2023 Canada Tax Checklist: What Documents Do I Need to File My Taxes?

To read more chapters, click below:

Chapter 1: Self-employed tax prep checklist in Canada

Chapter 2: Canada Tax Checklist

The one thing that can help you with tax filing is keeping all your documents ready. A lot of times people get confused as to which documents are required and at the time of filing their tax, they find some documents are missing. In this chapter we’ll list all the documents that you should keep handy at the time of filing your tax.

Points to remember –

• To ensure you have a well-documented record of your expenses throughout the tax year, it's advisable to retain supporting documents like receipts and, if you are self-employed, invoices.
• To streamline and enhance the accuracy of your tax filing, consider registering for CRA My Account.
• The CRA mandates the retention of specific forms and receipts based on your individual circumstances and the nature of your income.

Enroll in CRA My Account, a valuable tool for monitoring your refund status, outstanding balances, RRSP & TFSA contribution room, and for keeping the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) informed about any updates to your personal information.

Documents needed to file your taxes in Canada

1. Personal information

Here is the personal information you'll need for your tax return –

• Social Insurance Numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any eligible dependents
• Dates of birth for all family members
• Net income figures for your spouse and any eligible dependents if you're claiming credits like the Canada Caregiver Amount, among others
• The sum of installment payments made to the CRA
• Notice of Assessments from your previous year's tax return
• Your NETFILE access code

2. Income slips

The specific forms you may need to fill out can vary depending on the nature of your income. Here is a list based on different income types –

1. Employment

• T4 Statement of Remuneration Paid
• RL-1 Employment and other income (QC only)

2. Self-employment

• T4002 Self-employed Business, Professional, Commission, Farming, and Fishing Income
• T5013 Statement of Partnership Income

3. Savings and installments

• T5 Statement of Investment Income
• T3 Statement of Trust Income Allocations and Designations
• T5008 Statement of Securities Transactions

4. Retirement

• T4A Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income
• T4A(P) Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• T4A(OAS) Statement of Old Age Security
• T4RSP Statement of RRSP Income
• T4RIF Statement of income from a Registered Retirement Income Fund

5. Social Benefits and Employment Insurance

• T4E Statement of Employment Insurance and Other Benefits
• T5007 Statement of Benefits – Workers Compensation or Social Assistance benefits
• T4A COVID-19 Benefits received – CERB, CRB, CRCB, etc.

3. Expense Receipts for credits and deductions

The CRA provides numerous tax credits and deductions for eligible individuals to lower their tax liabilities. It's crucial to maintain proper documentation, including receipts, bank records, and other supporting documents, throughout the year as evidence of your expenses.

Below, you'll find a list of typical receipts that you should have readily available when you begin preparing your 2022 tax return –

1. Work related expenses

• T2200 Employment expenses (signed by your employer)
• 0In-home office expenses
• Tool expenses
• Union dues not included on your T4 slip

2. For families

• Childcare expenses
• Adoption expenses
• Support payments made

3. For landlords and homeowners

• Capital cost Allowance (CCA)
• Home accessibility expenses
• Moving expenses

4. For students

• Tuition slips
• Student loan interest amounts

5. Other common expenses

• Charitable donations
• Medical expenses
• Personal attendant/ facility care expenses
• Political contributions
• Exams for professional certifications
• Digital News subscription expenses
• Receipts for classroom/ school supplies (teachers and early childhood educators)

4. Other documents

It is essential to retain tax records from prior years, as you might require certain details from these documents when you file your taxes for the current year.

• Last year’s notice of assessment from the CRA
• Tuition carry forward amounts
• RRSP deduction limit and unused amounts
• Loss carry forward amounts
• Other carry forward amounts (business-use-of home, donations, etc.)
• Other CRA correspondence

Maintaining organization and ensuring you have all necessary documents readily available is crucial when initiating the tax filing process.