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For your first meeting with an accountant in Canada, bring photo ID, your last two or three tax returns with the notices of assessment, this year’s income slips, and proof of anything you plan to claim. The CRA says to keep tax records for at least six years, so most of this should already be somewhere in your drawer or your online account.
What to bring if you’re an employee
Start with the slips: T4s from each employer, plus any T5 for interest or dividends and the T4A for other income. Add receipts for anything you’ll claim, such as tuition, medical costs, donations and child care. Bring your last returns and the notices of assessment or reassessment, because they show carry-forward amounts your accountant can’t guess.
If you’ve had letters from the CRA, bring them. Even old ones. They save the accountant a phone call and you a bill.
What to bring if you run a business
The list grows. The CRA’s business records page describes income records, such as sales invoices, cash register tapes, receipts, bank deposit slips and contracts. On the expense side it lists receipts showing the date, the seller, the buyer and a full description of what was bought. If a receipt is missing, bring your expense journal.
Add bank and card statements for the year, your GST/HST filings if you’re registered, payroll records if you have staff, and a note of any big purchases, since those affect capital cost allowance. Keep the business and personal folders apart.
A quick checklist
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and SIN | The accountant has to know who you are and file under the right number |
| Last returns and notices of assessment | Show carry-forward amounts and past filing |
| T4, T5, T4A and other slips | Your reported income |
| Receipts for claims | Support for deductions and credits |
| Business invoices, receipts, bank statements | Income and expenses for the year |
| CRA letters | Open issues, instalment requests, reviews |
Why does the paperwork change the bill?
Because missing proof turns into lost deductions. Take an Ontario sole proprietor with $80,000 of net business income. The self-employed tax calculator shows $22,126 of income tax and CPP. If $2,000 of expenses were recorded, income would be $78,000 and the figure drops to $21,421, a gap of $705.
That tool leaves out GST/HST and EI, so it isn’t your return. But it shows why the shoebox matters. For a rough idea of where you stand before the meeting, run your salary through the income tax calculator. If you’re expecting money back, the tax refund calculator gives an estimate to compare with what the accountant finds.
What should you write down before you go?
A page of questions helps more than another folder. Did your job, marital status or address change? Did you sell a property or shares, start a side business, work from home or buy a vehicle? Any of these can change the return, and people forget them in the room.
Ask how the accountant wants documents delivered, and how long they’ll keep them. And ask for a written quote. We couldn’t confirm what accountants usually charge, so don’t assume a number.
Mistakes people make
Handing over everything without sorting it is the common one, and it usually costs more. Sort by year and by type. Another is holding back something awkward, like unreported income or a late filing. The accountant needs the truth to fix it.
Don’t send originals when a copy will do. And don’t throw out old records after the meeting. The CRA says not to send records with your return, but to keep them in case it asks. Destroying them early without permission can lead to prosecution.
Where the numbers come from
The record types and retention period come from the Canada Revenue Agency’s guidance for individuals and for business records. The example is worked from our tools on 2026 rates. This site is independent of the CRA and every other government body.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does an accountant need for my tax return?
Your income slips, last returns and notices of assessment, receipts for claims, and ID. Business owners add invoices, expense receipts and bank statements.
Do I need to bring original receipts?
Bring copies if you can and keep the originals. The CRA says to keep records for at least six years.
What if I've lost some receipts?
Say so, and bring an expense journal or bank statements. They're weaker than receipts, but better than nothing.
Should I mention a late or missed filing?
Yes. The accountant can only fix what they know about.
How much will the first meeting cost?
We couldn't confirm typical fees. Ask for a written quote before you go.
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Information only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns or offer tax services, and we have no connection with the CRA, Revenu Québec, any government or any company named on this page. Check the figures that matter with an official source or a qualified professional.