T4 explained
What to do when it arrives, how to read the key boxes, and when to expect your refund.
Updated: February 2026
5 min read
FinMaple Team
Verified by FinMaple methodology
FinMaple Tax Snapshot
The T4 summarizes your work year in three key numbers. Here's what a typical T4 looks like for a worker in Canada:
Box 14
Total income
$52,000
Your gross annual salary from this job
Box 22
Tax withheld
$8,940
What you already paid in taxes
Box 18
EI Premiums
$1,002
Employment insurance contributions
If Box 22 is greater than what you actually owe based on your total income, you get a refund.
How to read a T4: all the boxes
Each box on the T4 reports a different piece of data. These are the ones that matter most for your return:
Box 14
Employment income
Your total gross income from this job
Your total gross income from this job
Impact on your return: Defines your tax bracket
Box 22
Income tax deducted
Income tax already withheld
Income tax already withheld
Impact on your return: Determines refund or balance owing
Box 18 y 24
EI Premiums
Employment insurance contributions
Employment insurance contributions
Impact on your return: Employment Insurance (EI)
Box 16
CPP contributions
Canada Pension Plan contributions
Canada Pension Plan contributions
Impact on your return: Public pension
Box 20
RPP Contributions
Your employer's pension plan
Your employer's pension plan
Impact on your return: Employer pension
Box 46
Charitable donations
Charitable donations via payroll
Charitable donations via payroll
Impact on your return: May increase your refund
Will I get a refund or do I owe?
Your T4 determines the outcome of your return. The most important calculation is simple. Remember that if you contributed to your RRSP before the deadline, that can increase your refund — check our guide about the March 2026 RRSP deadline so you don't miss that deduction.
+
Box 22 > what you owed → Refund
If more tax was withheld than necessary, the CRA returns the difference to you.
−
Box 22 < what you owed → You owe
You'll need to pay the difference before April 30. Programs like Wealthsimple Tax calculate this automatically.
Quebec: T4 + Relevé 1 (RL-1)
In Quebec, workers receive two tax documents. Understand the difference. For a complete guide on the dual tax system, read our article about the differences between CRA and Revenu Quebec.
Federal
CRA
Document: T4
Reports your income, taxes withheld, CPP and EI to the federal government. It's the basis of your return across all of Canada.
Provincial (Quebec)
Revenu Québec
Document: RL-1
Box E shows the provincial tax withheld. Required for your Revenu Québec return in addition to the federal T4.
In Quebec you need both documents to complete your return. Software like Wealthsimple Tax processes both automatically. For the full step-by-step on filing in Quebec, check our tax guide for newcomers in Quebec 2026.
What if I don't receive my T4?
Your employer has until February 28 to send you the T4. If you don't receive it, follow these steps:
Check your employer's digital portal (ADP, Dayforce, Ceridian) — many companies post it there first.
CRA My Account on canada.ca has a digital copy of your T4 starting mid-March.
If it's March 1 and it hasn't arrived, contact your employer immediately — receiving the T4 is your legal right.
Never file without the official T4 — a calculation based on estimates can cause problems with the CRA.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about the T4 for newcomers in Canada:
Does the T4 include tips?
Yes, if they were officially reported by your employer. Unreported tips will not appear on the T4.
Do I have to file if I only worked 2 months in Canada?
Yes. Any income in Canada must be reported regardless of duration. You may also receive a refund because taxes were withheld based on an annualized income higher than what you actually earned.
What if my T4 has an error?
You must request an Amended T4 from your employer. Do not file with an incorrect T4 — it can cause problems with the CRA.
Can I file without the T4?
It's not recommended. Wait until the first week of March — most T4s appear digitally on CRA My Account before arriving by mail.
Is the T4 the same in all provinces?
The federal T4 is the same across all of Canada. Quebec is the only province that adds the provincial RL-1 as the equivalent of the T4 for Revenu Québec.
File your taxes for free
These platforms process your T4 automatically and calculate whether you'll get a refund:
Wealthsimple Tax
100% free. Simple interface, ideal for standard employment returns. Available online with no downloads.
Free · Online · Quebec support
TurboTax Canada
Free version for simple situations (T4 + RRSP). Step-by-step guide. Includes Quebec support (TP-1).
Free (basic) · Guided · Quebec TP-1
M
Is this your first time filing in Canada?
Use the Maya button (bottom right) and ask what documents you need for your situation.
Do you live in Quebec?
Don't forget to claim your Solidarity Tax Credit — many newcomers miss this money because they don't know it exists.
Official sources
Updated: February 2026 · Content for newcomers in Canada
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