GST filed by owner (Yes/No)
☐ Percentage of partnership (if applicable)
☐ Partnership number (if applicable)

Income

☐ Gross business income (before taxes, exclude T4A amounts)
☐ Professional income
☐ GST/HST collected
☐ PST collected
☐ Self-employed income on T4A (Yes/No)

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

☐ Opening inventory (start-of-year)
☐ Purchases during the year
☐ Closing inventory (end-of-year)
☐ Direct wages and subcontractor costs

Business Expenses

☐ Advertising and marketing
☐ Office supplies, stationery, postage
☐ Professional fees (legal, accounting, consulting)
☐ Licenses, dues, memberships, subscriptions
☐ Office rent
☐ Utilities (internet, phone, electricity, heating)
☐ Training, conferences, seminars
☐ Travel expenses (transportation, lodging, meals)
☐ Insurance (business and private health)
☐ Equipment or software (details and cost)
☐ Other business expenses

Vehicle Expenses

☐ Vehicle make and model
☐ Purchase or lease date
☐ Purchase/lease documentation (if new vehicle)
☐ Total kilometres driven in the year
☐ Business kilometres driven in the year
☐ Fuel and oil
☐ Insurance
☐ Interest on vehicle loans
☐ Repairs and maintenance
☐ Registration and licensing
☐ Parking and tolls
☐ Other vehicle expenses
☐ Logbooks or digital mileage records

Home Office Expenses

☐ Square footage of office space vs. total home area (e.g., 1/3)
☐ Rent or mortgage interest
☐ Utilities (internet, phone, electricity, water, heating)
☐ Insurance
☐ Maintenance and repairs
☐ Property taxes
☐ Cleaning, landscaping, or other relevant costs
☐ Condo/strata fees
☐ Other home office expenses

Self-Employed Tax Preparation Checklist

Tax season can be stressful for self-employed people like contractors, beauty service providers, food delivery drivers, taxi drivers, and other gig workers. Unlike employees with a T4, you need to track your own income, expenses, and deductions — and handle GST/HST if required.

Missing receipts or deductions can cost you money or lead to CRA penalties. This Self-Employed Tax Preparation Checklist will help you stay organized and file with confidence.