Tax Genius · Canada
Canada Personal Income Tax Filing: CRA Source-Led Guide
CRA-source-led T1 preparation guidance covering filing readiness, deductions/credits and post-filing assessment status.
Information reviewed against referenced sources:
What should be organised before filing a Canadian personal income tax return?
Organise residency status, income slips and other income records, deductions or credits that may apply, tax already paid and any newcomer or non-resident facts before preparing the return.
Prepare the taxpayer facts before the return
A complete filing starts with residence, income and evidence. Tax rates and credits are year-sensitive and should be checked against current CRA guidance.
- Residency status
- Income slips and other income
- Deductions and credits
- Tax already paid
- Prior-year information where relevant
- Post-filing NOA review
Build the T1 filing from slips, other income and supported claims
CRA filing guidance separates getting ready, filing and after-filing administration. Assemble available tax slips, report other required income, review deductions and credits that are supported by the taxpayer facts, and retain the evidence used to prepare the return.
Read the Notice of Assessment as the CRA result of the filing
The Notice of Assessment summarizes the CRA calculation after the return is processed. Compare material assessed amounts with the filed return and use CRA account or progress services for supported status information. If the CRA changes an amount, preserve the notice with the return and underlying records before considering an adjustment or dispute path.
Primary sources
- Canada Revenue Agency — Get ready to file your income tax and benefit returnVerified 2026-08-22
- Canada Revenue Agency — Current year tax rates and income brackets (2026)Verified 2026-08-22
- Canada Revenue Agency — Claiming deductions, credits and expensesVerified 2026-08-22
- Canada Revenue Agency — Notices of assessment — NOA or NORVerified 2026-08-22