The T4 slip is a fundamental record of employment income in Canada’s tax system, documenting the financial relationship between employers and employees. As with other tax slips, its use is mandated by the Income Tax Act, which emphasizes that employment income is reported when received, not when earned.
This guide will help you understand T4 slip requirements, 2025 deadlines, how to interpret key information, including Employment Insurance Premium Rate details, and methods to access current and past T4s.
Whether you’re an employee receiving T4s or an employer responsible for issuing them, this guide equips you with the knowledge needed for successful tax management in the filing season and beyond.
What is a T4 Slip?
A T4 slip, also known as the Statement of Remuneration Paid, documents the financial relationship between employers and employees for tax purposes.
This document records all remuneration an employer pays to an employee during a calendar year and serves as the primary source document for reporting employment income on your annual tax return.
The T4 contains detailed information about your employment earnings, contributions to government programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI), income tax deductions, and various other financial data points essential for tax filing purposes.
Both you and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receive copies of this document, creating a verifiable record of your employment income that the tax authorities can reference during assessment.
When Do T4s Come Out in 2025?
T4 slips follow a standardized annual distribution schedule set by the CRA to ensure timely tax filing. For the 2025 tax filing season (covering 2024 income), T4 slips will be available in payroll systems starting February 6, 2025.
Employers must provide T4 slips to employees by the last day of February following the tax year to which the slips apply, which means by February 28, 2025. If the last day of February falls on a weekend, the deadline extends to the next business day.
Most T4s arrive in early March, providing approximately 8 weeks before the April 30 tax filing deadline. This timeline allows sufficient time for individuals to prepare and file their tax returns accurately.
Consequences of Late Filing for Employers
The CRA imposes significant penalties on employers who fail to distribute T4 slips by the deadline. These penalties begin at $25 per day late, with a minimum penalty of $100 and a maximum of $7,500. For the 2025 tax filing season (covering 2024 income), the CRA granted a one-week extension due to technical difficulties, allowing penalties to be waived for T4s filed by March 7, 2025.
When must T4s be issued in Canada?
Not all income earners receive T4 slips, as their issuance depends on specific criteria established by the CRA. A T4 slip must be completed for each individual who received remuneration during the year if:
- CPP/QPP contributions, EI premiums, income tax, or Quebec PPIP premiums were deducted from the remuneration, or
- The remuneration exceeded $500
There is a notable exception for taxable group term life insurance benefits, which always require a T4 regardless of the amount of total remuneration paid during the year. For former employees or retirees receiving such benefits, a T4A slip is required instead.
Source: T4 slip – Information for employers, canada.ca
How Do You Understand Your T4, Box by Box?
The T4 slip contains numerous boxes, each conveying specific financial information relevant to your tax situation. Understanding these boxes is essential for accurate tax filing.
The following boxes represent the core information most commonly referenced when filing taxes:
| Box Number | Description | Tax Line (where applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Box 14 | Employment income | Line 10100 |
| Box 16/17 | Employee’s CPP/QPP contributions | Line 30800 and Line 22215 |
| Box 18 | Employee’s EI contributions | Line 31200 |
| Box 20 | RPP contributions | Line 20700 |
| Box 22 | Income tax deducted | Line 43700 |
| Box 40 | Taxable benefits and allowances | Included in Box 14 |
| Box 46 | Charitable donations | Line 34900 |
| Box 85 | Employee-paid premiums for private health service plans | Line 33099 |
Beyond the essentials, several other boxes provide important information:
- Box 10: Province of employment
- Box 12: Social Insurance Number
- Box 24: EI insurable earnings
- Box 26: CPP/QPP pensionable earnings
- Box 28: CPP/QPP, EI, and PPIP exemptions
- Box 44: Union Dues (Line 21200)
- Box 45: Employer-offered dental benefits
- Box 52: Pension adjustment (Line 20600)
Source: T4 Slip Box Information, oracle.com
How Do Employers Give T4 Slips to Employees?
Employers have multiple options for distributing T4 slips, ensuring that employees have various options for obtaining this essential tax document.
Physical Distribution
Traditionally, employers distribute T4 slips directly to employees using one of these approved methods: Mail to the employee’s last known address, In-person delivery, Electronic delivery through a secure employer portal (without requiring consent), or Email (requires prior written or electronic consent).
Employers must ensure their systems meet CRA security standards for electronic delivery. However, employees can still request paper copies, and employers must accommodate this preference.
Electronic Distribution Options
As digital transformation continues to reshape tax administration, electronic T4 access has become increasingly common through:
- Employer Portals: Many companies now provide secure online access to T4s and other employment documents through employee portals or HR systems.
- CRA My Account: This secure online portal allows you to access current and past T4 slips that have been filed with the CRA. Setting up CRA My Account requires:
- Your Social Insurance Number
- Date of birth
- Current postal or province code
- Information from a previous tax return
T4 slips typically become available in CRA My Account by mid-March, making this a reliable backup option if you don’t receive your T4 directly from your employer.
How to Get Your Past T4 Slips?
Besides CRA My Account, you can contact the human resources department of former employers to get your past T4s. Most companies maintain payroll records for at least 6 years to comply with CRA requirements and can provide duplicate T4s upon request.
If other methods fail, you can request past T4 information directly from the CRA by:
- Calling the tax information phone service at 1-800-959-8281
- Submitting a written request for information through My Account
- Visiting a local CRA office with proper identification
Be prepared to verify your identity when requesting tax information through any of these channels.
T4 vs. Other T-Slips in Canada
The T4 represents one component of Canada’s comprehensive system of tax information slips, each designed to report different types of income.
The Canadian tax system use numerous specialized slips to report various income types:
| T-Slip | Purpose |
|---|---|
| T3 | Statement of trust income allocations and designations |
| T4A | Statement of pension, retirement, annuity, or other income |
| T4A(P) | Statement of CPP/QPP benefits |
| T4A(OAS) | Statement of Old Age Security benefits |
| T4RSP | Statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan income |
| T4RIF | Statement of income from a Registered Retirement Income Fund |
| T5 | Statement of investment income |
| T4E | Statement of Employment Insurance and other benefits |
What unites these diverse slips is their dual reporting function: copies go to both the income recipient and the CRA, creating a verifiable record for tax assessment.
Source: Tax slips, canada.ca
The Bottom Line
Understanding how to interpret the T4 slip document, knowing when and how to obtain it, and recognizing its relationship to other tax slips are essential skills for Canadian taxpayers. Four key points to remember:
- T4s report income received in the calendar year, not when earned
- Employers must distribute T4s by the last day of February
- Access is available through employers or CRA My Account
- Electronic filing is now mandatory for employers issuing 6 or more slips
By thoroughly understanding the T4 system, Canadians can ensure accurate tax filing, maximize eligible deductions, and maintain proper compliance with Canadian tax law.
Whether you’re an employee receiving a T4 or an employer responsible for issuing them, this knowledge forms the foundation for effective tax management.
FAQs on T4 Slips
What if my employer doesn't issue my T4?
If you haven't received your T4 by early March, first contact your employer's payroll or human resources department. If they're unresponsive or unable to provide your T4, you can: 1. Access it through CRA My Account (if the employer has filed it). 2. File a complaint with the CRA, which may contact the employer. 3. Estimate your income and deductions using your final pay stub when filing your tax return, noting that it's based on estimates.
What if there's a mistake on my T4?
If you identify errors on your T4 slip, contact your employer immediately to request a corrected slip. If the employer agrees there's an error, they should issue an amended T4. If they refuse or are unresponsive, contact the CRA for assistance. If the correction won't be made before the tax filing deadline, file using the information you have and amend your return when the corrected T4 becomes available
What are the filing requirements for employers?
Employers must complete T4 slips for each eligible employee by February 28th (or next business day if it falls on a weekend), distribute two copies to each employee, submit all T4s and the T4 Summary to the CRA, and file electronically if preparing 6 or more T4 slips (mandatory as of January 1, 2024). Electronic filing options include CRA's T4 Web Forms (for up to 100 slips) or commercial tax preparation software for larger employer.
How does the CPP election to stop contributing affect my T4?
CPP recipients aged 65-70 can elect to stop contributing to CPP by completing form CPT30. In the year of the election, box 28 on the T4 (CPP/QPP exempt) should remain empty, as the exemption applies only from the month following the election forward.
