Personal Tax (T1) Organizer & Checklist for Families
Everything You Need to Prepare Your Personal Return, Maximize Credits, and Avoid Delays
Preparing your T1 personal income tax return doesn’t have to be stressful. At Sunrise Chartered Professional Accountant, we help individuals and families across Winnipeg and Manitoba stay organized, claim every eligible credit, and file accurately to avoid costly delays or reassessments.
This guide outlines what you’ll need to gather before filing your return and the most common deductions and credits available to Canadian taxpayers.
Key Tax Deadlines
- Filing Deadline (Individuals): April 30 of each year
- Filing Deadline (Self-Employed): June 15, but any balance owing must still be paid by April 30
- RRSP Contribution Deadline: 60 days after December 31 (usually March 1 or 2)
Filing early helps avoid last-minute issues and ensures you receive refunds, benefits, and tax credits without delays.
Personal Tax Organizer – Documents to Collect
Identification & Information
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) for all family members
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) from last year
- Address, marital status, and dependent information
Property & Investments
- Capital gains or losses (real estate, stocks, crypto, etc.)
- Investment management or interest expenses
- Rental property statements and receipts
- Details of new property purchases or sales
Employment & Income Slips
- T4 (Employment income)
- T4A (Pension, self-employment, or commission income)
- T5/T3 (Investment income, dividends, or trust income)
- T5007 (Social assistance or workers’ compensation)
- Rental income and expense summaries
- Self-employed or side business income statements
Deductions & Tax Credits
- RRSP contribution receipts
- Childcare and daycare expenses
- Tuition, education, and student loan interest
- Medical and dental expenses (keep all receipts)
- Charitable donations
- Union/professional dues and employment expenses
- Home office expense details (if applicable)
- Moving expenses for work or education
- Disability tax credit certificate (T2201) if applicable
Family & Support Credits
- Child tax benefit or Canada Child Benefit (CCB) updates
- Spousal support or child support payments
- Adoption, caregiver, or infirm dependent expenses
Maximize Your Family Tax Benefits
Families can often reduce their total tax payable by coordinating income, credits, and deductions between spouses and dependents. Common tax-saving strategies include:
- Income splitting through pension or spousal contributions
- Transferring tuition credits from children to parents
- Claiming childcare, medical, or charitable deductions on the higher-income spouse’s return
- Using the Canada Caregiver Credit for elderly or dependent family members
Avoid Common Filing Delays
- Report all slips — missing T4s or T5s cause CRA delays.
- Double-check your direct deposit and address information.
- File electronically to receive your refund faster.
- Attach supporting documents for new claims (e.g., disability, tuition).