What Do I Need for Personal Tax Filing?
Complete 2025 Tax Year Checklist (Canada)
If you’re wondering, what do I need for personal tax filing, you’re not alone. Every year, individuals across Canada scramble at the last minute to gather documents for their accountant — often missing important slips and receipts that could delay filing or reduce potential refunds. Preparing early makes the entire process smoother, more accurate, and far less stressful. Whether you’re filing your personal taxes for 2025 or planning ahead, this complete checklist will help you stay organized.
If you’re searching for help filing your personal taxes in Calgary, having a local accountant who understands Alberta tax considerations can make the process much smoother. Our team works with individuals throughout Calgary and surrounding Alberta communities to simplify tax season every year.
Why Gathering the Right Documents Matters
When filing your personal taxes in Canada, having complete documentation helps ensure accurate income reporting and that all eligible deductions and credits are properly claimed. It also allows for faster filing and refund processing, reduces the risk of CRA reassessments, and supports better tax planning for the year ahead. Missing even one tax slip can result in delays, potential penalties, or the need to amend your return later.
What Do I Need for Personal Tax Filing? Complete 2025 Checklist (Canada)
Below is a comprehensive list of documents needed for personal taxes in Canada.
1) Income Documents (T-Slips & Other Income)
Gather all sources of income earned during the year:
Employment Income
- T4 – Statement of Employment Income
- T4A – Other income (commission, contract, etc.)
- T4E – Employment Insurance benefits
- T4A(P) – CPP benefits
- T4A(OAS) – Old Age Security
You can log into your CRA account to download any documents submitted to CRA by the Government of Canada, or your employer.
Self-Employment or Contract Income
- Summary of income earned
- Invoices issued
- Expense receipts
- Business use of home calculations
- Vehicle mileage log
Investment Income
- T5 – Interest and dividend income
- T3 – Trust income
- Capital gains statements
- Crypto trading summaries
- Foreign income statements
Rental Income
- Rental income summary
- Property expenses
- Mortgage interest summary
- Property tax receipts
- Insurance statements
2) Deduction & Credit Documentation
To reduce your taxable income, gather:
- RRSP contribution receipts
- FHSA contributions
- Union/professional dues
- Childcare expense receipts
- Medical expenses (eligible receipts)
- Charitable donation receipts
- Tuition slips (T2202)
- Moving expense receipts
- Disability tax credit documentation (if applicable)
3) Family & Personal Situation Changes
Your accountant should also know about:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Separation
- Death in the family
- Change of address
- Residency changes (moved provinces)
These changes may affect credits, benefits, or income splitting strategies.
4) Homeowners & Real Estate
If you bought, sold, or owned property in 2025:
- Purchase/sale agreements
- Property tax statement
- Legal closing documents
- Principal residence details
- Rental conversion info
If you sold your principal residence, it still needs to be reported.
5) Students
Students filing personal taxes in Canada should gather:
- T2202 tuition slip
- T4A scholarship income
- Rent receipts (for provincial credits)
- Student loan interest statements
Unused tuition credits may transfer to parents or carry forward.
6) Seniors & Retirement Income
- RRIF statements
- Pension income slips
- OAS and CPP slips
- Pension income splitting documentation
7) If You’re Unsure — Bring It Anyway
When asking “what do I need for personal tax filing,” the safest approach is:
When in doubt, include it.
Your accountant can determine relevance, but missing information may delay or affect your return.
Common Situations People Forget to Mention
Many clients forget to share important details that can significantly impact their return, such as side hustle income, e-transfer sales, payment platform income through Stripe, PayPal, or Square, child support received or paid, work-from-home expenses, and even investment losses. These details matter more than many people realize and can affect both the accuracy of your filing and your overall tax outcome.
FAQ: What Do I Need for Personal Tax Filing?
Do I need last year’s Notice of Assessment?
Yes — it helps confirm carryforward amounts like RRSP room and tuition credits.
What if I’m missing a tax slip?
Your accountant can often access it through CRA, but early preparation avoids delays. If you’re unsure whether CRA has issued all your slips, we can help with CRA account management.
Can I file without receipts?
You can, but you risk reassessment if CRA requests proof.
When should I start preparing for 2025 personal taxes?
Start organizing documents by January — most slips are issued by late February.
When Does E-File and NetFile open for 2026 tax season?
NETFILE and EFILE services for the 2026 tax season (for 2025 personal taxes Canada) officially open on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Although you can prepare your return in advance, it cannot be officially submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) until the system opens.
What is the personal tax filing deadline for 2025 tax returns?
The filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2026. Filing by this date helps avoid interest and potential late-filing penalties.
What is the deadline for self-employed individuals?
If you or your spouse/common-law partner are self-employed, the filing deadline is June 15, 2026. However, any taxes owing must still be paid by April 30, 2026, to avoid interest charges.
When does the CRA stop accepting 2025 tax returns?
The CRA’s system for filing 2025 personal tax returns will remain open until late January 2027, after which it will temporarily close to prepare for the next filing season.
Filing My Personal Taxes in Canada — Next Steps
Now that you know what documents are needed for personal taxes, the next step is organizing them clearly and securely.
At White Raven Accounting & Bookkeeping, we help individuals across Calgary and Alberta file their personal taxes accurately and confidently. Our CPA-led team ensures every eligible credit is claimed and every detail is properly reported. Learn more about our CPA-led approach.
Ready to File Your 2025 Personal Taxes?
If you’re still asking yourself, what do I need for personal tax filing, we’re here to make the process straightforward and stress-free.
Book your consultation today and let our experienced team guide you through the process.
