Be sure to file your tax on  time if you have a balance due. There's a penalty of 5% of the balance due if your return is late, plus 1% per month for a maximum of 12 months.  If you did not contribute to your RRSP in 2009, your tax is not reduced. To test the capability of your advisor on tax matters, ask him what section of the Canadian Income Tax Act requires you to pay your capital gain tax upon death even if the capital assets were not actually sold.