TAX TIPS AND TRAPS ISSUE #96 -
4RD QUARTER 2011 - CHECKLIST
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Taken from Video Tax News |
2011 PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN CHECKLIST
INFORMATION REQUIRED INCLUDES:
1. All information slips such as T3, T4, T4A, T4A(OAS), T4A(P), T4E, T4PS, T4RIF, T4RSP, T5, T10, T2200, T2202, T101, T1163, T1164, TL11A, B, C and D; T5003, T5007, T5008, T5013, T5018 (Subcontractors), RC62 and corresponding provincial slips.
2. Details of other income for which no T slips have been received such as:
- other employment income (including stock option plans and Election Form T1212),
- business income,
- partnership income,
- rental income,
- alimony, separation allowances, child maintenance,
- pensions (certain pension income may now be split between spouses - see #35),
- interest income earned but not yet received - example Canada Savings Bonds, Deferred Annuities, Term Deposits, Treasury Bills, Mutual Funds, Strip Bonds, Compound Interest Bonds
- professional fees,
- director fees,
- scholarships, fellowships, bursaries,
- replacement properties acquired.
3. Details of other expenses such as:
- employment related expenses - Provide Form T2200 - Declaration of Conditions of Employment,
- tools acquired by apprentice vehicle mechanics,
- business and employment purchases like vehicles, supplies, etc.,
- interest on money borrowed to purchase investments,
- investment counsel fees,
- moving expenses - including costs of maintaining a vacant former residence,
- child care expenses,
- alimony, separation allowances, child maintenance,
- safety deposit box fees,
- accounting fees,
- pension plan contributions,
- film and video production eligible for tax credit,
- mining tax credit expenses,
- business research and development,
- adoption related expenses,
- clergy residence deduction information, including Form T1223,
- disability supports expenses (speech, sight, hearing, learning aids for impaired individuals and attendant care expenses),
- tradeperson’s tools acquired by an employee,
- public transit passes acquired,
- amounts paid for programs of physical activity for children under age 16 at any time during the year (under 18 for children with disabilities).
Up to $500 may be claimed for both a fitness and an arts tax credit. The types of programs that qualify are very broad.
4. Details of other investments such as:
- real estate or oil and gas investments - including financial statements,
- labour-sponsored funds.
5. Details and receipts for:
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions,
- professional dues,
- tuition fees for both full-time and part-time courses for you or a dependant - including mandatory ancillary fees, and Forms T2202, TL11A, B, C and D where applicable,
- charitable donations (including publicly traded securities),
- medical expenses for you or a dependent person (including certain medical related modifications to new or existing home and travel expenses). Note that purely cosmetic procedures do not qualify after March 4, 2010.
- political contributions.
6. Details of capital gains and losses realized in 2011.
7. Details of previous capital gain exemptions claimed, business investment losses and cumulative net investment loss accounts.
8. Name, address, date of birth, S.I.N., and province of residence on December 31, 2011.
9. Marital/common-law status and spouse/partner’s income, S.I.N. and birth date.
10. List of dependants/children - including their incomes and birth dates.
11. If you or one of your dependants was in attendance at a college or university, details concerning name of institution, number of months in attendance, tuition fees, income of dependant, Form T2202.
12. Are you disabled or are any of your dependants disabled? Provide Form T2201 - disability tax credit certificate. This also includes extensive therapy such as kidney dialysis and certain cystic fibrosis therapy. Also, the transfer rules include relatives such as parents, grandparents, child, grandchild, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews or nieces.
Persons with disabilities also may receive tax relief for the cost of disability supports (eg. sign language services, talking textbooks, etc.) incurred for the purpose of employment or education.
Also, see #33 for Registered Disability Savings Plan information.
13. Details regarding residence in a prescribed area which qualifies for the Isolated Area Deduction.
14. Information regarding child tax benefit receipts.
15. Details regarding contributions and withdrawals from Registered Education Savings Plans.
16. Details regarding RRSP - Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawals and repayments; RRSP - Lifelong Learning Plan repayment.
17. Receipts for 2011 income tax installments or, payments of tax.
18. Copy of 2010 personal tax returns, 2010 Assessment Notices and any correspondence from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
19. 2011 Personalized Tax information which CRA may have sent you.
20. Do you want your tax refund or credit deposited directly to your account in a financial institution? Yes/No.
To start direct deposit, or to change banking information, attach a void personalized cheque or your branch, institution and account number.
21. Details of carry forwards from previous years including losses, donations, forward averaging amounts, registered retirement savings plans.
22. Details of foreign property owned at any time in 2011 including cash, stocks, trusts, partnerships, real estate, tangible and intangible property, contingent interests, convertible property, etc..
23. Details of income from, or distributions to, foreign entities such as foreign affiliates and trusts.
24. Details of your Pension Adjustment Reversal if you ceased employment and were in a Registered Pension Plan or a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan. (T10 Slip)
25. If you provided in-home care for a parent or grandparent (including in-laws) 65 years of age or over, or an infirm dependent relative, a federal tax credit may be available.
Also, the caregiver may claim related training costs as a medical expense credit.
26. Interest paid on qualifying student loans is eligible for a tax credit.
27. Retroactive lump-sum payments
Individuals receiving qualifying retroactive lump-sum payments over $3,000 may be allowed to use a special mechanism to compute the tax.
28. Changes
in family circumstance
that could affect the Goods and Services Tax
Credit, such as births, deaths, marriages,
reaching the age of 19 years, and becoming or ceasing to be a resident in
29. Children of low or middle income parents may be entitled to a Canada Learning Bond of $500 in the initial year and $100 per year until age 15. Please ask us for details.
30. Do you have any personal interest expense - such as on a house mortgage or vehicle?
If so, it may be possible to take steps to convert this into deductible interest. Please ask us for details.
31. An investment tax credit is available in respect of each eligible apprentice employed in one of the 45 Red Seal Trades. Also, a $1,000 grant is available for first and second year apprentices effective January 1, 2007.
32. Have you received the Universal Child Care Benefit of $100 per month for each child under 6 years of age?
33. Any person eligible for the disability tax credit, or their parent or legal representative, may establish a Registered Disability Savings Plan which receives government grants. Please ask us for details.
See #12 for information on disabilities.
34. The age limit for maturing Registered Pension Plans, Registered Retirement Savings Plans, and Deferred Profit Sharing Plans is 71 years of age.
35. Spouses may jointly elect to have up to 50% of certain pension income reported by the other spouse. Please ask us for details.
36. Individuals 18 years of age and older may deposit up to $5000 per year into a Tax-Free Savings Account commencing in 2009. Please ask us for details.
37. Are you a first-time home buyer in 2011?
A tax credit based on $5,000 (@15% = $750) is available for qualifying homes acquired after January 27, 2009.
38. If required income or Forms have not been reported in the past to the CRA, a Voluntary Disclosure to the CRA may be available to avoid penalties. Contact us for details.
39. Commencing July 2010, the law is changed to allow two eligible individuals who share custody after a relationship breakdown to share the Canada Child Tax Benefit, Universal Child Care Benefit, and the GST/HST Credit in respect of the child.
40. Are
you a
41. Do you have, or share, custody of a child after a relationship breakdown? You may be entitled to the CCTB, UCCB and GST/HST Credit.