What Is the TD1AB Alberta Tax Form?

The TD1AB, known as the Alberta Personal Tax Credits Return, is a form used by employers in Alberta to determine the correct amount of provincial income tax to deduct from an individual’s employment income or pension payments. It works alongside the federal TD1 Personal Tax Credits Return, which calculates federal tax deductions. This document tells your employer what provincial tax credits you are eligible to claim, which adjusts the amount of tax withheld from each paycheque.

The information on the TD1AB allows for a more accurate calculation of your tax liability throughout the year, helping to prevent a large tax bill or a significant refund when you file your annual income tax return. By claiming eligible provincial credits on this form, you reduce the amount of tax taken at the source.

When to Complete the TD1AB Form

An employee should complete a TD1AB form primarily when starting a new job with a new employer. This ensures that from the first pay period, the employer is deducting a reasonably accurate amount of provincial tax. Without a completed form, the employer is required by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to only apply the basic personal amount, which could result in higher-than-necessary tax deductions.

A new TD1AB form is also necessary whenever your personal circumstances change in a way that affects your eligibility for provincial tax credits. Significant life events such as getting married or entering a common-law partnership, having a child, or becoming a caregiver for a dependant with an infirmity may entitle you to claim new or different amounts. If a dependant for whom you were claiming credits no longer qualifies, you must file a new form within seven days of the change.

You might also choose to increase the amount of tax deducted. If you have other sources of income not subject to payroll deductions, you can request additional tax to be withheld from your pay by filling out the relevant section on the federal TD1 form. This voluntary withholding can help you avoid owing a large sum when you file your annual tax return.

Information for Completing the TD1AB

Before filling out the TD1AB, you must obtain the correct version for the current tax year, which is available from your employer or directly from the Canada Revenue Agency’s website. The form requires you to calculate your total claim amount by adding the values of the provincial tax credits you are eligible for. This involves a careful review of your personal situation against the criteria for each credit.

The basic personal amount that every person employed in Alberta can claim is $22,323 for 2025. If you will be 65 or older by December 31 of the tax year and your net income is below a specific threshold ($46,308 for 2025), you can claim the age amount. A partial claim is possible for those with income between the initial threshold and a higher one ($87,782 for 2025), calculated using a worksheet (TD1AB-WS).

You may be able to claim the spouse or common-law partner amount if you support your partner, they live with you, and their net income is below the basic personal amount. A similar claim, the amount for an eligible dependant, can be made if you do not have a spouse or partner but support a related dependant who lives with you and has a low net income.

You may also be eligible to claim a caregiver amount. For 2025, you can claim $12,922 for a parent or grandparent aged 65 or older, or for an infirm relative over 18 who lives with you and has a net income of $20,545 or less. A separate amount of $12,922 can be claimed for an infirm dependant age 18 or older whom you support, provided their net income is $8,536 or less. You cannot claim both of these credits for the same dependant.

If you are eligible for deductions or credits that are not listed on the form, such as tuition and education amounts, you will not claim them directly on the TD1AB. Instead, you can fill out Form T1213, Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source. If approved, the CRA will provide a letter of authority to your employer to reduce your tax deductions. You can claim unused federal tuition and education amounts from previous years, as well as amounts transferred from a spouse, common-law partner, or your child or grandchild. The disability amount can be claimed if you have an approved Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, on file with the CRA.

Submitting the Completed Form

Once you have filled out all the applicable lines on the front of the TD1AB and calculated your total claim amount, you must complete the certification section on the back. This involves signing and dating the form, certifying that the information provided is accurate and complete. This signature is a legal declaration and confirms your tax credit claims.

The signed and dated form should be given directly to your employer or the person responsible for payroll in your organization. You do not send this form to the Canada Revenue Agency; it is an internal document for your employer’s payroll system. Your employer uses the “Total Claim Amount” from line 11 of the form to configure their payroll software, which then determines the precise amount of provincial tax to withhold from your regular pay.

If you fail to provide a completed TD1AB, you will not benefit from any other provincial tax credits at the source, leading to more tax being deducted from your pay than might be necessary. While any overpayment would be refunded after you file your annual tax return, submitting the form ensures your take-home pay is more accurate throughout the year.