Tax Services
FYI - Helpful Tax Information
New Baby & Taxes (Canada)
A new baby means a few important tax updates. Here’s what to keep in mind:
EI (Maternity & Parental Benefits)
The withholding rate is typically lower than the recipient’s marginal tax rate, so many families owe tax at filing time.
This is common if you:
- Have two incomes
- Receive employer top-up
- Are in a moderate or higher tax bracket
- Take extended leave
We recommend setting aside part of your EI payments to avoid an unexpected balance owing.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Apply for the CCB after your baby is born.
Important:
- Both spouses must file a tax return every year — even if one has no income.
- Payments are income-tested.
- Late filing can delay or stop payments.
Childcare Expenses
You may be able to claim childcare costs, including daycare, before/after school care, nannies, and day camps.
- The lower-income spouse must usually claim the expense.
- Receipts must include the provider’s name and SIN or business number.
- Annual limits apply.
Keep all receipts and provide the total paid for the year.
Medical Expenses
Certain pregnancy and birth-related expenses may qualify as medical deductions, such as fertility treatments, prescriptions, and eligible midwife services.
Keep supporting documentation in case CRA requests it.
Always File — Even with No Income
Filing ensures continued eligibility for benefits like:
- Canada Child Benefit
- GST/HST credit
- Climate Action Incentive
- Provincial benefits
Even if one spouse has no income, both must file to avoid benefit interruptions.
Keep all receipts and provide the total paid for the year.
New Retirees & Taxes (Canada)
Starting CPP and OAS changes how your income is taxed. Here’s what to know:
CPP & OAS Are Taxable
RRSPs must be converted to a RRIF by December 31 of the year you turn 71.
RRIF withdrawals:
- Are taxable
- Have minimum annual withdrawal requirements
- May impact OAS clawback and other benefits
Planning withdrawals carefully can help reduce tax surprises.
OAS Claw back (Recovery Tax)
If your income exceeds the annual threshold, you may have to repay part of your OAS.
This is called the OAS recovery tax (claw back).
The repayment:
- Is based on your net income
- Is calculated annually
- Can reduce or eliminate your OAS payments
If you are close to the threshold, proactive tax planning is important.
RRSP to RRIF Conversion
Both Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits are taxable income.
Taxes withheld at source are often not enough — especially if you:
- Have other income (RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, pensions, investment income)
- Have a working spouse
- Receive multiple income streams
It’s common to owe at tax time if additional tax isn’t requested.
You can ask Service Canada to increase tax withholding to reduce the chance of a balance owing.
Keep all receipts and provide the total paid for the year.
Pension Income Splitting
Married or common-law couples may be able to split eligible pension income.
This can:
- Reduce overall household tax
- Lower OAS clawback exposure
- Balance income between spouses
We can review whether pension splitting benefits you.
Withholding Tax on Withdrawals
RRSP and RRIF withdrawals have withholding tax applied — but this is not always your final tax rate.
If you take large lump-sum withdrawals, you may owe additional tax when filing.
Installment Payments
If you owe more than $3,000 at tax time ($1,800 in Quebec), CRA may require quarterly installment payments the following year.
CRA Installment Payments
CRA may require you to make quarterly installment payments if your net tax owing is more than $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) in the current year and was also more than $3,000 in at least one of the two previous years.
Installment payments are due:
- March 15
- June 15
- September 15
- December 15
CRA will send an installment reminder notice if you are required to pay.
Important to know:
- Installments are not a penalty — they are prepayments toward your next tax return.
- If your income drops, installment amounts can often be reduced.
- If you skip required installments, CRA may charge interest.
- December 15
These payments are applied toward next year’s tax balance.
If CRA requires installments, they will send a reminder notice.
Tax Season FAQ
Getting Started
Where do I find the tax forms and questionnaires?
All required forms are included in the tax season emails we sent and are also available on this page.
If you’re unsure which form applies to you, please contact us before submitting.
When will I receive my tax documents?
Here are the standard issue deadlines:
- T4 (Employment Income): February 28
- T3 / T5 (Investment Income): March 15
- First 60-Day RRSP Contribution Receipts: March 15
- T5008 (Securities Transactions): April 1
Some investment slips may be amended after initial release. If you have investment accounts, it’s common to receive documents into late March or early April.
If you are unsure whether you have all required documents, please reach out before submitting.
Receipts & Supporting Documents
What do I do with my medical receipts?
Please total medical expenses per family member and enter those totals directly into the questionnaire.
If your total medical expenses exceed $8,000, please scan and send copies in case CRA requests support.
Keep all original receipts for your records.
I don’t have a scanner at home. How can I send documents?
You can:
- Mail them to our office
- Install a scanning app on your phone
- Take clear photos of each page
Please ensure all pages are legible and complete.
Uploading & Portal Access
How do I upload documents to my iFirm tax portal?
- Log in to the CCH iFirm portal. Client
- Go to the Documents tab.
- Upload files to the appropriate folder.
Please label files clearly (e.g., “LAST NAME, FIRST NAME T4 ”).
Important: Please rename your files before uploading them to the portal.
The portal keeps whatever file name your document already has. If a file is named IMG_4582.pdf when it is uploaded, that is the name we will see.
How to Rename a File
On a computer
- Right-click the file
- Select Rename
- Type the new name
- Press Enter
On a phone or tablet
- Open the scanned document
- Tap the file name or options menu
- Select Rename
- Type the new name and save
Can I upload documents for my entire family to my portal?
Yes. You may upload all family documents to one portal login.
I can’t find the tax portal link.
I can’t recall my password for the tax portal.
Email liz.tax@sweeneybride.ca to have your password reset.
How do I get access to my CRA account?
You can register or sign in at:
www.canada.ca/my-cra-account
If you are registering for the first time, CRA will mail you a security code. It will take approximately 10 days to get the mailed code.
Signing Your Return
How do I sign using DocuSign?
You will receive an email from DocuSign when your return is ready.
How Do I Sign My Tax Return Using DocuSign?
When your return is ready, you will receive an email from DocuSign.
- Open the email. (Check your junk folder if you don’t see it.)
- Click Review Documents.
- Check the box to agree, then click Continue.
- Click the yellow Start button.
- Click each yellow Sign tag.
- Click Adopt and Sign.
- When finished, click the yellow Finish button.
That’s it. You do not need to create an account or log in.
After you click Finish, we are automatically notified.
If you are pension splitting, the form will be sent to one spouse first. After they finish signing, it will automatically be sent to the second spouse.
If you close the document before clicking Finish, simply reopen the original email and click Review Documents again.
How do I sign in the iFirm portal?
Steps to sign your tax return:
- You will receive an email from CCH iFirm advising a document requires signature.
- Log in to the iFirm portal.
- Go to the Documents tab and open the Signatures Needed folder.
- Click Sign Now next to the document.
- Click Start to move through required signature fields.
- Click on the tag to adopt your signature, then click Finish.
Once completed, the signed document will move to the Signed Documents folder.
Self-Employed Clients
I am self-employed. How do I send my information?
You must complete our Self-Employment Organizer.
Please transfer your information from whatever format you currently use into our standardized form. This ensures accuracy and consistency.
* will add more sub content in this section
Clients with Rental Property Income
I have rental property income. How do I send my information?
You must complete our Self-Employment Organizer.
Please transfer your information from whatever format you currently use into our standardized form. This ensures accuracy and consistency.
Deadlines
What are the tax filing deadlines?
- April 30: Standard filing deadline
- June 15: Filing deadline for self-employed individuals
If you are self-employed, your filing deadline is June 15.
However, any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid penalties and interest.
What happens if I submit my documents after April 3?
We cannot guarantee completion by the tax deadline for documents submitted after April 3rd.
Returns take approximately 3–4 weeks to process, and volume increases significantly in April.
- If you do not owe CRA, the filing deadline does not apply.
- We will complete all returns as quickly as possible.
Fees
What is the cost of a tax return?
Our pricing is per return:
- Non-investment clients: $140 per return
- Investment clients under $300K household assets: 25% discount ($105 per return)
- Investment clients over $300K household assets: 100% discount
If you are unsure which category applies to you, please contact us.
