If you worked in Canada this year, you will receive a T4 slip from your employer. It is one of the most important documents you need to file your taxes — and understanding what each box means makes the whole process much easier.
A T4 slip — officially called a Statement of Remuneration Paid — is a document your employer must provide to you and to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It summarizes your total employment income for the year and all the amounts deducted from your pay. If you worked for more than one employer, you will receive a T4 from each one.
Your employer must issue your T4 by the last day of February for the previous tax year. So for income earned in 2024, you receive your T4 by February 28, 2025. If you have not received it by then, contact your employer first. If they cannot provide it, you can request a copy through My Account on the CRA website.
Box 14 shows your total employment income — the full amount you earned before any deductions. Box 22 shows income tax deducted — the amount your employer withheld for taxes throughout the year. Box 16 shows your CPP contributions to the Canada Pension Plan. Box 18 shows your EI premiums paid toward Employment Insurance. Box 24 shows your EI insurable earnings. Box 26 shows your CPP pensionable earnings.
When you file your tax return, you enter the information from your T4 into your tax software or form. The amounts in Box 22 represent tax already paid — if more was withheld than you owe, you receive a refund. If less was withheld, you pay the difference. Most newcomers with a single T4 and no other income receive a refund because they also qualify for credits like the GST/HST credit and basic personal amount.
Contact your employer to request a replacement. Most employers can resend it electronically. You can also log into My Account at canada.ca — if your employer submitted the T4 to the CRA electronically, a copy is available there. Never file your tax return without including all your T4 slips.
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