Personal Tax Filing Checklist (T1 – 2026 filing season)
A. Personal & family information
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Full legal name(s), DOB, SIN(s) (taxpayer + spouse/common-law partner)
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Current address, marital status changes in 2025, date of change (if any)
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Dependants: names, DOB, SIN (if applicable), custody arrangements/changes
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Direct deposit details (if new/changed)
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CRA My Account access (helpful for slips/NOA carryforwards)
B. Common income slips (provide all that apply)
Employment & benefits
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T4 (employment)
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T4A (pensions, scholarships, other income)
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T4E (EI)
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T4OAS / T4AP / T4RSP / T4RIF / T4A(P) (benefits/pensions/RRSP/RRIF)
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T5007 (social assistance/workers’ compensation)
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Pension split info (if applicable)
Investments
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T5 (interest/dividends)
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T3 / T5013 (trust/partnership slips — these may arrive later than other slips)
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Broker statements (capital gains/losses), realized gain/loss reports
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Foreign income slips/statements (if any)
Other
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Rental income summary (T776 support, if applicable)
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Support payments received (details)
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Other income not on slips (honoraria, side gigs, tips, etc.)
Tip for clients: CRA notes most slips arrive by end of February; some (like T3/T5013) can arrive later.
C. Deductions (bring documents/receipts)
RRSP / PRPP / pensions
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RRSP contribution receipts (including first 60 days where applicable)
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Pension adjustment / PSPA info (if applicable)
Child care
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Child care receipts + provider name/address (and SIN/BN if required)
Moving / employment / other
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Moving expenses details (eligible relocations only)
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Union/professional dues not on T4
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Employment expenses & signed T2200/T2200S (if applicable)
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Carrying charges / investment counsel fees (if applicable)
D. Credits (bring documents/receipts)
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Medical expenses (family total) + travel/parking where relevant
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Donations (official donation receipts)
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Tuition/enrolment (T2202) + unused carryforward amounts
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Disability Tax Credit (DTC) approval letter and related amounts (if applicable)
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Public transit (only if eligible for the year), other federal/provincial credits as applicable
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Home ownership documents (if applicable to credits you claim)
E. Residency & cross-border / foreign reporting (if applicable)
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Immigration/residency dates (arrived/left Canada in 2025)
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Foreign employment income, pensions, or investments
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Foreign tax paid (statements/receipts)
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Foreign property reporting support (if you/your firm determine a filing is required)
F. Life events in 2025 (tell us if any occurred)
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Marriage / separation / divorce
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Birth/adoption / custody changes
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Sale/purchase of home, change of use (principal residence considerations)
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Large medical event, disability status change
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Death of spouse/dependant (if applicable)
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Bankruptcy, major settlements, legal payouts
G. After filing / CRA items
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Prior-year Notice of Assessment (NOA) and carryforward amounts
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Instalments (if CRA required instalments for 2026)
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Any CRA letters/reviews/audit requests
Records to keep: CRA guidance emphasizes keeping slips/receipts and supporting documents even when filing electronically.
NOTE: This checklist is developed after considering all the possible tax situations but it still may not be a final checklist for your tax situation.