Is your personal tax return right? Get a second look, in plain English.
Upload your T1 return and get a plain-language summary of anything that needs attention, the estimated tax impact, and a technical report you can hand to your tax preparer. Before you file or accept a pre-filled return, or after a reassessment.
More Canadians are filing on their own
CRA is starting to send pre-filled returns, and many people now file without a tax preparer. A pre-filled return only includes what CRA already knows, and self-employment adds income and expenses that are easy to get wrong.
Pre-filled returns
Credits CRA can’t see, such as medical expenses, child care, donations or tuition, may be missing before you accept.
Self-employed
Business income, expenses, home office, vehicle costs and GST/HST are common places for mistakes.
“Why did my result change?”
If your refund dropped, a balance appeared, or CRA reassessed your return, find out what likely happened.
A second set of eyes on your T1
Built by an accounting professional, the SBN T1 Checker reviews your return against a consistent checklist and explains what it finds in plain language.
- “What this means for you”: issues explained in plain language
- Errors, missing items and missed credits flagged
- Estimated tax impact of what’s found
- Questions to ask your tax preparer, or CRA
- A technical report for your tax preparer or bookkeeper
- Up to two follow-up questions answered on the spot
The common problem areas on a personal return
Income and slips
Employment, investment and pension slips, and income that may be missing or reported twice.
Self-employment (T2125)
Business income and expenses, home office, vehicle costs, capital cost allowance and GST/HST.
Credits CRA can’t see
Medical expenses, donations, tuition, disability and caregiver amounts, and child care.
Deductions and limits
RRSP and FHSA deductions against your limits, carry-forwards and unused amounts.
Rentals and capital gains
Rental income and expenses, and sales of investments or property.
Balance owing and instalments
What you owe, filing deadlines, and whether you’ll need to pay instalments next year.
No guessing: if something can’t be confirmed from your return, the report says so and tells you what’s needed.
Built for people filing on their own
“Should I accept this?”
Check what CRA filled in, and what it may have missed, before you accept it.
“Did I get my business right?”
Check business income and expenses on your return before you file.
“Is this normal?”
Understand a changed refund, balance owing or reassessment, and whether to follow up.
Four steps
- Join or log inThe T1 Return Checker is for Small Business Navigator members, $9 a month.
- Buy your check$29 per person, per tax year.
- Upload your returnAttach your full T1 PDF and Notice of Assessment using the paperclip in the chat, and type any concern.
- Get your reportStart your 2-hour session when you’re ready. A plain-language summary in minutes, then the technical report. Copy, print or save it before the session closes.
One check, one price
Available to SBN members. Membership includes tools, calculators, guides and a monthly newsletter.
- Plain-language summary
- Estimated tax impact
- Missed credits and deductions flagged
- Technical report for your tax preparer
For SBN members. Not a member yet? Join first, for $9 a month.
- Go over your results with a CPA
- CRA adjustments and reassessments
- Self-employment, rentals and complex slips
- Should you incorporate?
Paid and booked through your membership.
Is it time to incorporate?
If your business is growing, incorporating may lower your tax and protect your personal assets. Compare the two with our free calculator, then talk it through with a CPA.
Common questions
What do I need?
The complete T1 return as a PDF, with all schedules (including T2125 if you’re self-employed), and your CRA Notice of Assessment if you have one. Save the PDF directly from your tax software or download it from your CRA account; scanned or photographed pages are harder to read.
Why not just ask a free AI chatbot?
The SBN T1 Checker follows the same checklist every time, won’t invent missing figures, and clearly flags what it can’t confirm. And if you need more, a CPA session is a click away.
Can I use it before I file?
Yes. That’s the best time to catch a missed credit or an error in your business income.
What counts as one check?
One check covers one person’s return for one tax year. A couple filing separately needs two checks.
What if I find a mistake after filing?
A filed return can usually be changed with CRA. Your results will show what to verify; if you need help with the change, book a CPA session.
Does it cover Quebec?
It covers the federal return. Quebec residents also file a separate provincial return with Revenu Québec, which isn’t covered.
Does it file my return?
No. It’s a second look at your return. You, or your tax preparer, remain responsible for filing.
Built by John Whiteley, CPA, PBA, founder of Small Business Navigator, to give Canadians who file on their own a practical, affordable second look at their personal tax return.
Check your T1 return
Join or log in, buy your check, and get a plain-English second look at your return.
Check my T1 return Not a member yet? Join for $9 a month · Questions? Contact usThe T1 Return Checker provides general information and decision support based on the documents and information you provide. It isn’t legal advice, a tax filing service or an audit/assurance engagement.