What to bring when it’s time to file
Tax slips, notices, receipts, and an organized picture of what changed during the year all help create a smoother start.
Canadian tax & bookkeeping resources
Clearer answers,
before the appointment.
Practical starting points for people who are gathering records, earning income independently, or simply trying to understand what belongs in the picture.
Start with the question
you already have.
These resources are written for Canadian clients and are meant to make the next conversation easier. They are general information—not personal tax advice—and the right answer can depend on your records and situation.
If you are ready to talk through your own books or return, Jessica can help you identify what to bring and what to do next.
Book a consultationUseful places to
begin.
Built around the questions Jessica hears most often from individuals, self-employed workers, direct sellers, and small businesses.
Keep a record while the work is happening
Platform income, work-related receipts, and business kilometres are easier to reconstruct when they are captured as you go.
Your sales activity belongs in the picture
Independent consultants and commission sellers need clear records of income, expenses, and inventory-related activity.
Make tax time a result of the routine
Regular bookkeeping helps turn a pile of receipts into records that are useful long before a filing deadline.
Frequently asked
questions.
What should I bring to my tax appointment?
Bring the tax slips, receipts, notices, and records that relate to your year. A prior-year return can also be useful when available. If you had a business, contract, gig-work, or direct-selling income, bring a summary of income and expenses along with the records behind it.
You do not have to have everything perfectly sorted before reaching out. The point of the first conversation is to work out what matters and what the next step should be.
I drive for Uber, DoorDash, or Skip—what should I keep track of?
Keep your platform statements and any other income records, plus receipts for expenses related to earning that income. If you use a vehicle for work, keep both total kilometres driven and kilometres driven to earn income; the CRA uses those records to support the business-use portion of vehicle expenses.
Commercial ride-sharing has GST/HST rules that can differ from the usual small-supplier threshold. Bring the platform details to a consultation so the right rule can be considered for your situation.
I’m a Scentsy, Avon, or Mary Kay consultant—do I need to report my income?
Income from a direct-selling or commission business generally belongs in your tax return. The CRA’s T2125 is used to report business or professional income and expenses, including self-employed commission sales. Keep records of sales, commissions, bonuses, purchases, and business-related expenses.
Books by Jessica is independent and is not affiliated with any direct-sales company.
Can I claim home-office, cell phone, vehicle, or supplies expenses?
Potentially—but only the reasonable business portion of eligible costs belongs in a business claim. Personal portions are not deductible, and some purchases are handled differently from regular current expenses. Receipts and a clear record of how the cost relates to earning income matter.
The CRA explains that business expenses generally need to be reasonable and incurred to earn income. A consultation can help identify which records are relevant without guessing at a personal claim.
What is the difference between bookkeeping and tax preparation?
Bookkeeping is the ongoing work of recording and organizing income, expenses, and financial records. Tax preparation uses that information to prepare a return. When records are kept up through the year, tax time is usually less stressful and easier to review.
Looking for a checklist or mileage tracker? Jessica can recommend the best way to organize records for the work you do. Downloadable tools will be added here once they reflect the process she uses with clients. For the official details, see the CRA guidance on business records, motor vehicle expenses, and GST/HST registration.
Still not sure where to begin?
Bring the question.
We’ll make a plan.
A short consultation can turn a general answer into a practical next step for your own records.