How to Get Your T4 Slip and What to Do If It’s Missing

A T4 slip, formally known as the Statement of Remuneration Paid, is a document issued by employers in Canada. It provides a summary of an individual’s employment income and deductions withheld during a tax year. This includes details such as wages, salaries, bonuses, taxable benefits, and contributions made to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax. The T4 slip serves a purpose in the Canadian tax system by ensuring accurate reporting of income and deductions to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a document for individuals when preparing and filing their annual income tax returns, as it reflects their earnings and taxes paid.

Obtaining Your T4 Slip

Employers are legally obligated to issue T4 slips to their employees by the last day of February following the calendar year. Common methods for receiving a T4 slip include delivery by postal mail to the employee’s last known address, electronic distribution through secure employee portals, or sometimes direct pickup. If the deadline passes and a T4 slip has not been received, the immediate course of action should be to contact the employer directly.

Requesting a T4 Slip

If a T4 slip was not received by the deadline, or if it has been lost or is otherwise unavailable through standard delivery, contacting the employer is the primary step. Individuals should reach out to their current or former employer’s payroll or human resources department to request a copy. When making this request, provide specific personal information for identity verification and to locate the record. This typically includes your full name, Social Insurance Number (SIN), current address, and the specific period of employment for which the T4 slip is needed.

Employers are generally required to retain records for several years, making it possible to obtain copies of past T4 slips. In situations where an employer is unresponsive, no longer in business, or cannot provide the T4 slip, individuals will need to obtain the information directly from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Accessing T4 Information Online

Individuals can access their T4 information directly through the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online services. The CRA My Account portal is a secure online platform where taxpayers can view their tax information, including T4 slips, for various tax years. T4 data is typically made available on My Account by mid-March, after employers have filed the slips with the CRA.

Another tool is the CRA’s Auto-fill My Return service, which allows individuals to import their T4 information directly into certified tax software. This service streamlines the tax preparation process by populating relevant fields automatically, reducing manual data entry and errors. Accessing T4 information through CRA online channels is useful if an employer’s copy is delayed or lost.