Year-end checklist: what to send your accountant before a tax deadline

Create a clear handoff with your accountant: records, missing questions, payment review dates and filing confirmations, all tied to the correct business and period.

Compliance Calendar editorial · Sources reviewed November 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Agree on the earlier working date

Your accountant's document deadline is a preparation milestone, not an extension from CRA. For a corporation, the T2 filing and tax-balance dates can differ. Ask which payment questions need to be resolved before the books are ready for final filing.

Write down the business, fiscal year-end and person responsible for the handoff. An email saying “the year-end is ready” is easier to act on when everyone knows which period and which version of the books it refers to.

A practical handoff package

The bookkeeping file or reports requested by the preparer.
Bank and credit-card reconciliations and explanations of unresolved items.
Sales and purchase records, plus a list of missing documents.
Relevant tax notices and payment references.
A short list of changes during the year and questions that need advice.

This is a starting checklist rather than a universal list of required schedules. Ask the preparer to tailor the request to the business. Share sensitive documents through the secure channel you have agreed with them.

Make the responsibility visible

Distinguish the person who prepares the books, the person who reviews the return, the person who files and the person who authorizes payment. One person may handle several roles, but do not assume a bank payment or filing is included in a bookkeeping engagement without checking.

Close the loop with evidence

After submission, obtain the filing acknowledgement. After payment, keep its reference and check that it was applied to the expected account. Keep a list of unresolved follow-ups rather than marking everything done when a draft is approved.

How to use this with Compliance Calendar

Put the working review date in your own planning routine and keep the statutory task in the calendar. Use notes and checklist entries to record what remains missing, then record filing and payment separately. The product does not currently provide a shared accountant workspace or automatically assign responsibility; agree those roles directly with your accountant.

Common questions

Does sending the books mean the tax return was filed?

No. Ask for the filing acknowledgement once the return has actually been submitted.

Can I invite my accountant into a shared workspace here?

A dedicated accountant collaboration workspace is not currently available. Use the calendar records alongside the communication process you have agreed with your accountant.

Official sources

Reviewed November 1, 2026. Examples are hypothetical, not customer testimonials. General information, not tax advice. Confirm applicable rules and account-specific notices with the authority or your adviser.