Why a checklist makes tax time easier
Most missed deductions aren't missed because people don't qualify. They're missed because a receipt stayed in a drawer or nobody asked the right question. Our mission is to help Edmontonians claim every eligible deduction and expense they're entitled to but often miss through lack of awareness, and a good checklist is where that starts.
This guide walks through the Personal Tax Return Documents Checklist from our brochure. We explain what each slip is, why we ask for it and how the deductions are grouped, so you can gather your paperwork once instead of making a second trip.
If you prefer paper, the checklist is available as a printable brochure PDF you can tick off at home. There's also an interactive version: the Personal Tax Return Checklist under Contact lets you tick the items that apply, and your ticked list is attached to your personal tax appointment booking so our team knows what to expect before you arrive.
You won't need every item. Most people only need a handful. If you're unsure about something, bring it anyway and we'll confirm whether it belongs on your return.
Personal, spousal and dependant information
We need basic details for you, your spouse or common-law partner and anyone living with you who depends on you, because many credits and benefits are calculated on family income.
You and your spouse or common-law partner
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
Dependants living with you (children, parents or grandparents)
- SIN
- Name
- Date of birth
- Relationship to you
Income slips and what each one reports
Bring every slip you received for the tax year; here's a plain-language guide to what each one covers.
| Slip | What it reports |
|---|---|
| T4 | Employment income from an employer, along with the income tax, CPP and EI deducted from your pay. |
| T4A | Pension, retirement, annuity and other income, such as certain fees for services or scholarships. |
| T4E | Employment Insurance and certain other benefits paid to you, including any tax withheld. |
| T4RSP | Money withdrawn from a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), plus the tax withheld at the time. |
| T4A(P) | Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, such as retirement, disability or survivor benefits. |
| T4A(OAS) | Old Age Security (OAS) pension payments received during the year. |
| T4RIF | Income from a registered retirement income fund (RRIF), usually the regular payments after an RRSP is converted. |
| T5007 | Social assistance payments or workers' compensation benefits. |
| T5008 | Securities transactions, such as proceeds from selling shares, bonds or other investments. |
| T3 | Income allocated to you from a trust, most commonly a mutual fund held outside a registered plan. |
| T5 | Investment income such as interest and dividends paid by banks and corporations. |
| T5013 | Your share of income or loss from a partnership. |
Other income to report
Not all income arrives on a slip. Rental properties, investment sales, self-employment and support payments need their own records, and this is where good paperwork makes the biggest difference.
Rental income and expenses are reported on form T776, so bring rent received plus costs such as property tax, insurance, repairs and mortgage interest. If you sold shares or real property, bring the sale details and what you originally paid, including the costs of buying and selling.
If you're self-employed and not incorporated, business income and expenses go on form T2125. Bring income records, receipts and a kilometre logbook if you use a vehicle for work, since vehicle costs are claimed based on business-use percentage. Spousal support you received is reported too, so bring the amounts and your agreement or order if we haven't seen it before.
- Rental income & expenses (T776)
- Capital gain/loss from shares or real property
- Self-employed income & expenses (T2125)
- Spousal support payments received
Deductions: family, medical, disability and caregiving
These are the items families and caregivers most often forget, so it's worth checking each one.
Family & childcare
- Child day care / baby sitting expenses
- Expenses to find a private baby sitter
- Children's school lunch fees
- Children's preschool registration and fees
- Eligible dependant (child, parent or grandparent)
- Adoption expenses
Medical (bring your December pay stub)
- Medical insurance with your employer
- Travel insurance to visit outside Canada
- Medical expenses outside Canada, including travel
- Medical expenses for surrogacy
- Medical expenses for IVF treatment
Disability & caregiving
- T2201 Disability tax credit
- Home accessibility expenses for disabled people
- Family caregiver amount for an infirm dependant
Deductions: home, moving and education
Buying a home, moving for work or school and paying tuition can all reduce your tax.
Home
- First-time home buyer amount
- Multi-generational home renovation
Moving (employment or full-time study)
- Personal travel and household moving
- Realtor commission on sale of old house
- Repairs to old house for sale
- Legal fees on sale of old house
- Legal fees on purchase of new house
- Vehicle inspection & registration in new province
Education
- T2202A / T2202 tuition fee receipt
- TL11A tuition fee outside Canada
- Previous years' tuition carried forward
- Student loan interest
Deductions: work, trades, pension, investment and legal
Work-related costs, retirement savings and certain legal fees are often deductible but easy to overlook.
Work & trades
- Professional dues
- Professional liability insurance
- T2200 employment expenses (T777)
- School supply credit for teachers
- Long-haul truck driver's meal expenses (TL2)
- Tools for tradespeople
- Labour mobility deduction for tradespeople
Pension & investment
- RRSP contribution receipts
- Split pension income with spouse (T1032)
- Investment loan interest
Legal & repayments
- Spousal support payments made
- Legal fees to collect a retiring allowance, pension, salary or wages
- Legal fees to collect or increase support payments
- Legal fees to appeal a tax assessment
- Repayments of wage loss benefits, salary or wages, or prior-year CPP benefits
Other credits worth asking about
These don't fit neatly into one category, but each can reduce your tax if it applies.
Other
- Donation receipts
- Federal and provincial political contributions
- Northern residents deduction (T2222)
- Air quality improvement
- Digital news subscription expenses
- Volunteer firefighter / search & rescue
How some of these rules work in general
Medical expenses can be claimed for any 12-month period ending in the tax year, so the best window isn't always January to December. That's why we ask for all your medical receipts and your December pay stub, which usually shows what you paid toward employer health or dental premiums during the year.
Moving expenses can be deductible if you moved at least 40 km closer to a new job, business or full-time post-secondary school. Keep receipts for the move and for selling your old home and buying the new one, and we'll confirm which costs qualify.
Employees can claim certain employment expenses on form T777 only if the employer signs form T2200 (or T2200S). If you pay your own work costs, ask your employer for the signed form before your appointment.
Tuition appears on the T2202 slip, which replaced the T2202A, and unused tuition amounts can be carried forward. Only interest on government student loans qualifies for the student loan interest credit. Seniors may be able to split up to half of eligible pension income with a spouse using form T1032, and the disability tax credit requires form T2201 certified by a medical practitioner.