ReceiptCue

Personal tax checklist

What receipts should you keep for Canada tax season?

CRA may ask you to support what you filed long after you submit the return. The safest habit is to keep the receipt, the payment trail, and enough context to explain why you claimed it.

Built from official public sources. Last reviewed: 2026-04-23

Practical sections

Keep the records in a shape that still makes sense later

Each section focuses on one record-keeping decision that usually gets harder after the tax season pressure starts.

Who should keep these records

Anyone filing a personal Canada return should keep support for the deductions, credits, and carryforwards they report. This matters even when you file online and do not attach the documents up front.

  • Keep the support for any amount that lowers tax or affects a future carryforward.
  • Keep records for claims made for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and any dependant when relevant.
  • Keep a copy of the return and your notice of assessment or reassessment with the supporting records.

What to keep

CRA's general rule is broader than official receipts alone. You often need the original document plus enough secondary proof to show the payment really happened and what it was for.

  • Slips and forms that support income, credits, or deductions.
  • Receipts for claimable expenses, tuition, child care, medical costs, donations, and similar items when relevant.
  • Cancelled cheques, bank statements, credit-card records, and other proof of payment.

What the record should show

The best record is the one another person can review without relying on your memory. Keep enough detail to identify the payee, date, amount, and what the expense or claim was actually for.

  • Date of the payment or purchase.
  • Who was paid and for what.
  • Which family member, child, or dependant the claim relates to when applicable.

How long to keep it

CRA says to keep tax documents and records for at least six years. That does not just mean the receipt itself. It also includes the supporting proof you may need if CRA asks questions later.

  • Keep records for at least six years after the tax year they relate to.
  • Keep your filed return and notice of assessment or reassessment with the support.
  • Do not assume 'I filed online' means the paper trail is no longer needed.

Common mistakes

Most people do not lose the tax claim at filing time. They lose it later because the receipt, payment proof, and explanation drift apart.

  • Keeping only a photo or screenshot with no payment trail.
  • Keeping the receipt but not the reason the claim was made.
  • Assuming official receipts are enough for every review situation.

Official references

Official Canada references for this guide

These pages were used to shape the practical guidance above and should be rechecked before filing or publishing tax advice.

CRA: How long should you keep your income tax records?CRA: What documents do you include with your return and what records do you keep

Start today

Keep personal tax proof ready before CRA questions arrive

ReceiptCue helps you keep the receipt image, key fields, and later handoff context in one searchable record.

ReceiptCue helps organize records. It does not determine whether a deduction or credit is allowed for your situation.

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FAQ

The follow-up questions that come up most often

These are the support questions that usually come up after the return has already been filed.

Can I keep receipts digitally for a Canada tax return?

Digital records can work, but you still need enough detail and supporting proof for CRA to understand the claim later.

Do I only need official receipts?

Not always. CRA's general guidance says you may need cancelled cheques, bank statements, and other proof in addition to the receipt.

Should I keep my Notice of Assessment too?

Yes. It helps support what you filed and makes the next year's return easier to prepare.