Personal Tax Returns
Clear, organized support for preparing and filing your personal income tax return.
Get Help Preparing Your Personal Income Tax Return
Preparing a personal tax return can involve more than entering information from a few slips. Employment income, pensions, investments, eligible expenses, life changes, and other circumstances can all affect the information needed for your return.
Kara Van Slyke Accounting provides personal tax return preparation with a clear and organized process. Kara will let you know what documents are required, review the information you provide, and help prepare your return based on the details of your situation.
Personal tax return services start at $125, with final pricing based on the complexity of the return and the amount of work required.
Personal Tax Filing for a Range of Situations
Personal tax return preparation is available for individuals with straightforward returns as well as those with different sources of income, expenses, or other filing considerations.
Employees
Support with employment income reported on T4 slips, including eligible employment expenses for those who work from home or travel for work.
Self-Employed Individuals
Tax preparation for individuals earning self-employment income, including reporting business income and eligible expenses.
Rental Property Owners
Support with reporting rental income and expenses related to residential or other rental properties.
Various Life Situations
Tax support for a range of circumstances, including students, pension recipients, first-time home buyers, and others whose situation may affect their tax return.
Personal Tax Planning
Practical tax planning support to help you understand your tax position, prepare for upcoming obligations, and make informed financial decisions.
What Is Included in Personal Tax Return Preparation?
The exact work required will depend on your sources of income, available documentation, and personal circumstances. Kara reviews the information provided and prepares your return based on the details of your file.
The CRA provides a broader overview of the personal tax process through its personal income tax information centre.
- Review of the tax slips and supporting documents you provide
- Reporting applicable employment, pension, investment, or other income
- Review of relevant deductions and credits based on the information provided
- Preparation of your personal income tax return
- Identification of missing information required to complete the return
- Electronic submission of the completed return, when applicable
- Guidance on retaining your supporting tax documents
- Answers to questions directly related to the preparation of your return
Documents to Gather Before Filing
The documents required for your return will depend on your income and circumstances. Kara will confirm what is needed after reviewing the general details of your file.
Income Documents
These may include:
- T4 employment income slips
- T4A, T4A(P), T4A(OAS), or other pension and benefit slips
- T5 investment income slips
- T3 trust income slips
- Employment Insurance information
- Other income records or tax slips
Receipts and Supporting Records
Depending on your situation, these may include:
- Registered retirement savings plan contribution receipts
- Medical expense receipts
- Charitable donation receipts
- Childcare expense receipts
- Tuition information
- Professional or union dues
- Eligible employment expense information
Personal Information
You may also need:
- Current address and contact information
- Marital status and any relevant changes
- Dependant information
- Direct deposit details
- Prior-year tax information
- Notices or correspondence received from the CRA
Most tax slips are issued by employers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations. Missing slips may also be available through your CRA account after the issuer has submitted them. The CRA recommends first contacting the organization responsible for issuing a missing slip. See the CRA’s guidance on finding or replacing tax slips.
When Is Your Personal Tax Return Due?
For most individuals, the personal income tax filing and payment deadline is generally April 30. Self-employed individuals and their spouses or common-law partners generally have until June 15 to file, although any balance owing is generally still due by April 30.
Deadlines can vary in certain circumstances, and the date may be adjusted when it falls on a weekend or public holiday. Review the CRA’s current personal income tax filing and payment deadlines for the tax year being filed.
Important Deadlines to Remember
Most Individual Returns
Generally due April 30
Self-Employed Individuals
Generally due June 15
Balances Owing
Generally due April 30
Need Help with Your Personal Tax Return?
Book a meeting with Kara to discuss your tax filing needs, the documents you have available, and the next steps for preparing your return.
How the Personal Tax Filing Process Works
Kara keeps the process clear and organized from the initial conversation through the completion of your return.
1
Book a Meeting
Contact Kara or book a meeting to discuss the return you need prepared and any circumstances that may affect your filing.
2
Gather Your Documents
Kara will let you know which tax slips, receipts, and supporting documents are needed based on your situation.
3
Upload Your Information
Submit the requested information securely. Existing clients can upload sensitive documents through the client portal.
4
Kara Prepares Your Return
Kara reviews your information, follows up about missing details, and prepares your personal tax return based on the documents provided.
Questions About Personal Tax Returns
Here are some common questions that people ask about personal tax returns. For anything more specific, you can reach out directly or book a meeting to discuss your needs.
How much does a personal tax return cost?
Personal tax return preparation starts at $125. Final pricing depends on the complexity of the return, the number of documents involved, and whether additional work is required.
What documents do I need for my personal tax return?
The documents required depend on your sources of income and personal circumstances. Common documents include tax slips, contribution receipts, medical or donation receipts, tuition information, and other records supporting the income, deductions, or credits reported on your return.
What should I do if I am missing a tax slip?
Start by contacting the employer, financial institution, or other organization responsible for issuing the slip. Some slips may also be available through your CRA account after the issuer has submitted them to the CRA.
Can Kara prepare returns from previous years?
Prior-year returns may be prepared depending on the years involved and the information available. Contact Kara with details about which returns are outstanding so she can determine what documents and additional work may be required.
How long should I keep my tax documents?
The CRA generally instructs individuals to keep tax documents and supporting records for at least six years. These records may be needed if the CRA asks for documentation supporting information reported on a return.
Can a return be corrected after it has been filed?
Yes. A filed return can generally be adjusted if information was entered incorrectly or a slip, deduction, credit, or expense was missed. Kara can help prepare and file the adjustment with the CRA. Please reach out for more information.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a meeting with Kara to discuss your tax filing needs, the documents you have available, and the next steps for preparing your return.