# How to prepare for tax season as a self-employed person

> What to gather, what to track, and how to make your accountant's job easier.

- **URL:** https://trymorgan.ai/blog/how-to-prepare-for-tax-season-as-a-freelancer
- **Published:** 2026-05-24
- **Category:** Taxes

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## What you need to report

In Canada, self-employed individuals must report all business income regardless of payment method: card, cash, e-transfer, or cheque. You also get to deduct legitimate business expenses.

## What to gather before filing

**Income records:**
- All invoices sent and amounts received
- Any cash or e-transfer payments recorded in your system
- Bank statements showing deposits from clients

**Expense records:**
- Receipts for materials and supplies
- Fuel and mileage records
- Equipment purchases
- Software and subscription costs

**HST/GST records** (if you're registered):
- HST collected on sales
- HST paid on purchases (input tax credits)

## The role of your accounting app

If you've been using Morgan AI consistently throughout the year, most of this is already done. You can export a complete income summary, expenses by category, and a tax summary report.

## Working with an accountant

Give your accountant clean, organized records and you'll save significant time, their time is yours when you're paying by the hour.

## Key dates (Canada)

- **June 15**: Last day to file your T1 as a self-employed person
- **April 30**: Deadline to pay any balance owing
- **Quarterly installments**: If you owed more than $3,000 last year, CRA expects quarterly payments