By Advantage Tax Solutions · Updated October 22, 2026

A good corporate tax file starts with a clear set of records. If you operate an incorporated business in London, Ontario, or work with us online elsewhere in Canada, this checklist will help you prepare for the first conversation about your T2 return.

You do not need to finish every item before contacting us. Start by explaining what is ready, what is missing and when your corporation’s fiscal year ends. The final document request depends on your corporation and the work agreed in your quote.

1. Start with the corporation’s details

• The corporation’s legal name, business number and fiscal year-end.
• Its incorporation documents if this is its first return with us.
• The address and provinces where it operates.
• The previous T2 return, notice of assessment and any recent CRA correspondence.

Keep the corporation’s records separate from the owner’s personal tax slips. If you are unsure which entity a document belongs to, flag it for discussion instead of placing it in both files.

2. Gather the year-end accounting records

Prepare your financial statements or trial balance and general ledger for the relevant fiscal year. Include bank and credit-card reconciliations, a list of unpaid customer invoices and a list of outstanding supplier bills, where applicable. Tell us whether your bookkeeper has finished the year-end work.

The CRA uses financial statement information in corporate tax reporting, commonly through the General Index of Financial Information, or GIFI. Its T2 guide explains the financial information and schedules involved. You can provide the underlying records; we will explain what is needed for the agreed tax preparation.

3. Explain the transactions that need context

A bank transaction description does not always explain the business purpose. A short note beside an unusual payment can save several follow-up questions. Keep the original supporting documents available.

4. Tell us about changes during the year

Highlight changes in ownership, a new business activity, a property purchase or sale, operations in another province, or a business moved into the corporation. If another preparer handled the prior year, tell us what copies you have and whether anything remains unresolved.

If the books are incomplete, identify the gaps. Corporate tax preparation and bookkeeping cleanup are different pieces of work, and the quote should explain what is included.

5. Send records through the agreed channel

Once the engagement and document request are confirmed, use our client portal for requested uploads. Use a consistent filename such as “CorporationName_YearEnd_BankStatements” and include every page. Keep passwords and sign-in codes out of uploaded notes.

Questions to ask before preparation begins

• Which fiscal year and filings does the quote cover?
• Is any bookkeeping or reconciliation still required?
• Are GST/HST, payroll slips or separate provincial returns included?
• What will I receive to review before authorizing filing?
• What information is needed to assess the payment and filing dates?

See our corporate T2 filing service for the process, or book a free introductory call to discuss your records and a quote. Corporate filing is priced separately from our sole-proprietor package.

General information, based on the official CRA sources linked above. Requirements can change, and your corporation or personal circumstances determine the advice and filings you need.