Clear answers to common tax-preparation questions.
Practical starting points for individuals, families, self-employed professionals and small businesses.
These answers are general information. Your filing requirements and tax result depend on your facts and current CRA rules.
Getting started
Who do you help?+
We help individuals, families, students, seniors, newcomers, landlords, self-employed professionals and small businesses in Durham Region, the GTA and across Canada, excluding Quebec.
Do I need to live in Oshawa?+
No. Appointments and document exchange can be completed remotely for clients throughout the provinces we serve.
How do I book an appointment?+
Book through our online calendar to see current availability, or call (647) 800-6769 and our AI-assisted phone agent can help arrange your appointment. After booking, you will receive the appointment details and next-step instructions.
Documents & filing
Can I submit documents online?+
Yes. After engagement, clients receive access to the TaxDome client portal for document exchange and communication.
What documents should I gather for a personal return?+
Gather all CRA slips, prior-year notices of assessment, income records and receipts relevant to deductions or credits. Your exact checklist depends on your situation.
Can you file returns from previous years?+
In many cases, yes. We first review which years are outstanding and what records are available, then confirm the appropriate filing plan.
Business tax
Do you prepare small-business returns?+
Yes. We support sole proprietors and partnerships with business-income reporting and GST/HST filings.
Do you provide corporate tax, bookkeeping and HST services?+
Yes. Corporate tax filing, bookkeeping and corporate HST support are provided through our CPA partner, Umer, who has worked with S & M Tax Services for the past four years. We confirm the exact scope and responsibilities before work begins.
What records should a self-employed person keep?+
Keep invoices, bank and credit-card records, expense receipts, mileage or vehicle logs where applicable, GST/HST records and details of any business-use-of-home costs.
When should I register for GST/HST?+
Registration depends on your taxable supplies, revenue and business circumstances. We can review the facts with you; the CRA publishes the current small-supplier rules.
CRA support
Can you help with a CRA review?+
Yes. We help interpret the request, identify the supporting records and prepare an organized response. Outcomes always depend on the facts and CRA’s decision.
What if I missed a tax slip?+
Address it promptly. Depending on the situation, a correction or adjustment may be requested through CRA processes.
What should I do when a CRA letter arrives?+
Keep the complete letter, note the deadline and gather the records it references. Avoid sending a partial response before understanding what the CRA is requesting.