You open your mail or email and see a form labelled “T4A.” Maybe it’s from a company you did freelance work for, a school, or an organization you helped out last year.
Your first thought might be:
“What is this, and what am I supposed to do with it?”
If you’re used to T4 slips from employers, a T4A can feel unfamiliar. This guide explains, in plain language, what a T4A is, why you received it, and how it fits into your personal tax return.
(This is general information, not personalized tax advice. For your specific return, consult a tax professional or CRA.)
What a T4A slip is (and isn’t)
A T4A slip is an “information return” that tells the CRA—and you—that you received certain types of income that aren’t regular employment income.
Common examples of income that might appear on a T4A include:
• Self-employment or contractor fees paid by certain organizations
• Honoraria or fees for speaking, coaching, or performing services
• Some scholarships, bursaries, or research grants
• Other income types defined by CRA for T4A boxes
T4A *isn’t* a bill or a request for payment. It’s a summary of income you already received, so you can report it correctly on your tax return.
Why you received a T4A
You likely received a T4A because:
• An organization paid you for services and is required (or has chosen) to report those payments to CRA.
• You received a type of income that CRA tracks via T4A slips.
• The payer is following its own compliance and recordkeeping process.
Even if you didn’t know a T4A was coming, the payer may be obligated or strongly encouraged to issue it.
How T4A income fits into your tax return
Where you report T4A income on your return depends on the nature of the income.
Examples:
• Contractor or self-employment income
– If you did work as an independent contractor or sole proprietor, the T4A amount may be part of your self-employment income.
– You’d typically report that income on a business or professional activities form (for example, T2125), along with your related expenses.
• Scholarships or bursaries
– Certain scholarship or bursary income reported on T4A slips may be taxable or non-taxable depending on your situation (for example, full-time student status).
– You’d follow CRA rules for where to report this income and whether any amount is exempt.
• Other income categories
– Some T4A boxes map to “other income” lines on your return, based on CRA instructions.
The slip itself doesn’t tell you *how* to report the income, only that certain amounts exist. Tax software or a professional can help map each box to the correct line on your return.
What if you did other work without T4A slips?
A common confusion is thinking that:
• “If I got a T4A, I only report that amount—nothing else.”
In reality:
• You must report **all** your income, whether you received slips or not.
• If you did additional freelance or business work that didn’t generate a T4A, you still report it, using your own records.
• Think of T4As as pieces of the puzzle, not the entire picture.
CRA can compare what payers report on slips with your own tax return, so it’s important that all relevant T4A amounts are included.
What to do when you receive a T4A
Here’s a simple checklist:
1. Check your information
• Is your name spelled correctly?
• Is the slip clearly yours (not mixed up with a family member or someone with a similar name)?
2. Check the payer’s name
• Do you recognize the organization?
• Can you connect the slip to work, a program, or payments you remember receiving?
3. Check the amounts and boxes
• Do the amounts look reasonable based on what you were paid?
• If something looks off, compare it to your own records (invoices, pay statements, bank deposits).
4. Keep it with your tax documents
• Store the T4A with your other slips (T4, T5, etc.) so it’s ready when you file.
• If you use a tax preparer, give them a copy.
5. Ask questions if needed
• If you don’t understand why you received the slip or think it’s wrong, contact the payer first.
• They can explain how they calculated the amount and issue a corrected slip if necessary.
What if the slip arrives after you file?
Sometimes T4A slips arrive late. If you’ve already filed your return and then receive a T4A that wasn’t included, you may need to:
• Compare the slip to what you already reported.
• If income was missed or understated, file an adjustment (for example, using a T1 adjustment form or online service) so your return matches the slip.
• Your tax professional can guide you on the simplest way to correct your return.
What if you think the slip is wrong?
If the T4A doesn’t match your records—for example, the amount looks too high or includes income from multiple years—don’t ignore the problem.
• Start by contacting the payer and asking them to walk through their calculation.
• Provide your own records if you see a discrepancy.
• If there truly is an error, they may need to issue an amended T4A.
You still need to file your return on time, but you can note that a correction is pending and adjust later if necessary.
How tools like T4ASlip help on the payer side
While you may never see it, many organizations use tools like T4ASlip to:
• Keep track of who they paid and how much.
• Generate T4A slips in a consistent, CRA-aligned way.
• Reduce mistakes that could otherwise trickle down to you.
When payers use structured systems, recipients are more likely to receive accurate slips, on time—which makes your own filing much easier.
Key points to remember
• A T4A slip is a summary of certain types of income you received—usually non-employment income.
• Receiving a T4A doesn’t change whether the income is taxable; it reminds you (and CRA) that it exists.
• You must report all relevant income, whether it appears on slips or only in your own records.
• If a T4A looks wrong, start by talking to the payer and, if needed, get help from a tax professional.
Keep your T4A slips organized, compare them with your records, and use them as building blocks for an accurate, complete tax return.