Personal Tax Checklist for Ontario Residents
A practical checklist of the slips, receipts and records Ontario residents commonly gather before preparing a personal tax return.
The short answer: before preparing a personal return, gather your income slips, receipts for anything you plan to claim, last year's notice of assessment, and records for any self-employment or rental income. The exact list depends on what happened in your year.
Who this checklist is for
Individuals and families living in Ontario who file a personal income tax return, including people with self-employment income. If your situation changed this year (a new job, a move, a new child, a separation, a business started or closed), note it down first. Changes are where most missing documents come from.
1. Personal information
- Your social insurance number and date of birth (shared with your preparer securely, never by ordinary email or web form)
- Your spouse or common-law partner's details and approximate income, if applicable
- Dates of any change in marital status, and details of dependants
- Last year's notice of assessment, which shows carry-forward amounts and your RRSP deduction limit
- Direct deposit details, if they have changed
2. Income slips
Most slips are also available in your CRA My Account once employers and institutions file them.
- T4 from each employer
- T4A for pension, commissions, scholarships and certain other income
- T4E if you received Employment Insurance benefits
- T4A(P) and T4A(OAS) for CPP and Old Age Security
- T5, T3 and T5008 for investment income and sales of investments
- T4RSP or T4RIF for withdrawals from registered plans
- T5007 for social assistance or workers' compensation
3. Receipts for deductions and credits
Only claim what applies to you. The CRA's deductions, credits and expenses page lists them all.
- RRSP and FHSA contribution receipts
- Childcare expense receipts, with the provider's name and number
- Medical expense receipts for you and your family
- Charitable donation receipts
- Tuition slips (T2202) for post-secondary students
- Union or professional dues not already shown on your T4
- Moving expense records if you moved for work or full-time study
- Support payments made or received, with the agreement
4. Ontario-specific items
Ontario residents can apply for provincial credits and benefits through their return. Keep a record of the rent or property tax you paid for your principal residence during the year, which is used for the Ontario Trillium Benefit application. See the CRA's Province of Ontario page for the current programs.
5. Self-employment and rental income
- A summary of income received, with invoices or sales records
- Business expense receipts, grouped by category
- Vehicle log and fuel, insurance and repair costs, if you use a vehicle for work
- Home office details: total area of the home and the area used for work, plus utilities, rent or mortgage interest
- GST/HST records, if you are registered
- For rental property: rents received and expenses such as property tax, insurance, repairs and mortgage interest
Self-employed records come together much faster when the books are kept monthly. See what documents a bookkeeper needs each month.
What changes the answer
A first return in Canada, a death in the family, foreign income or property, a home sale, or a separation can all add documents and forms. Mention these at the start so nothing is missed.
Official sources
- All about your tax return (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Claiming deductions, credits and expenses (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Province of Ontario benefits and credits (Canada Revenue Agency)
This guide is general information for Canadian taxpayers and small businesses. It is not tax, legal or financial advice for your situation, and rules change. Check the official sources linked above or book a consultation before acting on it. See the full disclaimer.
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