CRA forms
The T4 Slip Explained, Box by Box
March 1, 2027to file 2026 T4 slips and the summary with the CRA and give employees their copies.
Sources checked October 20263 min read
Key points
- Issued by every employer for every employee paid in the year
- Box 14 is employment income; boxes 16 to 22 are the amounts withheld
- Due March 1, 2027 for the 2026 year
- More than five slips must be filed electronically
Who issues a T4
An employer issues a T4 slip, Statement of Remuneration Paid, to every employee it paid salary, wages, tips, commissions, bonuses or taxable benefits in the calendar year. The employer files the slips with a T4 Summary, sends the CRA the information, and gives each employee their copy by the same deadline.
The deadline is the last day of February after the year, which for 2026 slips means March 1, 2027, because February 28, 2027 is a Sunday. Anyone filing more than five information returns of a type for a year has to file them electronically, through the CRA's online service or payroll software, or face a penalty.
What the main boxes mean
Most of what an employee needs is in a handful of boxes. The rest records special situations.
| Box | What it shows |
|---|---|
| 14 | Employment income: salary, wages, bonuses, vacation pay and most taxable benefits |
| 16 and 16A | The employee's CPP contributions, and the second, higher tier of CPP contributions |
| 17 and 17A | The same for the Quebec Pension Plan, for work in Quebec |
| 18 | The employee's EI premiums |
| 22 | Income tax deducted |
| 24 | Earnings insurable for EI |
| 26 | Earnings pensionable for CPP or QPP |
| 29 | An employment code for special cases, such as placement agency workers |
| 44 | Union dues |
| 45 | Whether the employee had access to employer offered dental care, as a code |
| 46 | Charitable donations made through payroll |
| 52 | The pension adjustment, which reduces the employee's RRSP room |
Benefits and the other information area
Taxable benefits are included in box 14 and also shown separately with a code in the other information area at the bottom of the slip, so the employee and the CRA can see what made up the total. A company car, a parking space, a gift card or an employer paid life insurance premium can all end up there.
Getting box 45 wrong is a newer, common error. It is mandatory, and it records whether the employee or their family could get dental coverage through the employer, which matters for the federal dental care plan.
Fixing a mistake
An error found after filing is corrected with an amended slip, not a new one, and the employee gets two copies of the amended slip. A late slip draws a penalty of at least $100, growing with the number of slips and the days late.
Quick answers
When are 2026 T4 slips due?
March 1, 2027, because the last day of February 2027 falls on a Sunday.
Do I have to file T4 slips electronically?
Yes, if you file more than five of them for the year. Filing more than five on paper draws a penalty.
Is box 45 optional?
No. Every T4 has to show a code in box 45 for access to employer offered dental care.
Related pages
Official sources
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Important. This article provides general educational information, not legal or tax advice for a specific business. Rules, administrative policies, rates and deadlines can change. Confirm your facts and current obligations with the responsible government agency and a qualified adviser.