Personal Tax Return Frequently Asked Questions

Most Canadian residents should file every year, even with little or no income. Filing is what keeps benefits such as the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit flowing, and it builds RRSP room.

Income slips (T4, T4A, T5, T3, T2202), RRSP and FHSA receipts, medical, donation, childcare and tuition receipts, rental or self-employment summaries, and last year's Notice of Assessment.

Yes. Documents can be submitted through our secure intake form and returns are reviewed, signed and e-filed remotely — no office visit required.

My Account shows your slips, benefit payments, RRSP room and assessments, and it makes direct deposit and address updates simple.

Authorized representative access lets us view your slips and assessments and speak with the CRA on your behalf. It does not give us the ability to change your banking details.

Complete the intake form or book an appointment. Once we have your complete documents, most personal returns are prepared within a few business days.

Direct deposit can be set up in CRA My Account or through your bank's online portal — it is the fastest way to receive refunds and benefits.

If you owe more than $3,000 in net tax in the current year and either of the two prior years, the CRA generally asks for quarterly instalments.

Reasonable business expenses such as supplies, advertising, professional fees, business-use-of-home, vehicle costs and applicable capital cost allowance.

April 30 for filing and payment. Self-employed individuals and their spouses have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30.

The CRA charges a late-filing penalty on any balance owing plus compound daily interest, and benefit payments can be interrupted.

We can bring you current and, where appropriate, apply through the Voluntary Disclosures Program to reduce penalties.

Contributions made in the first 60 days of the year (usually to March 1) can be applied to the prior tax year.

Most slips are visible in CRA My Account. If one is missing, we can still file using your records and adjust later if needed.

The CRA's summary of your assessed return: refund or balance owing, RRSP room and carry-forward amounts. Keep it for the following year.

Update it in CRA My Account or let us know — an out-of-date address can delay refunds, benefits and CRA correspondence.

If the total cost of your specified foreign property exceeded $100,000 CAD at any point in the year, a T1135 is required with your return.

You generally file based on your province of residence on December 31, which determines the provincial tax rates and credits that apply.

A review is not an audit. Send the letter to us and we will assemble the supporting documents and respond before the deadline.

UHT applies mainly to non-resident and certain corporate, partnership and trust owners of residential property. We can confirm whether a return is required for you.

CCB is paid monthly and the GST/HST credit quarterly. Neither is taxable, but both are recalculated each July based on your filed return.

Moving expenses, medical expenses, union and professional dues, childcare, tuition transfers, employment expenses with a signed T2200, and digital news or donation credits.

Mortgage interest, property tax, insurance, utilities, repairs, condo fees, advertising, property management and a portion of capital cost allowance where appropriate.

RRSP contributions are deductible and withdrawals are taxable; TFSA contributions are not deductible but growth and withdrawals are tax-free.

A registered account for first-time home buyers combining an RRSP-style deduction with TFSA-style tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying home purchase.

Capital gains are partially taxable and arise from investment activity; frequent trading or flipping can be treated as fully taxable business income.

You may realize a capital gain plus recapture of previously claimed capital cost allowance. Planning before you sell can reduce the surprise.

Yes, if you became a resident of Canada during the year. Filing establishes your benefit eligibility and RRSP room.

Once you have a SIN and the CRA has processed your first return or benefit application.

RRSP room is generated by earned income reported on a Canadian return, so contributions usually start the year after your first filed return.

We handle first-year returns, benefit applications, world income reporting and residency questions, and explain the Canadian system in plain language.

Benefit amounts are based on family income for the full year, including income earned before you arrived in Canada.

Newcomers apply using the CRA's benefit application forms; after the first year, benefits renew automatically when you file.

Through CRA My Account, by phone, or we can update it for you as your authorized representative.

Residents with specified foreign property costing over $100,000 CAD must file a T1135. Newcomers are exempt in their first year of residency.