Are bank statements enough if I lost the receipts?
Lost a Business Receipt? What to Do Next. Understand the Canadian tax rules, records to gather and practical next steps before preparing your return.
Request a quote →Arsen Accounting Services · Prepared October 29, 2026
GST/HST and records: 10 practical business questions · Browse the 100-article collection
The direct answer
Bank statements show payments but may not explain what was purchased or its business purpose. CRA requires records supporting income and expense claims. Try to obtain duplicate invoices and reconstruct the supporting trail honestly; never create a receipt that pretends to come from a supplier. Missing evidence can affect a deduction or input tax credit.
Try to recover the original information
Contact the supplier for a duplicate invoice and search email, online accounts and bookkeeping attachments. Record the date, payee, item and business purpose while you still remember them. A replacement document is more useful than an unexplained estimate. Tell the preparer what is missing and what evidence is available instead of treating the gap as already resolved.
Separate proof of payment from proof of purpose
A bank entry may support that money was paid, but it may not describe the item or establish its business use. Keep corroborating records together and identify any uncertainty. Do not create a receipt that appears to come from the supplier. The preparer can assess the available support and explain whether further information is needed.
What to gather before the review
- Bank or card entry for the purchase
- Duplicate-invoice requests and supplier correspondence
- Notes and other evidence of the item and business purpose
Can I invent a receipt if I know I paid the expense?
No. Preserve honest supporting evidence and clearly identify reconstructed notes. A fabricated supplier document creates a different problem and does not replace proper substantiation.
Your next step
List each missing document and contact the supplier before the return is prepared.
Related reading
Official sources
Business records · Input tax credits
Sources checked for this collection on October 28–29, 2026. Annual forms may refer to a specific tax year. Use the rules and limits for the year being filed. General information; eligibility, elections and deadlines depend on the facts. No deduction or tax saving is guaranteed.
Let's discuss your tax needs.
Tell us the tax years, province and filing needs. Prepare a short quote inquiry or contact us directly to discuss availability and scope.
Email: elena@arsenaccounting.com
Phone: (647) 297-4126
Before you send
Please provide a brief description of the assistance you need. Do not email SINs, passwords, banking details or sensitive tax documents in your initial inquiry. We'll discuss an appropriate secure method of sharing documents if we proceed.
Information on this website is general and is not individualized tax advice. Engagements are subject to acceptance, agreed scope and applicable terms.