Checklist: what to check before you file your tax return

Updated October 1, 2026 · Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team · How we check

You’ve entered everything and you’re one click from sending it. Take five minutes first, because most of the mistakes people fix later are small ones they could have caught here. Ever sent a form and then spotted a typo in your own name? That’s the kind of thing this list is for.

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Your details

• Name, address and Social Insurance Number all match what the CRA has on file.
• Marital status is right, and your spouse’s details are filled in if you have one.
• Bank details are correct, if you want a refund by direct deposit, because a wrong digit can delay it for weeks.

Your income

• Every T4, T4A, T5 and other slip you received is entered. You can check them against the list in your CRA My Account.
• Income without a slip, such as tips or side work, is on the return.
• Interest from savings accounts and GICs is reported, even when the amount is small and no slip came.
• Any foreign income is converted into Canadian dollars.

Your claims

This is the part where money is won or lost, so slow down, and don’t trust your memory when a receipt is in a drawer you could open in ten seconds.

• The RRSP deduction you claim is within the limit on last year’s notice of assessment.
• Carry-forward amounts, such as tuition, are entered.
• Receipts for donations, medical costs and child care are in a folder you can find.
• If you claim home office costs as an employee, your employer has signed Form T2200.

Payment and deadlines

• You know how much you owe, and you’ll pay it by April 30.
• You’ve saved the confirmation number after you send the return.
• You’ve kept a copy of the return and your receipts for six years.

Cutting it close is costly. The CRA’s late-filing penalty page adds 5% of your balance owing, plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months. Owe $1,000 and file two full months late, and that’s $70 before interest, a nasty hit at tax time.

What if you spot a mistake after you send it?

It happens, and it’s fixable. Wait for your notice of assessment, then use the “Change my return” service in your CRA account, ReFILE in certified tax software, or Form T1-ADJ by mail. Online requests take about two weeks and mail up to 19, says the CRA’s page on changing a tax return.

What next?

If something doesn’t look right, the filing guide has the steps, and the guide to dealing with the CRA explains what to do if a letter arrives. Estimate your result with the income tax calculator, and check the dates on the tax calendar.

Nothing here replaces a preparer’s advice. If your return is complicated, you’ll want a person who can see the whole picture, and we don’t prepare or file returns for you.

Done? Then send it.

Frequently asked questions

What if I find a mistake after I file?

You can ask the CRA to change your return. You usually don't need to file a new one.

How long do I keep my records?

Generally six years from the end of the tax year they relate to.

Do I have to pay by April 30 if I file late?

Yes, any tax you owe is due April 30, even if you have until June 15 to file.