Hello,

Just on the verge of sending in my first tax return since I landed on a TWP on July 2008 (yes, I know I've left it late!!)

I've used Studio Tax to prepare a PDF I'm going to print out and post with my T4.

I've got a stupid question...can I use any large envelope to mail in my tax return? I don't need a special envelope, do I?

Tyrian

No.

<And you're not late... April 30th deadline, but even that doesn't matter if they owe you, which they almost certainly will this first time>.

Thank you for your speedy reply!

What was the "no" an answer to?

* Can I use any large envelope to mail in my tax return?

* I don't need a special envelope, do I?

Thank you for the clarification!

Tyrian

You do not need a special envelope. And next year you won't need one at all because you can e-file.

I never use the envelopes supplied by the tax people (not big enough).

Why are you posting them your T4 - shouldn't you hang onto this? They will ask to see it if they need to won't they?

The first time you file you need to send in your T4 - you normally get two copies from your employer though.

Didn't know that - good job I come on here!

All T slips should have an original and at least one copy.

If you file your tax return on paper, you have to send one copy of most T slips with your return. You keep the other(s) for your records. You must file your first tax return on paper so you must send the copies of the T slips with the paper return.

In subsequent years you can file your tax returns on-line so you don't send in your T slips. You should still keep them in case the CRA ask to see them. This is unlikely if you completed your return correctly. However, the CRA do match the T slips issued by employers/banks to individual tax returns so, if you make a mistake or miss something out, it is quite possible they will ask to see your t slips.

Another stupid question - I've done mine with H&R Block online software, it gives you a a few summary sheets along with the actual form, should I include these or not?

No. Just the return and the schedules (and the keying copy if it produces one). Doesn't H&R Block's software tell you what to send? If not, it's another reason to use QuickTax next year.

Doesn't appear to....

Only reason why I used H&R block's was I wasn't sure if QuickTax would let me do a return with an invalid SIN (for the wife, on the issue mentioned previously), whereas I could see H&R block's would do....

Actually, there's an assembly guide right at the back, but doesn't say anything about whether you should be including the summary it produces.

It says attach the schedules horizontally to top left of page 3 of T1? What's it mean by that - fold in half and paperclip? Otherwise you'd need a rather large envelope....

That is a throwback to the manual paper return which was four pages folded like a book. Page one was on the front, you opened it up and page two and three were on either side of the fold, you then closed it and page 4 was on the back. If you attached the schedules and T slips to the top of page three the return, when folded, acted like a jacket for the schedules.

I wouldn't get too hung up about the order these days. They are happy enough if they get everything. You can put the T slips and schedules between pages 2 and 3 before you staple it all together if you like. No origami required.

I did my OH's and typed in a made up SIN number for me. Phoned up CRA once I had sent in the tax return and said "Ooh I have just noticed that the software has thrown in a random SIN for me..." and they said "ahh yes that happens alot, don't worry it won't cause any problems" and it hasn't!