What the client is asked for.
“Everything we need to prepare your personal income tax return.” is the line your client sees at the top of the checklist. Every item below can be edited once you copy it.
| # | Document | Accepts | Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | |||
| 1 | Photo IDA driver’s licence or passport. Photo of the front is fine. | PDF, Photo · up to 2 | Required |
| 2 | Notice of assessment (last year)Download it from CRA My Account, or send a photo of the paper copy. | PDF, Photo · up to 2 | Required |
| Income | |||
| 3 | T4 slipsOne from every employer you had this year. | PDF, Photo · up to 10 | Required |
| 4 | T5 / investment slipsInterest, dividends and other investment income (T5, T3, T5008). | PDF, Photo · up to 10 | Optional |
| 5 | Self-employment incomeA summary of income and expenses, or your bookkeeping export. | PDF, Word / Excel · up to 10 | Optional |
| Deductions and credits | |||
| 6 | RRSP contribution receiptsContributions from March of last year to March of this year. | PDF, Photo · up to 10 | Optional |
| 7 | Medical expense receipts | PDF, Photo · up to 20 | Optional |
| 8 | Donation receipts | PDF, Photo · up to 20 | Optional |
| 9 | Childcare receipts | PDF, Photo · up to 10 | Optional |
When to use it.
Send this checklist to each personal tax client at the start of the season. Required items cover identity and employment income; deductions and credits are optional, so clients skip what does not apply to them.
Photo ID asks for the expiry date, so next year you can see whether the ID on file is still valid before asking again.
Personal tax return (T1): questions and answers
What documents are needed for a T1 personal tax return?
This checklist asks for photo ID, last year’s notice of assessment and T4 slips from every employer, plus optional T5 and investment slips, self-employment income, RRSP contribution receipts, and medical, donation and childcare receipts.
Can I change the checklist?
Yes. “Use this” makes your own copy. Add, remove or reword any item, change which are required, and save it as your firm’s version.
More templates.
Your next client is the last item on the list.
Copy this checklist into your firm, change what you need, and send it to your first client.