T2 Bar Code

TaxCycle General
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I’m just wondering if there is any app or way to read/decipher an (old) T2 Bar code return?? I’m doing some “clean up” work and all we’ve got is a CT23 + T2 bar code to start with…

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I guess if you are fairly new to this business you may not have the special glasses for reading the bar codes.

Come to think of it I am not sure where mine are at the moment.

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I’m sure I loaned my barcode glasses to @BertMulderCGA and never got them back. I’m sure he lost them somewhere in the old Greenpoint board. :rofl:

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Thanks - I had to ask… And why would the client have a bar code copy anyway (perhaps they mailed the wrong print set way back when)??

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Yeah, have had a few office moves since then, and forgot where I put them…

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Found them!

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Mystic Black Stripes on T1 Printout.pdf (102.5 KB)

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@LMK
The old bar codes contain identifying info for CRA internal scanning and processing and ID information.

For recreating the actual data the bar code page was usually on the top page. The data field numbers and data amounts were on the subsequent pages, much like our current T1 condensed. For completeness and readability, you would want additional information which is available from CRA.

To obtain a full and readable version of the tax return, call CRA Business Enquiries and ask for a full printout of the detailed tax return as filed. This is the CRA recreation of a paper printout of the the tax return. It is a full copy of the tax return with the jacket and all schedules. It is missing the data entry entry forms which we use during our workflow such as donations list, medical claims list, slips details. It is missing all our summaries such as slips summaries. It does include any lists or totals that are part of the actual CRA tax forms or schedules. I have forgotten the actual CRA internal nomenclature for specifying this print out version. Ask more than just the numerical values. Ask for the detailed copy of the full tax return. It is surprising how easy and fast it is to recreate this information manual.

In addition to this duplicate T2 Tax Return, request from CRA the following:
T2 Notice of assessment.
T2 Statement of Account.
Elections.
T4, T5, etc for the same period.
GST Return, Assessment, Statement of Account.
CRA correspondence for the same tax year.

You would need to go the relevant Province to obtain a copy of the provincial return and related information.

References:

CRA 2D Bar Code
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/corporations/corporation-income-tax-return/completing-your-corporation-income-tax-t2-return/2d-code.html

Print T2 Bar Codes
https://www.taxprep.com/assistance/T2/2023/v10/en-ca/Content/Printing/print_rsibarcode.htm

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All kidding aside, you can download the T2 data from RAC…