Pro Tax T2 return guide

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is intended to provide general guidance only. We cannot provide any tax-related advice or opinion. We recommend reviewing the CRA website and contacting their tax inquiries line or consulting an accredited CPA firm for information regarding current tax laws. We recommend having any return prepared or reviewed by a professional accountant before filing.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

• Review the CRA's T2 return guide
• Assemble information before starting the T2 return
• Complete the T2 return information page
• Complete common T2 return schedules
• Finish the T2 return and e-filing

Review the CRA's T2 return guide before starting

Before starting a T2 return, review the CRA's T2 Corporation - Income Tax Guide - Before you start.

A PDF and HTML version of the CRA's T2 guide is found here: T4012 T2 Corporation - Income Tax Guide.

The CRA's T2 guide covers topics including:

Who has to file a T2 return?

When and how do corporations pay income tax?

Assemble information before starting the T2 return

For an easier experience, assemble the following information and materials prior to starting the T2 return:

• Prior-year financial statements and T2 return, if applicable
• Articles of incorporation
• List of product and services provided in percentages
• Obtain backup electronic copies of applicable bookkeeping (e.g., QuickBooks, Simply accounting, MS Excel, etc.), trial balance sheet, income statement, general ledger, credit card and bank statements of the last month of the corporation year
• Corporate installment payments made during the year
• Copy of prior years' Notice(s) of Assessment (NOA)
• Correspondence with any government relating to the corporation
• List of changes to the corporation from last year (for example, new director, shareholders, new assets, etc.)
• Business number of the corporation (review the incorporation documents or prior-year return)
• Address of corporation, including head office, mailing and location of books, if applicable (you can review the CRA My Account feature for this information)
• Fiscal year-end date of company
• Enter information and carry-forward the return in Pro Tax of the prior-year corporation return, if available
• Provide a signed BusinessConsent form to acquire access to the client's business information through the CRA. We recommend preparers follow the instructions from the  T4012 T2 Corporation - Income Tax Guide to acquire full online authorization using the CRA's Represent a Client function.

Complete the T2 return information page

It is not necessary to enter data directly into the T2 jacket for most T2 entries.

Navigate to the Info form in ProTax. Using the information assembled from the list above, complete the Info form. Most of the information on the Info automatically populates pages 1 or 2 of the T2 form.To learn more about Page 1 and 2 of the T2 form, review pages 20-32 of the T4012 T2 Corporation - Income Tax Guide. This material will clarify type of corporation, the difference between selecting CCPC, public corporation and others, etc.

Complete common T2 return schedules (as applicable)

The following schedules may need to be completed for a T2 Return:

• Import GIFIs to complete Schedule 100 and 125; ensure the balance sheet balances correctly. if this is a new client, review in the accounting software to confirm if the chart of accounts has the correct GIFIs assigned to them.
• Complete Schedule 101 for a first-year corporation filing; complete Schedule 24 if applicable and review lines 70-72.
• Complete Schedule 50 (shareholder information)
• Complete Schedule 8 (CCA of physical assets)
• Complete Schedule 3 (did the corporation issue a dividend to shareholders or receive dividends?)
• Complete Schedule 2 (if the corporation made charitable donations)
• Complete Schedule 11 (did the shareholder receive or make a loan to the corporation?)
• Complete RACDetails (if the corporation is related to or associated with another corporation). Review related forms identified on the RACDetails form (for example., Schedule 9, 23, 49, etc.)

To learn more about schedules, review the CRA's T4012 T2 Corporation - Income Tax Guide.

Finish the T2 return and e-filing

Complete other applicable schedules based on corporation status: reviewing the prior year's T2 will direct you on any additional schedules. In addition, the notes attached from changes in the corporation may also point towards additional forms. Use professional judgment in this regard. Please review File a return in ProTax for more information.