CRA forms
The T4A Slip Explained: Pensions, Fees and Other Income
March 1, 2027to file 2026 T4A slips and the summary, and to give recipients their copies.
Sources checked October 20263 min read
Key points
- Reports pensions, lump sums, commissions, fees for services and other income
- Needed when payments to a recipient pass $500 in the year, or tax was withheld
- Fees for services go in box 048, without GST or HST
- Due March 1, 2027 for the 2026 year
Who issues a T4A
The T4A slip, Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income, covers payments that are not employment income: pensions and superannuation, lump sums, annuities, self employed commissions, research grants, fees and other amounts for services, and a long list of less common items. Pension plans and trustees issue many of them, but so do ordinary businesses that pay individuals and some corporations for services.
A slip is required when the total paid to a recipient in the calendar year is more than $500, or when any income tax was deducted from a payment, whatever the amount. A few payments have lower thresholds, such as RESP payments of $50 or more.
What the main boxes mean
Each type of payment has its own box, and the less common ones are reported with a code in the other information area.
| Box | What it shows |
|---|---|
| 016 | Pension or superannuation |
| 018 | Lump sum payments |
| 020 | Self employed commissions |
| 022 | Income tax deducted |
| 024 | Annuities |
| 048 | Fees for services, excluding GST, HST and PST |
| Other information | Coded amounts such as research grants, scholarships and death benefits |
Fees for services and box 048
Box 048 is the one most businesses meet. A business that pays fees for services reports them there, without the sales tax. The CRA has said it is generally not assessing penalties for a missing box 048, with one exception: from 2025, a trucking business that fails to report more than $500 a year in fees paid to a Canadian controlled private corporation in the trucking industry can be penalized.
A T4A is not the slip for every payment. A construction business paying subcontractors uses the T5018, payments to non residents go on an NR4 or T4A-NR, retiring allowances and tips go on a T4, and payments by federal departments for goods and services go on a T1204.
Deadlines and penalties
T4A slips are due on the last day of February after the year, which means March 1, 2027 for 2026. More than five slips have to be filed electronically, and late slips draw a penalty of at least $100.
Quick answers
Do I need a T4A for a contractor I paid?
If you paid them more than $500 in fees for services in the year, report it in box 048. A business whose main activity is construction uses the T5018 for subcontractors instead.
Is GST included in box 048?
No. Box 048 excludes GST, HST and PST.
When are 2026 T4A slips due?
March 1, 2027, the same day as T4 and T5 slips.
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.