T4 Slip Explained 2025 — Every Box Decoded

The T4 slip, officially called the Statement of Remuneration Paid, is the most common tax slip Canadians receive. Your employer issues it to report your employment income and deductions for the year. Understanding each box helps you file an accurate return and catch any errors.

When You Receive Your T4

Employers must issue T4 slips by the last day of February following the tax year (rolling to the next business day if that falls on a weekend — for the 2025 tax year the deadline is March 2, 2026). Many employers now provide electronic T4s through payroll portals. You can also access your T4 through CRA My Account once your employer has filed it. Employers filing the slips should see the T4 Summary guide for the reconciliation form and electronic-filing rules.

Key Boxes on the T4

Each box below links to a dedicated deep-dive explaining the CRA meaning, the T1 line it flows to, what to reconcile against your pay stubs, and common pitfalls. For the full set of 32 boxes including Other Information codes 30–87, see the T4 Slip Guide hub.

• Box 14 — Employment income: Your total gross employment income before deductions. Flows to line 10100 of your return.
• Box 16 — Employee’s CPP contributions: Canada Pension Plan contributions deducted from your pay. Paired with Box 16A (CPP2) for earnings above the YMPE.
• Box 17 — Employee’s QPP contributions: Quebec Pension Plan contributions (for Quebec residents).
• Box 18 — Employee’s EI premiums: Employment Insurance premiums deducted.
• Box 20 — RPP contributions: Registered Pension Plan contributions, deductible at line 20700.
• Box 22 — Income tax deducted: The total federal and provincial income tax withheld by your employer.
• Box 24 — EI insurable earnings: The earnings on which EI premiums were calculated.
• Box 26 — CPP/QPP pensionable earnings: The earnings on which CPP or QPP contributions were calculated.
• Box 40 — Taxable allowances and benefits: Non-cash taxable benefits (company car, group life insurance, parking, etc.) — the sub-codes 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 39 break down exactly what is included.
• Box 44 — Union dues: Union or professional dues, deductible at line 21200.
• Box 52 — Pension Adjustment: The deemed value of pension benefits accrued — reduces next year’s RRSP deduction room.

Check your payroll deductions Payroll Deductions CRA payroll deductions (PDOC) — CPP, EI, income tax per pay with YTD tracking Open →

Common Taxable Benefits (Box 40)

Your employer may report taxable benefits that increase your Box 14 amount. Common examples include:

• Personal use of a company vehicle (reported in Box 34)
• Employer-paid group life insurance premiums, which the CRA treats as a taxable benefit (often in Box 40 directly)
• Board and lodging (Box 30) or special work site travel (Box 31)
• Interest-free or low-interest employee loans (Box 36)
• Stock option benefits (Box 38 with Box 39 securities deduction)

What to Check

When you receive your T4, verify the following:

1. Your name and SIN are correct
2. Box 14 matches your final pay stub’s year-to-date gross
3. Box 22 matches the total tax deducted shown on your pay stubs
4. Taxable benefits are reasonable and match what your employer communicated

Multiple T4 Slips

If you had more than one employer during the year, you will receive a T4 from each. Report all of them on your tax return. A common issue arises with CPP and EI: each employer deducts as if they are your only employer, so you may have overpaid. You claim any overpayment on your return (EI on line 45000, CPP on line 44800 using Schedule 8), and the CRA refunds it or uses it to reduce your balance owing.

Missing Your T4?

The CRA can only show a slip after your employer has filed it, so an employer that files late means a slip that appears late. If your T4 has not arrived, work through these in order:

1. Ask your employer or payroll provider for a copy. Most can reissue a PDF from their payroll portal.
2. Check CRA My Account under tax information slips. A slip shows there once the employer has sent it to the CRA, for the current or a previous year.
3. Estimate from your pay stubs if you still cannot get it in time to file. Use your last pay stub’s year-to-date figures for income and deductions, and include a note with the employer’s name and address, the type of income, and what you are doing to get the slip. If you file electronically, keep the stubs in case the CRA asks; on a paper return, attach copies.

Filing on time with an estimate beats filing late: a balance owing still starts collecting late-filing penalties after the deadline, whether or not your slip arrived.

What If Your T4 Is Wrong

Contact your employer first and ask them to issue an amended T4. If they refuse or cannot be reached, you can still file using the correct amounts and attach a note explaining the discrepancy. Report the issue to the CRA if it remains unresolved.

Related Slips

Other common tax slips include T4A (pension, retirement, and other income), T4E (Employment Insurance benefits), T5 (investment income), and T3 (trust income). Each reports different types of income.

Sources

• CRA — T4 slip information
• CRA — Line 10100, Employment income