- 1). Gather all necessary documents so you can access the deceased's tax records. You will need a copy of the death certificate, the deceased's social insurance number and a complete copy of the will or other relevant legal document.
- 2). Contact the CRA as soon as possible to inform them of the deceased's date of death, either by phone at 1-800-959-8281 or by mailing in the form--Request for the Canada Revenue Agency to Update Records--included with Information Sheet RC4111: What to Do Following a Death.
- 3). Arrange for all payments to be stopped. This includes any payments the deceased may have been receiving--such as GST/HST (goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax) credits--or paying, such as tax installments. The CRA will be able to assist you in determining if any payments should be transferred to a family member.
- 4). Gather all documents you need to file the return. This includes: documentation of all income the deceased received; the tax package from the province or territory where the deceased resided at the time of death; and any other relevant documents, such as statements of investments, charitable or political donations and medical costs.
- 5). Determine whether you intend to file a single tax return or to also file one or more optional returns. The three optional returns are not required but by using them, the deceased may end up owing less tax, which means more money for the estate. If you are unsure which returns to file, contact the CRA or a tax professional for guidance.
- 6). Prepare the tax return and any optional returns, following the CRA's guide, T4011: Preparing Returns for Deceased Persons.
- 7). Submit the return(s) to the CRA.
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