T4A slip redesign

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has redesigned the T4A slip to simplify reporting requirements, to reduce the burden for the filer, and to increase data quality. The slip has been converted to a generic style similar to the T4 slip. The 2010 version of the T4A slip reflects the redesigned look and will accommodate T4A reporting requirements for all tax years.

When to use the new slip
Retiring allowance amounts
Electronic filing
Amendments
New T4A codes for 2011

When to use the new slip
You can now use the redesigned T4A slip to report T4A information.

Retiring allowance amounts
The CRA has analyzed the reporting of these amounts and is moving the reporting requirement from the T4A slip to the T4 slip. This will reduce the burden of filing both a T4A slip and a T4 slip for the same taxpayer. Currently, these amounts are reported on the T4A slip in the following boxes:

• Box 26, Eligible retiring allowances;
• Box 27, Non-eligible retiring allowances;
• Footnote code 14, Indian (exempt income) - eligible retiring allowances; and
• Footnote code 14, Indian (exempt income) - non-eligible retiring allowances.

This is a tax year specific change.

• For tax year 2010 and subsequent years, report the above types of income on the T4 slip; and
• For tax year 2009 and prior years, report on the T4A slip (amendments and late-filed returns).

Reporting on the T4 slip will be in the "Other information" area and the codes to use will be:

• Code 66, Eligible retiring allowances;
• Code 67, Non-eligible retiring allowances;
• Code 68, Indian (exempt income) - eligible retiring allowances; and
• Code 69, Indian (exempt income) - non-eligible retiring allowances.

Retiring allowances are not considered to be pensionable or insurable earnings and are not to be included in Box 14.

Use the new T4A slip, after 2010, to report amounts from 2009 or earlier. Reporting on the T4A slip will be in the "Other information" area using the following codes:

• Box 026, Eligible retiring allowances;
• Box 027 Non-eligible retiring allowances;
• Box 142, Indian (exempt income) - eligible retiring allowances; and
• Box 143, Indian (exempt income) - non-eligible retiring allowances.

Electronic filing
The XML amount tags that are currently in use will continue to be valid during 2011. The footnote code tags will no longer be required. The retiring allowance amount tags will be taxation year dependant. The new XML tags will be:

• Fees for services
  <FEE_OR_OTH_SRVC_AMT></FEE_OR_OTH_SRVC_AMT>
  
  
• Labour Adjustment Benefits Act and Appropriation Act <LBR_ADJ_BEN_APRPT_ACT_AMT></LBR_ADJ_BEN_APRPT_ACT_AMT>
  
  
• SUBP qualified under the Income Tax Act
  <SUBP_QLF_AMT></SUBP_QLF_AMT>
  
  
• Cash award or prize from payer
  <CSH_AWRD_PZE_PAYR_AMT></CSH_AWRD_PZE_PAYR_AMT>
  
  
• Bankruptcy settlement
  <BKCY_STTL_AMT></BKCY_STTL_AMT>
  
  
• Recipient-paid premiums for private health services plans <RCPNT_PAY_PREM_PHSP_AMT></RCPNT_PAY_PREM_PHSP_AMT>
  
  
• RESP accumulated income payments paid to other <RESP_AIP_OTH_AMT></RESP_AIP_OTH_AMT>

We have added two tags to the summary reporting:

• Total fees for services - accumulated total of recipients' fees for services
  <RPT_TOT_FEE_SRVC_AMT></RPT_TOT_FEE_SRVC_AMT>
  
  
• Total Other information amounts - accumulated total of all other amounts
  - total does not include boxes 016, 018, 020, 022, 024, 028, 030, 032, 034, 040, 042, 048, or non-financial boxes 014 and 036
  <RPT_TOT_OTH_INFO_AMT></RPT_TOT_OTH_INFO_AMT>

Amendments
If you need to amend T4A information on a slip that you have already filed during 2010, use the new T4A slip and codes. This applies to all tax years.

New T4A codes for 2011