Income Reporting
What counts as income and what doesn't
I earned side income - do I need to report it?
Most people guess wrong here and only find out 2-3 years later.
I earned money on a platform - will the CRA know?
Platform income is no longer as private as people assume.
I was paid in cash - does it need to be reported?
Cash income problems usually surface years after filing.
My e-transfers - income or reimbursement?
This distinction decides whether money is taxable or not.
I'm self-employed - why is my tax bill so high?
CPP catches people off-guard more than income tax.
I moved to Canada - did I pick the right residency date?
Residency errors usually show up as benefit clawbacks.
I claimed an eligible dependent - could this be challenged?
This is one of the most frequently reviewed claims.
I had multiple jobs - why do I owe tax?
This is a math trap, not a mistake.
Did I update my marital status on time?
Late updates cause benefit recalculations.
Is taking the RRIF minimum actually a mistake?
Minimums increase every year - tax does too.
Did I miss pension income splitting?
Missed splits quietly cost thousands.
Did my late filing trigger extra penalties?
Penalties double if it happens again.
Why is CRA interest so high?
Interest grows even while you wait.
Do I need to register for GST/HST?
Many people register after it's already too late.
I collected GST/HST - did I remit it correctly?
Collected tax is not your money.
I left Canada - did I trigger departure tax?
Leaving Canada can create a hidden tax bill.
I'm a student with side income - does it change anything?
Low income doesn't mean low risk.
What if I missed a tax slip?
CRA usually has it even if you don't.
My return was simple - or was it?
Simple returns still get reassessed.
I earned foreign dividends - did I overpay tax?
Withholding doesn't mean final tax.
Was I supposed to pay tax installments?
Installment interest applies automatically.
I received a CRA review letter - should I worry?
Reviews become reassessments if ignored.
I filed late - how bad is it?
Penalties double if you've done this before.
Why did the CRA reassess my return?
Reassessments are rarely random.
Benefits & Credits
Payments you might be missing out on
I didn't file because I earned little - was that a mistake?
Non-filing issues usually surface years later.
My tuition credits - did I use them correctly?
Tuition mistakes usually aren't obvious right away.
My child benefits changed - did my income trigger a clawback?
Benefit adjustments usually hit long after the money is spent.
Will my OAS be clawed back next year?
Most people only notice after their monthly payments drop.
Was I eligible for benefits as a newcomer?
Early payments are often reviewed later.
Deductions & Expenses
Ways to lower your taxable income
I earned foreign income after moving - did I handle it right?
Foreign income mistakes usually surface during reviews.
Did my rental deductions create a bigger problem?
Some deductions permanently change your tax position.
Can I still claim the home office deduction?
Pandemic rules no longer apply.
I had medical expenses - did I claim them correctly?
Medical credits are often missed because receipts are scattered.
My move was work-related - can I deduct it?
The 40km rule is strictly enforced.
Why did my RRSP withdrawal create such a big tax bill?
Withholding tax hides the real cost.
Did I deduct personal expenses as business costs?
Mixed expenses are a common reassessment trigger.
Can I deduct vehicle expenses without a logbook?
Estimates rarely survive review.
Did I claim my student loan interest correctly?
Missed claims quietly reduce refunds.
Did I overcontribute to my RRSP?
The penalty doesn't stop until fixed.
Investments & Property
Real estate, crypto, and foreign assets
I sold investments - is my cost base actually right?
ACB errors are one of the most common reassessment triggers.
I rented out space - is that actually taxable?
Cost-sharing myths cause quiet reassessments.
Do I need to file a T1135?
This is one of the most expensive mistakes.
Did my capital losses actually help me?
Losses only work if you use them.
Did the CRA deny my capital loss?
This rule cancels losses silently.
I swapped crypto for crypto - is that taxable?
Most people miss this completely.
My crypto was lost or hacked - can I claim a loss?
Losses aren't automatic.
I moved investments between brokers - is my ACB wrong?
Transfers silently break cost bases.
Did I overcontribute to my TFSA?
Withdrawals don't reset room immediately.
Ontario Checks
Specific rules for Ontario residents