2026 Tax Filing Checklist: Everything You Need Before April 30
Tax season in Canada can feel overwhelming, but with proper preparation, filing your 2025 tax return doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re filing as an individual or a small business owner in Ontario, having all your documents organized before sitting down with your accountant or tax software will save you time, money, and headaches.
At BBS Accounting, we’ve helped hundreds of Toronto-area clients navigate tax season smoothly. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to gather before the April 30, 2026 deadline (or June 16 if you’re self-employed).
Personal Information Documents
Before you begin, make sure you have the basic information for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and any dependents:
Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) for everyone on your return. Double-check these numbers for accuracy, as errors can delay your refund significantly.
Date of birth for all individuals listed on your return.
Banking information if you want your refund deposited directly. You’ll need your financial institution number, branch number, and account number. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund from the CRA, typically within 8-14 days for electronic filers.
Last year’s Notice of Assessment from the CRA. Your 2024 Notice of Assessment contains important information including your RRSP deduction limit and any carry-forward amounts.
Income Documents
One of the most critical steps is gathering all your income documentation. Missing even one slip can result in CRA notices or penalties.
T4 slips from each employer showing your employment income, CPP contributions, EI premiums, and income tax deducted. If you changed jobs during 2025, you should receive a T4 from each employer. These slips are typically available by the end of February 2026.
T4A slips for pension income, RRSP withdrawals, scholarships, or other types of income like CERB repayments if applicable.
T5 slips showing interest and dividend income from Canadian banks and other financial institutions.
T3 slips for income from Canadian mutual funds, trusts, or other investment income.
T5008 slips if you sold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments. This documents your proceeds of disposition for calculating capital gains and losses.
T4RSP slips for RRSP withdrawals you made during the year.
T4RIF slips if you received income from a Registered Retirement Income Fund.
T4E slips if you received Employment Insurance benefits.
T5007 slips if you received social assistance or workers’ compensation.
T4A(P) slips for Canada Pension Plan or Old Age Security benefits.
T4A(OAS) slips specifically for Old Age Security payments.
T2202 certificates (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) if you or your dependents attended college or university.
RC210 slips for Working Income Tax Benefit advance payments if applicable.
T5013 slips if you’re a partner in a partnership or member of a trust.
Cryptocurrency transaction records including all purchases, sales, exchanges, and receipts of cryptocurrency. The CRA requires reporting of all crypto activity as either business income or capital gains.
Foreign income including employment income, investment income, rental income, or pension income from outside Canada. This must be reported in Canadian dollars and you may be eligible for foreign tax credits.
Deduction and Credit Documents
Gathering your deduction and credit documentation is where you can really reduce your tax bill. Don’t leave money on the table by forgetting these important items.
RRSP contribution receipts for contributions made in 2025 or in the first 60 days of 2026 that you want to claim for 2025. Check your Notice of Assessment for your RRSP deduction limit.
Union or professional dues receipts – these are often shown on your T4 but keep separate receipts if you paid additional dues.
Charitable donation receipts for all donations to registered Canadian charities. You’ll need official receipts showing the charity’s registration number, donation amount, and date. There’s no minimum for claims, but donations over $200 qualify for a higher tax credit rate.
Medical expense receipts for you, your spouse, and dependent children. Eligible expenses include prescriptions, dental work, eye exams and glasses, medical devices, and many health practitioners’ fees. You can claim expenses exceeding 3% of your net income or $2,635, whichever is less.
Transit pass receipts if your municipality still offers this credit (largely eliminated but check your local situation).
Disability tax credit certificate (T2201) if you or a dependent has an approved disability claim.
Childcare expense receipts including the care provider’s SIN or business number, showing amounts paid for daycare, day camps, or caregivers that allowed you to work or attend school.
Moving expense receipts if you moved at least 40 kilometres closer to work or school. Keep all receipts for transportation, temporary lodging, meals, and costs of selling your old home and buying a new one.
Northern residents deductions documentation if you live in a prescribed northern zone.
Interest paid on student loans – must be on loans through the Canada Student Loans Program or similar provincial programs.
Tuition and education amounts from T2202 certificates, plus textbook receipts if applicable.
Ontario-Specific Credits and Benefits
As an Ontario resident, you have access to several provincial credits and benefits.
Ontario Trillium Benefit documentation – this combines energy costs, sales tax credit, and property tax. Keep your property tax bills or rent receipts showing what you paid.
Ontario Staycation Tax Credit receipts if claiming eligible 2025 Ontario accommodation expenses (check if this credit has been renewed for 2025).
Ontario Political contribution receipts if you donated to a registered Ontario political party.
Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit receipts if you’re 65+ and made eligible home modifications.
Ontario Child Care Tax Credit documentation if you have young children and paid for childcare not already claimed federally.
Self-Employed and Small Business Owner Documents
If you’re self-employed or own a small business, you’ll need extensive additional documentation. At BBS Accounting, we help many Toronto small business owners organize these records.
Business income records including all invoices issued, sales receipts, and revenue documentation. Keep copies of all T4As you’ve issued to contractors.
Business expense receipts organized by category: advertising, business tax and licenses, insurance, interest on business loans, office expenses, professional fees (legal, accounting), rent, repairs and maintenance, salaries and benefits, supplies, telephone and utilities, travel, and vehicle expenses.
Home office expense calculation if you work from home. You’ll need your home’s square footage, your office space square footage, and receipts for rent or the interest portion of your mortgage, property taxes, utilities, home insurance, and maintenance.
Vehicle expense log if you used your vehicle for business. The CRA requires a detailed log showing dates, destinations, business purposes, and kilometres driven. You can claim based on the business-use percentage of actual expenses (gas, insurance, repairs, lease payments) or use the simplified method.
Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) schedule for business assets like computers, equipment, furniture, and vehicles purchased in prior years. You’ll need purchase dates and costs.
HST/GST documentation if you’re registered. Keep all HST paid on business purchases as Input Tax Credits (ITCs) and records of HST collected on sales.
Accounts receivable and payable records showing what clients owe you and what you owe to suppliers at year-end if you use accrual accounting.
Business-use-of-home expenses form (T2125) details including the percentage of your home used for business.
Payroll records if you have employees, including T4s you’ve issued, ROEs, and records of CPP, EI, and income tax remittances.
Ontario Health Premium Documents
Your Ontario Health Premium is calculated based on your taxable income and is separate from your federal tax. It’s usually deducted from your paycheque and shown on your T4, but if you’re self-employed, you’ll pay it when you file.
Keep records of any health premium already paid through employment deductions to avoid overpayment.
Investment and Retirement Documents
RRSP contribution receipts for 2025 and the first 60 days of 2026 (contributions up to March 2, 2026 can be claimed for 2025).
TFSA transaction records – while TFSA withdrawals aren’t taxable, tracking your contribution room is important to avoid penalties. Over-contributions are penalized at 1% per month.
RESP contribution and withdrawal records if you have a Registered Education Savings Plan.
RDSP documentation if you contribute to or withdraw from a Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Capital gains and losses from investments – calculate your adjusted cost base (ACB) for any investments sold, including stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and real estate.
Real Estate and Rental Property Documents
Principal residence designation information if you sold your home in 2025. Even though your principal residence is usually tax-free, you must report the sale to the CRA.
Rental property income and expenses if you own rental properties. Keep records of rent collected, property management fees, repairs, maintenance, property taxes, insurance, mortgage interest, and utilities paid.
Land transfer tax receipts if you purchased property in Toronto or Ontario – these may qualify for the land transfer tax refund for first-time buyers.
Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) documentation if you withdrew from your RRSP to buy a home and need to track repayments.
Special Situations
Certain life events require additional documentation:
Separation or divorce agreement if your marital status changed in 2025, including any support payment arrangements.
Support payments made or received – keep detailed records including dates and amounts. Child support is not deductible or taxable, but spousal support is.
Adoption expense receipts if you adopted a child and are claiming the adoption expense credit.
First-time home buyer documentation if you purchased your first home and are claiming the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit.
Disability supports deduction receipts for attendant care, sign language services, or other disability-related work expenses.
Climate Action Incentive – Ontario residents automatically receive this quarterly, but it’s good to track for records.
Documents for Newcomers and Non-Residents
Immigration documents showing your arrival date if you became a Canadian resident in 2025.
Foreign tax slips and receipts for foreign taxes paid if you’re claiming foreign tax credits.
Treaty exemption documentation if you’re claiming tax treaty benefits.
Organization Tips
Create a simple filing system with labeled folders for each category. Use one folder or envelope for each type of slip and receipt.
As tax documents arrive in February and March, immediately place them in your designated location. Don’t leave them with regular mail where they can get lost.
Create a checklist specific to your situation listing every slip and receipt you expect. Check items off as they arrive to identify anything missing.
Make digital copies of everything. Scan or photograph receipts and store them securely in cloud storage or on your computer. Thermal receipts fade over time, so digitizing is essential.
Use accounting software or apps throughout the year to track business expenses in real-time rather than reconstructing everything at year-end.
What If You’re Missing Documents?
If you’re missing a slip, check your CRA My Account online. Many slips are available digitally before physical copies arrive. Employers and financial institutions must file with the CRA, so the information should appear in your account.
If a slip doesn’t appear or you need a duplicate, contact the issuer directly. Most can provide replacements quickly.
For lost receipts, check email confirmations, credit card or bank statements, or contact the vendor for duplicate receipts.
Important Deadlines
April 30, 2026 is the deadline for most Canadians to file their 2025 tax return and pay any balance owing.
June 16, 2026 is the deadline if you or your spouse/common-law partner are self-employed. However, any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.
March 2, 2026 is the deadline for RRSP contributions that you want to deduct for 2025.
Using Professional Help
At BBS Accounting in Toronto, we recommend working with a professional accountant if you’re self-employed, have rental properties, have complex investments, experienced major life changes like marriage or divorce, earned foreign income, or simply want peace of mind that your return is optimized and compliant.
Our team stays current on all federal and Ontario tax changes and can identify deductions and credits you might miss on your own. The cost of professional accounting services is tax-deductible for business owners, making it even more affordable.
Digital Filing Benefits
File electronically through EFILE or NETFILE for faster processing. The CRA processes electronic returns much faster than paper returns.
Sign up for direct deposit to receive your refund in 8-14 days rather than waiting weeks for a cheque.
Register for CRA My Account to access your tax information online, view your Notice of Assessment immediately, and track your refund status.
Final Checklist Before Filing
Before you submit your return, verify that you:
- Have all expected T-slips and receipts
- Verified all SINs are correct
- Included all income sources
- Maximized all available deductions and credits
- Claimed RRSP contributions correctly
- Reported foreign income if applicable
- Signed and dated your return (or provided digital authorization)
- Made copies of your complete return
- Chosen direct deposit for faster refund
Start Now, File Confidently
The key to stress-free tax filing is starting early. Don’t wait until April to begin gathering documents. As tax slips arrive in February and March, add them to your organized file immediately.
With this comprehensive checklist in hand, you’re well-equipped to tackle your 2026 tax filing with confidence. At BBS Accounting, we’re here to help Toronto and Ontario residents navigate tax season successfully. Whether you need full-service tax preparation or just have questions about your specific situation, our experienced team is ready to assist.
Contact BBS Accounting today to schedule your tax preparation appointment and ensure you’re maximizing your refund while staying fully compliant with CRA requirements.
