The CRA Has My Tax Slips—So I Don’t Need to Do Anything?
You might think, “My employer and bank already submitted all my T4s, T5s, and other slips to the CRA—why bother doing much else?” But slip-matching doesn't guarantee you’re completely covered. Even with Auto-Fill My Return (AFR), many elements are left out, and errors still happen. Let’s dive in:
What the CRA Really Has—and What It Doesn’t
CRA auto-fill matches slips they've received from employers, banks, and pension plans. But it doesn’t include:
Minor income sources like gig work or rental revenue
Deductible expenses like home office, vehicle use, or education
Personal interviews or memo items
Some self-reported income or foreign asset income
Importantly, only you know your full financial details and what's deductible. Filing accurately is still your responsibility.
Common Slip-Matching Issues
Missing or duplicate slips: Paper or electronic slips may not upload, and duplicates can trigger CRA reviews. You may need to submit corrected info manually.
Clerical errors: Digit transposition or rounding errors often cause discrepancies. CRA matching flags these, but machines don't fix them—you do.
CRA Matching Process Doesn’t Guarantee Accuracy
The CRA uses programs (processing review, T1 matching, etc.) to compare your return and slips. Discrepancies might lead to reassessments, reviews, or penalty letters. You’re expected to fill in all details, not just rely on slip-auto-fill.
What You Should Do Every Filing Season
Download all slips from CRA My Account and cross-check them.
Manually add other income (side gigs, rental, investments).
Track expenses that aren't on slips (vehicle, home office, subscriptions).
Verify details for accuracy—names, SINs, addresses.
If you see missing/incorrect slips, contact issuers and file amendments. CRA doesn’t fix that for you.
Always review tax calculations and supporting documents—even if AFR pre-fills fields.
Final Takeaway
Auto-fill makes filing easier, but it’s not foolproof. The CRA may have some of your info—but not everything—and you’re still responsible for the accuracy of your return. Missing deductions or forgetting income can cost more than just penalties—it could mean paying more tax than you need.
If you'd rather not dig through slips and receipts, I can help—serving individuals and small business owners across the Greater Toronto Area.
