Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Canada T4 Slip Explained 2025

Your T4 slip (Statement of Remuneration Paid) is the most important tax document you receive as a Canadian employee. Your employer is required to issue it by the last day of February each year. Understanding every box on your T4 ensures you file your taxes correctly and claim every benefit you are entitled to.

When Do You Receive Your T4?

Employers must issue T4 slips to employees by February 28 (or the last day of February). You should receive a T4 for every job you held during the prior tax year. If you had multiple employers, you will have multiple T4 slips — all must be reported on your tax return.

Your employer may provide your T4 as a paper copy, by email, or via an employee portal. You can also access T4 slips through CRA My Account if your employer has filed them electronically.

Key Boxes on the T4 Slip

Box 14 — Employment Income

This is your total employment income for the year, including salary, wages, tips, bonuses, and most taxable benefits. This is the number that goes on Line 10100 of your tax return.

Box 16 — Employee's CPP Contributions

Canada Pension Plan contributions deducted from your pay. These are used to calculate your CPP tax credit on your return. In 2024, the maximum employee CPP contribution is $3,867.50 on earnings up to the Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings of $68,500.

Box 17 — Employee's QPP Contributions

For Quebec employees: Quebec Pension Plan contributions instead of CPP. Quebec has its own pension system.

Box 18 — Employee's EI Premiums

Employment Insurance premiums deducted from your paycheque. In 2024, the employee EI rate is 1.66% on insurable earnings up to $63,200, for a maximum premium of $1,049.12. These generate an EI tax credit on your return.

Box 22 — Income Tax Deducted

Total federal and provincial income tax withheld from your pay during the year. This is what you have already prepaid toward your annual tax bill. If the amount in Box 22 is greater than your actual tax owed, you receive a refund.

Box 24 — EI Insurable Earnings

Total earnings subject to EI premiums. This may differ from Box 14 if some income types are not insurable.

Box 26 — CPP/QPP Pensionable Earnings

Total earnings subject to CPP or QPP contributions. Again, this may differ from Box 14 in some situations.

Box 40 — Other Taxable Allowances and Benefits

Taxable benefits provided by your employer such as a company car, group life insurance premiums, or personal use of employer property. These amounts are already included in Box 14.

Box 44 — Union Dues

Union dues deducted from your pay. You can deduct these on your tax return to reduce your taxable income.

Box 46 — Charitable Donations

Charitable donations made through payroll deductions. These can be claimed as a charitable donation credit on your return.

Box 52 — Pension Adjustment

If you are a member of an employer pension plan, this box reduces your RRSP contribution room for the following year. The pension adjustment accounts for benefits accruing in your employer plan.

Box 85 — Employee-Paid Premiums for Private Health Insurance

Optional reporting box for employee-paid group benefit premiums. These may be eligible as medical expenses.

What to Do With Your T4

1. Check that your name, address, and Social Insurance Number (SIN) are correct
2. Verify the income amount (Box 14) matches your records
3. Enter the information into your tax software or give it to your tax preparer
4. Keep a copy for at least 6 years after filing — the CRA can reassess returns going back that far

What If Your T4 Is Wrong?

If you notice an error on your T4, contact your employer's payroll department immediately. They can issue an amended T4 (T4 Amendment). Do not file your return with incorrect information. If your employer is slow to correct it, you can still file by estimating amounts and later amend your return once the corrected T4 is issued.

Multiple T4 Slips

If you worked multiple jobs, you will receive a T4 from each employer. All T4 slips must be reported. Your income from all employers is combined to determine your total tax owing. It is common to owe additional tax if you had multiple employers and neither withheld enough tax individually.