Notice: The information on this page is only for users of Personal Taxprep 2018. If you are using Personal Taxprep Classic 2018, consult the help available in the program.

Print Bar Codes on Federal Returns

In accordance with CRA requirements, a two-dimensional (2D) bar code can be printed on all Personal Taxprep paper returns for individuals.

The bar code eliminates the traditional data processing, resulting in error reduction and time saving for the CRA.

When all the eligibility conditions are met, a 2D bar code will be printed on the first page of the general T1 return and one or two 2D bar codes for selected financial data (SFD) will be printed on the second page of the general T1 return. These codes contain all the data that is included in the return at the time the print request is made and that is required for the assessment.

A 2D bar code is also printed on the second page of the form authorizing a representative (T1013). This code contains the information with respect to the authorization that appears on the form at the time the print request is made.

CRA rules to follow for bar code use (T1, SFD and T1013)

The CRA has issued the following rules for the efficient use of bar codes:

• The return must be printed on white paper only.
• Punctuation marks, such as periods and commas, must not be entered in the address field.
• If the address changed, the preprinted address label provided by the CRA must not be used.
• If the return is to be modified after the bar code has been printed, the changes required must be entered in the program and the return, reprinted.

• The return will be printed as a T1 General - Condensed, which, along with Form T1-KFS and any other forms and schedules printed, is all that is required to be filed, if the user chooses to file a paper return.

• Both pages of the T1013 form must be printed at the same time to ensure the accuracy of the data contained in the bar code. If a modification is to be made, both pages must be reprinted to make sure the information in the bar code is the same as the information on the form.

Situations where bar codes (T1 and SFD) should not be generated

The bar codes should not be generated on tax returns in the following situations:

1. The taxpayer is a deemed resident (not subject to provincial or territorial tax).
2. The taxpayer died prior to the current taxation year. Early filed and elective deceased returns also remain as exclusions.
3. The taxpayer's social insurance number is missing or invalid, or begins with a 0.
4. The taxpayer is coded bankrupt according to the CRA records and is filing an “in-bankruptcy” or “post-bankruptcy” return (only pre-bankruptcy returns may contain a 2D bar code; however, no SFD bar codes should be generated for these returns).
5. The taxpayer is an immigrant, an emigrant or a non-resident.
6. The taxpayer's address is outside Canada.
7. The taxpayer is reporting:
• Canadian source income from Lloyds of London;
• employment income from an international organization;
• lump sum pension income accrued to December 31, 1971;
• an Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia or Yukon Qualifying Environmental (Mining Reclamation) Trust Tax Credit;
• a statement of qualifying retroactive lump sum payment (T1198);
• a Nova Scotia research and development tax credit recapture.
8. The taxpayer is electing to defer tax on a distribution of spin-off shares by foreign corporations.
9. The taxpayer is claiming:
• less than the maximum federal foreign tax credit;
• a deduction for scientific research and experimental development expenses;
• the Alberta Stock Savings Plan Tax Credit (T89).
10. The taxpayer is reporting farming income under the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs, and:
• this income is farming income from a partnership reported on a T5013 slip or farming income from a partnership that includes a corporate partner;
• the taxpayer is a Canadian Indian reporting self-employed income which is “tax-exempt income.”

Bar codes for selected financial data

Personal Taxprep also allows you to print one or two 2D bar codes for selected financial data (SFD) at the bottom of the second page of the general return for individuals.

Forms containing SFDs are the following:

• T776, Statement of Real Estate Rentals (Jump Code: 776);
• T777, Statement of Employment Expenses (Jump Code: 777);
• TL2, Claim for Meals and Lodging Expenses (Jump Code: TL2);
• T2042, Statement of Farming Activities (Jump Code: 2042);
• T2121, Statement of Fishing Activities (Jump Code: 2121);
• T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities (Jump Code: 2125).

SFD bar codes are generated when a return or general T1 return (Jump Code: J) is being printed (paper or PDF, or with the Taxprep Print Service). There must only be one or two SFDs for bar codes to be printed.