• 2023 Personal Income Tax Checklist

  • In order to assist me in the preparation of your Personal Income Tax Return, I request that you fill out this form to the best of your knowledge. Using the information on this form, in conjunction with the personal tax information slips you provide, the information available to me on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website, and my discussions with you, I will complete your personal tax return.

    Complete the checklist and click "Submit" on the final page. This checklist can either be completed as an individual or as a couple. If you have adult children or dependents, they must submit a separate form. Some fields are visible only if the applicable boxes are checked. If you have personal non-registered investments, I will defer the preparation of your taxes until all slips are received in April, regardless if you provide the rest of your documents before April.

    Once this form is completed, any additional information can be uploaded to TaxFolder.com, once you are granted access. Or if you prefer you upload them to my secure file share box HERE (the link will also be shared when you complete the questionnaire), by regular mail or you can make arrangements to drop them off at my office.

    I strive to complete your personal tax return as accurately as possible, and I take the confidentiality of the information you provide seriously. All information collected on this form and in the course of preparing your personal tax return is covered under the terms of my Engagement Letter.

    DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IF YOU ARE NOT MY CLIENT.

  • General Information

  • This email address will also be used to send e-signature requests and future communications from me as needed.

    This email address will also be shared with CRA, so if you are already set up with CRA MyAccount, please provide the email address you used for that account so that there is no issue with your CRA account access.

  • I plan to start sending a newsletter to share important tax related information throughout the year. It will be sent every 2 months to start with, but could increase to monthly if I have sufficient information to share.

  • You are considered "common law" if you are in a relationship for more than 12 consecutive months or have a child with your partner and living together.

  • Please make sure your spouse fills in this checklist as well, or change your response above to fill in this form on behalf of both of you.

  • If I am not preparing your spouse's return, please change your response above to fill in this form on behalf of yourself only.

  • This email address will also be used to send e-signature requests and future communications from me as needed.

    This email address will also be shared with CRA, so if they are already set up with CRA MyAccount, please provide the email address they used for that account so that there is no issue with their CRA account access.

  • Are you sure this is supposed to be $0. This should only be $0 if you are the only one earning income. Reporting $0 here means that you will be claiming your spouse as a dependant because they have no income to report. This also affects the Family Income calculations for various benefits (e.g. GST Credit, Child Benefits etc.).

    If they are actually working, but you don't know the exact amount of income, please provide an estimate. 

  • It their income is under $21,000 I will need to know the exact amount of income they reported on line 26000 of their tax return. 

    Reporting anything under $21,003 means that you will be claiming your spouse as a dependant because they earned less than the basic personal amount. This also affects the Family Income calculations for various benefits (e.g. GST Credit, Child Benefits etc.).

  •  - -
  • If you lived or worked in another province as of the end of the year, you may be considered resident of the other province. Consider your residential ties (factors to consider are similar for federal tax and provincial purposes)

  • PLEASE FILL OUT A SEPARATE CHECKLIST FOR EACH DEPENDANT OVER THE AGE OF 18, IF YOU WANT ME TO PREPARE A TAX RETURN FOR THEM.

  • Dependant: parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister by blood, marriage or common relationship. 

  • Eligible dependant criteria

  • Individual Checklist

  • Foreign Taxes & Principal Residence

  • Signing up for online mail is not the same as having full access to the CRA My Account. If you wish to get full access that doesn't require you to be verified everytime you try to access your tax account please complete the full registration HERE. If you need tax return information to complete this process please let me know.

  • Note: If you signed up for online mail in the past (whether intentionally or accidentally), I cannot change it back to the paper copy version through Canada Post. You will have to contact CRA directly to change it if you don't receive a paper notice after I file your return.

  • PLEASE CONTACT MY OFFICE TO DISCUSS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

  • PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

  • If foreign properties were sold during the year, there are still reporting requirements. Foreign investment property that must be reported includes:

    • Amounts in foreign bank accounts
    • Foreign intangible property (e.g. patents or copyrights etc)
    • Shares in foreign companies
    • Foreign securities held with a Canadian broker
    • Interests in non-resident trusts
    • Bonds of debentures issued by foreign government or foreign companies
    • Interests or units in offshore mutual funds
    • Real estate situated outside Canada
    • Other income-earning foreign property 
    • Cryptocurrencies

    (Foreign investment property does not include: personal-use property, that is, any property used mainly for personal use and enjoyment, such as a vehicle, vacation property, jewelry, artwork, or any other such property; and assets used only in an active business, such as business inventory or the equipment and building used in a business)

  • FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IS A COMPLEX MATTER THAT MUST BE PROPERLY REVIEWED. PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.

  • TAX RESIDENCY IS A COMPLEX MATTER THAT MUST BE PROPERLY REVIEWED. PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.

  • Provide the following information for the residence you sold:

  • Provide the following information for the residence you converted partially to/from rental:

  • New Tax Rules

  • Some new rules were implemented in the last year that might trigger some new filing requirements. Please address the following, so I can determine if you have to file any extra returns/forms.

  • Trust Return Filing Requirement

    If any of the following situations apply, you may have a bare trust arrangement, requiring you to file a T3 trust return, which is due by March 31:

  • If you wish to read more about this Bare Trust Reporting before you answer the questions please go HERE.

  • If you answered YES to any of the above questions we need to discuss this further to determine if you have to file a T3 return before the end of March.

    If a T3 return is required this will require a separate engagement letter, additional time and therefore additional fees to keep you compliant with CRA.

  • If you answer NO to all the above questions, but should have actually answered YES based on your circumstances, there is a risk of penalties if CRA determines that you should have filed a T3 return in the future.

  • Underused Housing Tax

    The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is payable by non-resident non-Canadian owners of vacant or underused housing in Canada. Most Canadian owners of residential property are excluded owners and, therefore, do not have any obligations and liabilities under the Underused Housing Tax Act (UHTA). However, in some cases, Canadian owners are still required to file a UHT return even if there is no tax payable.

    You can read more information on this new tax HERE.

  • Residential property is broadly defined as:

    • a detached house or similar building that contains not more than three dwelling units, along with any appurtenances and the related land
    • a semi-detached house, rowhouse unit, residential condominium unit or other similar premises, along with any common areas, appurtenances and the related land

    You are an owner if any of the following applies:

    • you are identified as an owner of the property in the land registration system where the property is located
    • you are considered an owner of the property based on such a land registration system
    • you are a life tenant under a life estate of the property
    • you are a life lease holder of the property
    • you are a lessee that has continuous possession of the land on which the property is situated under a long-term lease

  • If you owned, in whole or in part, a residential property in Canada on December 31st (2022 and/or 2023), please read and answer the following questions carefully. This will help me determine whether you have a filing obligation or are subject to the UHT tax, and need to prepare additional forms to submit to the CRA. Non-compliance with this reporting requirement results in significant penalties, which is currently $5,000 per person per property.

  • Please provide the following for the properties that might require a UHT Form:

    • Physical Address
    • Property Tax Assessment
    • Land Title Certificate (if you don't have this I will ask additional questions)
    • Year you become owner
    • Ownership percentage and name of other owners if you aren't the sole owner

  • Income

  • I have an Excel template for employment expenses that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • If you claimed the simplified $2 per day deduction that was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, that is no longer an eligible deduction. You must have a regular T2200 form to deduct any working from home expenses. If you work from home, please request a T2200 from your employer.

  • Do you have self-employment income (non-incorporated) from any of the following sources?

  • Provide me with all self-employed revenues and expenses. Include payments made/received after December 31 that were for expenses incurred/revenues earned prior to the end of the fiscal year.

    I have an Excel template for self-employment activities that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • Provide transaction details and investments statements where available.

  • Based on your previous answers (Principle Residence and/or UHT) you appear to have rental property. You are required to report that income, so please change your answer to YES and provide the necessary details.

  • Provide all rental revenues and expenses for all properties.

    I have an Excel template for rental activities that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • Deductions and Tax Credits

  • If you made contributions in January or February (i.e. First 60 days) of 2024, please provide that receipt as well as that must be reported on your 2023 return, not your 2024 return.

  • For more information on repaying the Home Buyers' Plan, click here. For repaying the Lifelong Learning Plan, click here.

  • For more information on First Home Savings Accounts click here.

  • More information about eligibility for the Northern Residents Deduction is available here.

  • Please provide a copy of the agreement or court order if you have not previously provided it to me.

  • Please provide the receipts from the Child Care Provider.

    The individual or organization who provided the child care services must give you a receipt indicating the services provided. 

    If an individual (i.e. dayhome or not incorporated business) provided these services, make sure the receipt shows the individual's social insurance number. The receipt can be in your name or your spouse or common-law partner’s name and should include the names of the children that are being cared for.

  • You can claim an amount for eligible adoption expenses related to the adoption of a child who is under 18 years of age at the time that the adoption order is issued or recognized by a government in Canada.

    The maximum claim for each child is $18,210.

    You can claim all of the eligible adoption expenses that you incurred, but you have to claim them in the tax year that includes the end of the adoption period for the child.

    You can read more information on what you can claim HERE.

  • Loss on investment in shares or loans to small business corporation
  • Consider the eligibility criteria to claim the caregiver amount

  • Provide supporting documents for your moving expenses. Expenses reimbursed by employer are not eligible.

     

    I have an Excel template for moving expenses that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • You might be eligible for a non-refundable tax credit for eligible supplies purchased, up to $1,000.

    You can read more information on what you can claim HERE.

  • Expenses reimbursed under any health plan are not eligible for the Medical Tax Credit, however, the portion not covered the plan is eligible.

    Premiums paid for the health plans are eligible as well.

    The list of eligible expenses can be found on the CRA Website. 

  • Please submit all the receipts for your medical expenses, including any statements from the health plan if some of your expenses were covered by a plan. I recommend you request a statement from your pharmacy, dentist, chiropractor etc, for the full year, if your expenses include many prescriptions or visits to practitioners. 

  • $10,000 non-refundable tax credit for the first-time home buyers (or no house purchased (or owned) in the last four preceding years)

  •  - -
  • Up to half of eligible tuition and fees associated with work-related training may be eligible for reimbursement for individuals aged 25 to 64. Provide details on tuition and other fees related to training. Amounts refunded due to the CTC are not eligible for the tuition tax credit.

  • Please provide the following information regarding the family member you are caring for.

  •  - -

  • If they also have a T2201 Disability Tax Certificate, please provide the letter from CRA indicating they are eligible as it affects how your return is prepared.

  • You might be eligible to claim one of the following tax credits:

    Multigenerational home renovation tax credit (MHRTC)

    Home accessibility expenses

    Please gather all the related receipts and supporting documents. I will need to have a discussion with you about your situation before I can determine if you are in fact eligible to claim the expenses.

  • Under this non-refundable tax credit, Saskatchewan homeowners may save up to $2,100 in provincial income tax by claiming a 10.5 per cent tax credit on up to $20,000 of eligible home renovation expenses. Eligible expenses include the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, and permits.

    Please visit this website for more details.

    https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/taxes-and-investments/tax-credits/home-renovation-tax-credit

    If you qualify based on the criteria listed on the website, please provide all the required documentation.

     

  • You must provide the actual tuition slip (T2202A) from the education provider. If you haven't received it yet, you likely need to login to the student portal to retrieve it.

  • You can only claim tuition transferred from child/dependant once that person's tax return has been prepared and indicates there is tuition that is eligible to be transferred to you. If I am not preparing their tax return, please provide a copy of the Schedule 11 (both Federal and Provincial versions) and make sure they sign the second page of the T2202A slip indicating you are allowed to claim the tuition they aren't able to use.

  • Make sure the receipts you provide are official tax receipts. Emails confirming the payment receipt are not sufficient. 

  • Couples Checklist

  • Foreign Taxes & Principal Residence

  • Signing up for online mail is not the same as having full access to the CRA My Account. If you wish to get full access that doesn't require you to be verified everytime you try to access your tax account please complete the full registration HERE. If you need tax return information to complete this process please let me know.

  • Note: If you signed up for online mail in the past (whether intentionally or accidentally), I cannot change it back to the paper copy version through Canada Post. You will have to contact CRA directly to change it if you don't receive a paper notice after I file your return.

  • PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO DISCUSS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
  • PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

  • If foreign properties were sold during the year, there are still reporting requirements. Foreign investment property that must be reported includes:

    • Amounts in foreign bank accounts
    • Foreign intangible property (e.g. patents or copyrights etc)
    • Shares in foreign companies
    • Foreign securities held with a Canadian broker
    • Interests in non-resident trusts
    • Bonds of debentures issued by foreign government or foreign companies
    • Interests or units in offshore mutual funds
    • Real estate situated outside Canada
    • Other income-earning foreign property 
    • Cryptocurrencies

    (Foreign investment property does not include: personal-use property, that is, any property used mainly for personal use and enjoyment, such as a vehicle, vacation property, jewelry, artwork, or any other such property; and assets used only in an active business, such as business inventory or the equipment and building used in a business)

  • FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IS A COMPLEX MATTER THAT MUST BE PROPERLY REVIEWED. PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.

  • TAX RESIDENCY IS A COMPLEX MATTER THAT MUST BE PROPERLY REVIEWED. PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.

  • Provide the following information for the residence you sold:

  • Provide the following information for the residence you converted partially to/from rental:

  • New Tax Rules

  • Some new rules were implemented in the last year that might trigger some new filing requirements. Please address the following, so I can determine if you have to file any extra returns/forms.

  • Trust Return Filing Requirement

    If any of the following situations apply, you may have a bare trust arrangement, requiring you to file a T3 trust return, which is due by March 31:

  • If you wish to read more about this Bare Trust Reporting before you answer the questions please go HERE.

  • If you answered YES to any of the above questions we need to discuss this further to determine if you have to file a T3 return before the end of March.

    If a T3 return is required this will require a separate engagement letter, additional time and therefore additional fees to keep you compliant with CRA.

  • If you answer NO to all the above questions, but should have actually answered YES based on your circumstances, there is a risk of penalties if CRA determines that you should have filed a T3 return in the future.

  • Underused Housing Tax

    The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is payable by non-resident non-Canadian owners of vacant or underused housing in Canada. Most Canadian owners of residential property are excluded owners and, therefore, do not have any obligations and liabilities under the Underused Housing Tax Act (UHTA). However, in some cases, Canadian owners are still required to file a UHT return even if there is no tax payable.

    You can read more information on this new tax HERE.

  • Residential property is broadly defined as:

    • a detached house or similar building that contains not more than three dwelling units, along with any appurtenances and the related land
    • a semi-detached house, rowhouse unit, residential condominium unit or other similar premises, along with any common areas, appurtenances and the related land

    You are an owner if any of the following applies:

    • you are identified as an owner of the property in the land registration system where the property is located
    • you are considered an owner of the property based on such a land registration system
    • you are a life tenant under a life estate of the property
    • you are a life lease holder of the property
    • you are a lessee that has continuous possession of the land on which the property is situated under a long-term lease

  • If you and/or your spouse owned, in whole or in part, a residential property in Canada on December 31st (2022 and/or 2023), please read and answer the following questions carefully. This will help me determine whether you have a filing obligation or are subject to the UHT tax, and need to prepare additional forms to submit to the CRA. Non-compliance with this reporting requirement results in significant penalties, which is currently $5,000 per person per property.

  • Please provide the following for the properties that might require a UHT Form:

    • Physical Address
    • Property Tax Assessment
    • Land Title Certificate (if you don't have this I will ask additional questions)
    • Year you become owner
    • Ownership percentage and name of other owners if you aren't the sole owner

  • Income

  • I have an Excel template for employment expenses that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • If you claimed the simplified $2 per day deduction that was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, that is no longer an eligible deduction. You must have a regular T2200 form to deduct any working from home expenses. If you work from home, please request a T2200 from your employer.

  • Do you and/or your spouse have self-employment income (non-incorporated) from any of the following sources?

  • Provide me with all self-employed professional revenues and expenses. Include payments made/received after December 31 that were for expenses incurred/revenues earned prior to the end of the fiscal year.

     

    I have an Excel template for self-employment activities that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • Provide transaction details and investment statements where available.

  • Based on your previous answers (Principle Residence and/or UHT) you appear to have rental property. You are required to report that income, so please change your answer to YES and provide the necessary details.

  • Provide all rental revenues and expenses for all properties.

    I have an Excel template for rental activities that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • Deductions and Tax Credits

  • If you made contributions in January or February (i.e. First 60 days) of 2024, please provide that receipt as well as that must be reported on your 2023 return, not your 2024 return.

  • For more information on repaying the Home Buyers' Plan, click here. For repaying the Lifelong Learning Plan, click here.

  • For more information on First Home Savings Accounts click here.

  • More information about eligibility for the Northern Residents Deduction is available here.

  • Please provide a copy of the agreement or court order if you have not previously provided it to me.

  • Please provide the receipts from the Child Care Provider.

    The individual or organization who provided the child care services must give you a receipt indicating the services provided. 

    If an individual (i.e. dayhome or not incorporated business) provided these services, make sure the receipt shows the individual's social insurance number. The receipt can be in your name or your spouse or common-law partner’s name and should include the names of the children that are being cared for.

  • You can claim an amount for eligible adoption expenses related to the adoption of a child who is under 18 years of age at the time that the adoption order is issued or recognized by a government in Canada.

    The maximum claim for each child is $18,210.

    You can claim all of the eligible adoption expenses that you incurred, but you have to claim them in the tax year that includes the end of the adoption period for the child.

    You can read more information on what you can claim HERE.

  • Loss on investment in shares or loans to small business corporation
  • Consider the eligibility criteria to claim the caregiver amount

  • Provide supporting documents for your moving expenses. Expenses reimbursed by employer are not eligible.

    I have an Excel template for moving expenses that I can send to you if you need help organizing your information. Please send me an email if you would like me to share it with you.

  • You might be eligible for a non-refundable tax credit for eligible supplies purchased, up to $1,000.

    You can read more information on what you can claim HERE.

  • Expenses reimbursed under any health plan are not eligible for the Medical Tax Credit, however, the portion not covered by the plan is eligible.

    Premiums paid for the health plans are eligible as well.

    The list of eligible expenses can be found on the CRA Website. 

  • Please submit all the receipts for your medical expenses, including any statements from the health plan if some of your expenses were covered by a plan. I recommend you request a statement from your pharmacy, dentist, chiropractor etc, for the full year, if your expenses include many prescriptions or visits to practitioners.

  • $10,000 non-refundable tax credit for the first-time home buyers (or no house purchased (or owned) in the last four preceding years)

  •  - -
  • Up to half of eligible tuition and fees associated with work-related training may be eligible for reimbursement for individuals aged 25 to 64. Provide details on tuition and other fees related to training. Amounts refunded due to the CTC are not eligible for the tuition tax credit.

  • Please provide the following information regarding the family member you are caring for.

  •  - -

  • If they also have a T2201 Disability Tax Certificate, please provide the letter from CRA indicating they are eligible as it affects how your return is prepared.

  • You might be eligible to claim one of the following tax credits:

    Multigenerational home renovation tax credit (MHRTC)

    Home accessibility expenses

    Please gather all the related receipts and supporting documents. I will need to have a discussion with you about your situation before I can determine if you are in fact eligible to claim the expenses.

  • Under this non-refundable tax credit, Saskatchewan homeowners may save up to $2,100 in provincial income tax by claiming a 10.5 per cent tax credit on up to $20,000 of eligible home renovation expenses. Eligible expenses include the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, and permits.

    Please visit this website for more details.

    https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/taxes-and-investments/tax-credits/home-renovation-tax-credit

    If you qualify based on the criteria listed on the website, please provide all the required documentation.

  • You must provide the actual tuition slip (T2202A) from the education provider. If you haven't received it yet, you likely need to login to the student portal to retrieve it.

  • You can only claim tuition transferred from child/dependant once that person's tax return has been prepared and indicates there is tuition that is eligible to be transferred to you. If I am not preparing their tax return, please provide a copy of the Schedule 11 (both Federal and Provincial versions) and make sure they sign the second page of the T2202A slip indicating you are allowed to claim the tuition they aren't able to use.

  • Make sure the receipts you provide are official tax receipts. Emails confirming the payment receipt are not sufficient.

  • Final Notes

  • If I am also preparing your spouse's return, both returns will be provided the same way.

  • I understand that the information requested on this form is not exhaustive, nor do all the questions apply to all of my clients. As such, I invite you to direct any comments or questions to me so that I may serve you better.

    You can contact me at mel@melaniegesy.ca or 780-995-5236 or you can book an appointment HERE, if you wish to have a longer detailed conservation.

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