Seven Tips for Filing Your Tax Return

Tax season can be a stressful and confusing time and figuring out where to begin is not always easy! Our first piece of advice is that proper tax planning should be a year-long activity. If you follow our advice and plan ahead, filing your tax returns can be a simple and efficient process.

Here are seven tips for your tax return:

1. Gather all your documents. Ensure that you have all your income slips, receipts for deductible expenses and other relevant supporting documentation. We prepared a checklist to help you with this important step in preparing your tax returns. Click here to view the checklist.
2. Find out what’s new in the tax world in 2025 by reading our tax developments article or Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s Tax Planning Guide. This guide contains all the information you need for both your federal and provincial income tax returns.
3. Make sure that you’re aware of all the credits and deductions you’re entitled to. You may be eligible for tax credits for childcare expenses and medical expenses, for example.
4. Upload your receipts and any other suggested documents to the DOCUMENTS tab of your portal. This can facilitate the tax returns process.
5. Beware of tax scams. In order to avoid fraud and identity theft, you must protect your tax information. We recommend that you:
   • Use strong and unique passwords;
   • Regularly monitor your online accounts to detect any suspicious activity;
   • Immediately contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if you receive a notice of change that you did not authorize;
   • Be cautious of any unsolicited communications. The tax authorities never request personal or financial information by email, phone or text message.
6. Call on a tax professional to file your income tax returns. Tax professionals will generally ensure that you maximize your tax deductions and reduce your tax bill. Without a shadow of a doubt, consulting a professional is the best way to make your tax season easier.
7. Receive your notice of assessment. Once your tax returns have been prepared, approved and filed, you’ll receive a printed copy of your notice of assessment in the mail, unless you requested an electronic version only. You may also access your notice of assessment on the Revenu Québec or CRA website. The tax authorities should issue your notice of assessment:
   • within 14 days if your tax returns were filed electronically;
   • within 28 days if your tax returns were sent by mail.
8. The final step involves making a payment or receiving a refund.
   • Payment: If you have a balance owing, you must submit your payment by April 30 or the next business day if April 30 is a Saturday or Sunday. Each tax authority has listed the various payment methods on their respective website.
   • CRA
   • Revenu Québec
   • Refund: If you’re entitled to a refund, you’ll receive a check in the mail or a direct deposit in your account at a Canadian bank or credit union.

All Canadian residents are legally required to file income tax returns. Even if you have no income to report and no tax to pay, you must file tax returns to be eligible for certain tax credits and benefits. These benefits include the Canada Workers Benefit, child and family allowance benefits, the solidarity tax credit and the GST credit. When you file your tax returns, you ensure that you can benefit from all the different forms of financial assistance available to you.

To find out more about the steps involved in filing your tax returns, contact us at 1 844 200-IMPO (4676). Our team will be happy to answer your questions.