Many Canadian seniors find the T4A(OAS) slip confusing. This causes many to miss out on benefits they deserve. Over 6.5 million Canadians received OAS pension in 2021, making proper T4A(OAS) reporting critical.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the T4A(OAS). It covers what it is, who gets it, what information it contains, how to access it, and how to use it correctly when filing your tax slips. Understanding your T4A(OAS) is key to getting the full OAS benefits you’re entitled to.
What is the T4A(OAS) Slip?
The T4A(OAS) slip reports the amount of Old Age Security (OAS) pension income you received in the previous tax year, along with the income tax that was deducted from your payments.
Specifically, the T4A(OAS) contains the following key details:
- Your total taxable and non-taxable OAS pension amounts for the year
- Any OAS benefits or supplements you received, such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Any repayments or recoveries made for overpayments of OAS benefits
- The income tax is deducted from your OAS pension
The T4A(OAS) helps you accurately report your OAS income when filing your personal tax return and determine any tax owing or refund due.
Knowing what’s included on your T4A(OAS) slip is just one part of the puzzle—it’s also helpful to know when you’ll receive it and how to access it early. See the full list of OAS payment dates for 2024 and 2025 for details.
Who Gets a T4A(OAS) Slip?
The T4A(OAS) slip is issued to Canadian residents who are aged 65 or older and receive OAS pension payments from the federal government.
You will automatically receive a T4A(OAS) slip if:
- Are age 65+ and receive the standard OAS pension
- Are between the ages of 60-64 and receive the Allowance for low-income spouses/common-law partners of OAS pension recipients
- Are a widow/widower between the ages of 60-64 and receive the Allowance for Survivors
- Receive any OAS supplements, such as the GIS
In Quebec, you will receive both a T4A(OAS) and an RL-1 slip for your OAS benefits.
When is a T4A(OAS) slip issued?
Service Canada issues the T4A(OAS) slip for the previous tax year by the end of February each year. For example, you would receive your 2024 T4A(OAS) by the end of February 2025.
While mailed copies may arrive later, you can view your T4A(OAS) online starting February 1 if you register for a My Service Canada Account. This allows you to file your taxes earlier.
How to Get Your T4A(OAS) Slip
You have a few options to get your annual T4A(OAS) slip:
Online Access
Register for a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to view and print your T4A(OAS). You can access it online as of February 1 each year.
Mailed Copy
Your T4A(OAS) will be automatically mailed to you by the end of February if you applied for OAS through a Service Canada office.
To receive a mailed copy in future years, select the “Tax slip mailing options” in your MSCA account and activate mail delivery by early January.
Call Service Canada
If you have not received your T4A(OAS) by early March, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to request a copy.
What Information Is on the T4A(OAS) Slip?
The T4A(OAS) contains several boxes with important details you’ll need for your personal tax return:
| Box | Description |
| 18 | Taxable OAS pension amount |
| 19 | Total gross OAS pension |
| 20 | Federal OAS benefits received |
| 21 | Repayment of federal OAS benefits |
| 22 | Federal income tax deducted |
| 23 | Quebec income tax deducted |
How to Use the T4A(OAS) When Filing Your Taxes
When tax time comes, follow these tips to file using your T4A(OAS) slip:
- Enter the amounts from each box on the corresponding lines and schedules of your tax return. Tax software like TurboTax can auto-fill this for you.
- Attach a copy of the T4A(OAS) to your return. Make sure your SIN is on the slip.
- Report any GIS or other OAS benefits received in Box 20 on Line 14600. This amount will be deducted on Line 25000, so it’s tax-free.
- If Box 21 shows a repayment of benefits, report it on Line 14600 as a negative amount. Deduct any qualifying repayment on Line 25000.
- Use Box 22 to claim your income tax deducted on Line 43700.
- Quebec residents report Box 23 on their provincial return.
- Double-check that all amounts from the T4A(OAS) are entered correctly before filing to avoid errors or processing delays.
Having a clear understanding of the T4A(OAS) slip can help ensure you receive all the Old Age Security pension benefits you are eligible for. Refer to this guide each year when you need help accessing your T4A(OAS) and using the information correctly when completing your tax return. Don’t leave money on the table – ensure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to.
Tax time can be confusing with all the different slips you might get. To help you out, we’ve made a quick list of the most common ones. You can check them out below:
FAQs related to T4A(OAS) Slip
What is the T4A(OAS) slip used for?
The T4A(OAS) slip reports the total Old Age Security (OAS) pension income you received from the government for the tax year. It is used to declare your OAS income when you file your personal tax return.
When do I get my T4A(OAS) slip?
Service Canada mails T4A(OAS) slips by the end of February each year for the previous tax year. For example, you would receive your 2022 T4A(OAS) slip before the end of February 2023.
Why are there two amounts on my T4A(OAS)?
The top amount is your total OAS pension received before deductions. The lower amount is the net OAS pension you received after deductions for tax, SIN recovery, and voluntary repayments.
Do I have to declare my OAS benefits as income?
Yes, your OAS benefits are considered taxable income, so you must report the amount from your T4A(OAS) on your personal tax return.
Is there a penalty for not reporting T4A(OAS) income?
You may face penalties or interest charges from the CRA if you do not accurately report your T4A(OAS) income on your tax return.
How is my OAS pension calculated?
Your OAS payment is calculated based on how long you have lived in Canada after age 18. Contact Service Canada for your exact calculation details.