Small habits that make tax time easier
Our mission is to help Edmontonians claim every eligible deduction and expense they're entitled to but often miss through lack of awareness. Most missed claims aren't complicated – they're simply forgotten, or the receipt never made it out of a drawer.
The tips below are general information that applies to many Canadians. Every situation is different, so treat them as a starting point, and we'll confirm what applies to you when you come in. As our brochure says, “The difference between Accountants is how they care for their Clients,” and for us that includes helping you understand your own taxes.
We also share tax tips and reminders on our Facebook page at facebook.com/TrehanTax – follow along so the next deadline doesn't sneak up on you.
Know the key dates
Put these dates in your calendar now – they're the ones that matter most for personal returns.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| End of February | Employers must issue T4 slips and file the T4 Summary by the last day of February, so most employees have their T4 by then. |
| Around March 1 | RRSP contribution deadline – 60 days after the end of the year – for contributions you want to deduct on the previous year's return. |
| April 30 | Filing deadline for most personal returns, and the payment deadline for any balance owing – including for the self-employed. |
| June 15 | Filing deadline if you or your spouse or common-law partner carried on a business. Any balance owing is still due April 30. |
| Weekends and holidays | If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. |
| After your assessment | Generally 90 days from your Notice of Assessment, or one year from the filing deadline for individuals, whichever is later, to file a Notice of Objection. |
Deductions and credits people often miss
Ask yourself whether any of these apply to you – each one is easy to overlook.
Child care expenses
Daycare, babysitting, preschool registration and fees, and the cost of finding a private babysitter can all be eligible. Keep receipts that show who you paid.
Medical – including travel insurance
Prescriptions, dental work, glasses and premiums for medical insurance through your employer can count – and so can travel medical insurance for trips outside Canada.
Moving expenses
If you moved at least 40 km closer to a new job, business or full-time post-secondary school, costs such as moving your household and selling your old home may be deductible.
Tuition carried forward
Tuition is shown on your T2202 slip, and amounts you couldn't use in earlier years can be carried forward. Bring past notices of assessment so nothing is left unclaimed.
Student loan interest
Interest you paid on a government student loan can qualify for a credit. Interest on a personal line of credit or bank loan used for school does not.
Pension income splitting
Couples can split up to half of eligible pension income using form T1032, which can lower the household's overall tax depending on your situation.
More claims worth asking about
These come straight from our Personal Tax Return Checklist – tick any that apply when you book.
Family and caregiving
- Disability tax credit (form T2201, certified by a medical practitioner)
- Family caregiver amount for an infirm dependant
- Home accessibility expenses
- Multi-generational home renovation
- Eligible dependant (child, parent or grandparent)
- Adoption expenses
Work and trades
- Union and professional dues
- School supply credit for teachers
- Tools for tradespeople
- Long-haul truck drivers' meals and lodging (form TL2)
- Employment expenses (T777, with a signed T2200)
- Labour mobility deduction for tradespeople
Everyday extras
- Donations and political contributions
- Digital news subscriptions
- Volunteer firefighter or search and rescue
- Northern residents deduction (T2222)
- Investment loan interest
- First-time home buyer amount
Keep your records for six years
Keep your tax records and receipts for six years from the end of the tax year they relate to. The CRA can ask for supporting documents through processing reviews and matching programs after your return is assessed, and having them ready turns a stressful letter into a quick reply.
Paper or digital both work – what matters is that you can find them. A simple folder for each year, with slips, receipts and your Notice of Assessment together, is all most people need. If you drive for business, keep a kilometre logbook, because vehicle expenses are claimed based on business-use percentage.
- All income slips and summaries
- Receipts for every deduction and credit claimed
- Your Notice of Assessment for each year
- A kilometre logbook if you use a vehicle for business
- A signed T2200 if you claim employment expenses
Sign up for CRA My Account
CRA My Account lets you see your notices of assessment, tax slips, RRSP deduction room and benefit payments in one place. It's the easiest way to check whether a slip has been issued, confirm your RRSP room before the contribution deadline, or see when your next benefit payment is due.
It also helps you spot problems early. If a slip shows up that you don't recognize or a benefit payment stops, you'll know right away instead of finding out months later. Bring anything that looks unfamiliar to us and we'll help you sort it out.
File on time – even if you can't pay
If you owe and can't pay right away, file anyway. The CRA's late-filing penalty is 5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month the return is late, up to 12 months – and interest is charged on unpaid balances on top of that. Filing on time avoids the penalty even if the payment comes later.
Filing on time also keeps your benefit and credit payments flowing. Payments like the Canada child benefit and the GST/HST credit depend on your return being filed, so a late or missing return can delay money you're entitled to. And remember that the June 15 filing deadline for self-employed people doesn't change the April 30 payment date.
If you're behind on more than one year, don't let it snowball. Come in with what you have and we'll help you work out what's needed to get caught up.
Newcomers and students: file to receive benefits
If you're new to Canada or a student with little or no income, it can seem pointless to file a return. In many cases it's the opposite. Filing is how you access benefit and credit payments such as the GST/HST credit and, for families, the Canada child benefit.
Students have another reason to file: tuition shown on your T2202 slip creates amounts that can be carried forward to future years when you're earning more. Filing each year keeps that record up to date. Newcomers usually need some extra information on their first return, and we'll walk you through it.
- File even if you had little or no income
- Filing keeps benefit and credit payments flowing
- Carry forward unused tuition amounts
- Only government student loan interest qualifies
- Bring your spouse's information for family benefits
More habits that pay off
A few final tips – from avoiding scams to checking your assessment.
Spot CRA scams
The CRA will never demand payment by gift cards, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency, or threaten you with arrest. If a call or text does, it's a scam – hang up and check CRA My Account or call us.
Review your Notice of Assessment
Compare it with the return you filed. If you disagree, you generally have 90 days from the notice date, or one year from the filing deadline for individuals, whichever is later, to object.
Pick the best 12 months of medical
Medical expenses can be claimed for any 12-month period ending in the tax year, so choosing the right window can help when large bills straddle two years.
Bring your December pay stub
If you pay for medical insurance through your employer, your December pay stub can show the year's premiums – a claim that's easy to forget.
Think about RRSP and FHSA early
Check your RRSP room in My Account before the deadline. If you're saving for a first home, ask us about the First Home Savings Account, available since 2023.
Follow us on Facebook
We share tax tips and reminders on our Facebook page at facebook.com/TrehanTax – an easy way to keep the next deadline on your radar.