[?] Subscribe To The Bookkeeping Blog

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Home

Take A Tea Break With Me Today
The Site Map
The Blog
The Free Ezine

The Receipts Organization
The Suggestions
The Vehicle System
The Paperless System
The Proven System

The Compliance Taxes - Canada
The CRA Compliance
The Payroll Taxes
The GST HST
The T2125 Form
The CRA Tax

The Compliance Taxes - U.S.
The IRS Compliance
The IRS News
The Payroll Taxes

The Store Front

The Book Shoppe
The Freelancer
The Online Exams
The Basics
The Excel Lessons
The Forum
The Support

The Free Training

The Tips
The Practice
The Financials
The System
The Plan
The Help

The Back Office

Contact/Meet Me
Hire Me
Site Policies

T4 with Box 24 and 26

by Celik
(Burlington)

T4 slip - NEW RULES effective January 2012 for boxes 24 and 26

T4 slip - NEW RULES effective January 2012 for boxes 24 and 26

NEW RULES effective January 2012 for boxes 24 and 26.

Please note that CRA introduced new rules as a result of the changes to CPP. Boxes 24 and 26 must ALWAYS be completed now.

Enter the total amount up to the maximums for the year OR zero if exempt.

For Box 24 - EI insurable earnings, "do not include the unpaid portion of any earnings from insurable employment that you did not pay because of your bankruptcy, receivership, or non-payment of remuneration for which the employee has filed a complaint with the federal, provincial, or territorial labour authorities."

For more details on how to complete Box 24 - See Businesses> Payroll> Completing returns> T4> Completing the T4 slip> Box 24 EI insurable earnings.

For Box 26 - CPP pensionable earnings, "If you provide pensionable taxable benefits (non-cash) and no other remuneration is paid in a tax year (for example, an employee is on an unpaid leave of absence and the employer continues to provide benefits during the leave), enter "0" in box 26. For security option benefits, report the amount of the benefit in box 26 at all times. Do not code the slip CPP-exempt in box 28, since the employee may want to elect to pay CPP on the amount."

The CRA website details the types of box 14 employment income that must be subtracted and not included in box 26. In most cases, box 14 and 26 will be the same.

See Businesses> Payroll> Completing returns> T4> Completing the T4 slip> Box 26 CPP pensionable earnings for more details.

The following question and answer was from 2011, prior to the new rules coming into effect. Prior to January 2012, it was acceptable and normal to have boxes 24 and 26 on the T4 slip blank. The rest of the information in this post is still relevant.

I have my T4. However, box 24( EI insurable earnings) and 26 (CPP/QPP Pensianable earnings) have no numbers in them. It automatically comes up with the Box 14 figures when I enter it into the tax program.

Do I need to enter the same numbers as Box 14 or leave it empty when I am doing the tax return?

Please help me! Thanks



image of fancy scroll lines



Hi Celik,

If boxes 24 and 26 are blank it is because their values match box 14. In this instance, just enter whatever numbers are on your T4 slip and let the tax program calculate how to populate the figures on your tax schedules.










P.S. I would like to remind you there is a difference between information and advice. The general information provided in this post or on my site should not be construed as advice. You should not act or rely on this information without engaging professional advice specific to your situation prior to using this site content for any reason whatsoever.

Comments for
T4 with Box 24 and 26

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
T4 with Box 24 and 26
by: Anonymous

Hi Bookeeping Essentials,

If I override and remove the number on box 24 and 26 that comes up automatically on the tax return, I get a larger refund. Could you please explain to me why this happen? Is that way acceptable?

Thanks

Apr 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
If you are overriding, you are doing it wrong
by: Lake

As a general rule, if you are overriding any calculations in your tax program ... you are doing it wrong.

Tax software has generally paid computer programmers to code in all the tax rules. When an override is necessary ... the deduction is usually optional or an advance tax calculation.

Box 24 represents the amount of insurable earnings subject to the maximum limit used to calculate the employee's EI premiums. This means it is box 14 less any earnings that are not subject to EI premiums.

Box 26 represents the pensionable earnings subject to the maximum limit. This means it is box 14 less any earnings that are not subject to CPP contributions.

For most people, boxes 24 and 26 will match box 14. If the amounts do match box 14, they are generally left blank.

So what are some of the exceptions? Some examples for CPP contributions when the income is not pensionable are:

  • an employee is under 18 or over 70 years of age;

  • the employee receives a CPP retirement pension ... however this will be changing in 2012;

  • the employee received CPP disability pension;

  • any income or benefits listed in CRA's publication RC4120 chapter 2 of Employer's Guide - Payroll Deductions and Remittances.

Feb 18, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
HELP
by: Anonymous

I'm trying to do my T4's for the employees.

Box 24 is it the same as box 14?
And should 14 & 26 be the same?

I don't get the same from my simply accounting package (its a piece of poop!..I hate this software). My numbers are all squirrelly. I have to double check the calculations.

If I have an income of $14201.16 for Box 14

Box 24 is $ ??
Box 26 is $ ??

So frustrating. I appreciate your help!

Sandy



section divider



Check out this link on the CRA website.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/pyrll/rtrns/t4/slps/cmpltng-eng.html

It explains what goes in each box. The boxes usually are the same ... but not necessarily.


For example, it says that in box 24, "Do not include the unpaid portion of any earnings from insurable employment that you did not pay because of your bankruptcy, receivership, or non-payment of remuneration for which the employee has filed a complaint with the federal, provincial, or territorial labour authorities."


Check out box 26 instructions for the types of remuneration that could be in box 14 but not in box 26.

What makes you think that Simply Accounting is calculating the T4 slips incorrectly? Normally, if you use the software package properly, you should get the correct answer.

Feb 19, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Box 14 Blank
by: Anonymous

What if my employer put an amount on BOX 24 and 26 and left BOX 14 blank? Can I assume that it's the same?

Thanks.



section divider



I believe box 14 should be blank if there is an employment code (box 29) of :

11 - Placement or employment agency workers
12 - Taxi-drivers or drivers of other passenger-carrying vehicles
13 - Barbers or hairdressers
17 - Fishers - Self-employed

Feb 25, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Box 26 higher than Box 14
by: Anonymous

My box 26 is about $20 higher than what I actually earned and is written in box 14.

What does this mean exactly, and what would I do.



section divider



Contact your employer and/or payroll department and ask them how it was calculated.

Click here to add your own comments


SIMPLE EASY
Office Filing System


Learn How to Organize Files
In Under 30 Minutes

$47

Bookkeeping In A Box eBook- choose the Canadian or US Version

Download eBook Canadian

Download eBook U.S.



You can delegate responsibility but you can't abdicate it!




2 Bookkeeping Tests
Prescreening Tool or Study Aid
350 Questions

includes answer key,
Bookkeeping Basics Webcast
and more

Bookkeeping Test Questions and Answers Bookkeeping Test Online Basic Bookkeeping Training

$49 USD
LIFETIME ACCESS

Click on exam booklet to order
Click here for more information

How to Use This Exam:

(1) As part of your interview process when hiring a bookkeeper.

(2) To self assess your bookkeeping skills.

(3) As a practise test before writing your bookkeeping certification exam.




Learn How to Turn
Your Piles of Paper
Into an Organized
Electronic System

Paperless Document Organization Guide

Click on the picture above
for easy to understand tips and strategies on how to go paperless.




Free eReport When You
Subscribe To My Newsletter
The Bookkeeper's Notes

eBook cover




Subscribe To
The Bookkeeper's Notes
A Free Newsletter

For The Work From Home Business Owner

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you The Bookkeeper's Notes.




Brian Tracy's

Click here to receive Brian Tracy's Free Goal Setting Success Guide!





(Listed Under Websites NOT Under Local Business. This website is not associated with any business operating in Bonnyville Alberta.)




From the Mail Bag
Visitor Comments



Thanks for the information. It is nice to see there is an online site where I can go get answers to my bookkeeping questions. It was really a stroke of luck I came across this site. I googled my bookkeeping question to see if I could get an answer, a shot in the dark, and bookkeeping-essentials was one of the results listed. I looked over some other sites but none were as flexible as this site. I got a quick response and I will be using this site in the future. Thanks again.

Bayside, NY, United States




I love your site...its very homey!!! It's like reading/talking to a friend!! Thanks!!

Kim, Jackson, MS United States




Your website is positively BRILLIANT! I don't care at all for the numbers side of my business, but you've made it interesting, fun, comfortable--downright enjoyable! Bite-sized WELL WRITTEN bits walking me through fundamentals, encouraging me, explaining.(Note: "well written" covers everything from "interesting" to "intelligent." The reader doesn't stumble over elementary grammar errors, lots of typos, etc.) I've only just discovered this lovely gold mine!

Cherie, U.S.




I have just come across your site and it's great...thank you so much for the time it must take you to compile the data and information. I have no accountancy or book keeping knowledge and am currently trying to learn QuickBooks via YouTube. (lol) There must be an easier way as I don't have the time or finances, what with starting a new business, to attend a course at college or similar.

Debbie, Vancouver, BC Canada




As a novice at the bookkeeping game, this site has become my go to site for research. Thank you for the great resource. I do my data entry one or twice a year (very low volume) and I find I need retraining on Quickbooks for things like depreciation/CCA.

Den, St. Albert, AB Canada




A More Than FANTASTIC site! So often I've thought about putting something together like your site, but didn't have the time. Googling information about Supplies or Tools over under $500.00 was the most useful Google search I've ever done because of discovering your site. Way to go and THANKS VERY MUCH. PS.... Also loved it that you put the Tax chart for GST HST back to 1997; I spent hours trying to get this information from the CRA website. I've not had time to look at your whole site, but I will be refering to it often I'm sure and will mention anything I think is missing, should I not discover information as I might be looking for it. Thanks, Again

Leona, Sicamous, BC Canada




Thank you for your comprehensive reply to my question. I really appreciate the time you took to explain it to me.

Connie, Canada




This is an absolutely awesome site! I am not lying. I went to Chapters to try to find something just like this and they did not have what I was looking for - which your site does ... which is good definitions and explanations. I am going to book mark this page if that's okay. ... Great job and thank you. I will definitely use this resource.

PK Lethbridge, Alberta




My biggest problem in doing my books is keeping debits & credits straight in liability and equity accounts. I really liked the cheat sheet. (I think that will help me keep the debits and credits straight.)

Lisa, Williston, USA




Lake you're awesome in every way. I have had some insight about how to properly classify some accounts.

Karim, Calgary, Alberta




Thank you so much for this website. I am interviewing for my first bookkeeping position in over 10 years--and my first in Canada. I have AAS degrees in Accounting and Business Admin from the US but have never worked in "my field" since immigrating in 2000. Your website makes me feel more confident I can actually do the job I am interviewing for. So far, I have been refreshing my knowledge and preparing for a job interview. I've bookmarked the site for WHEN I get the job!

Robin, Toronto, ON




I love your website. Just love it.

Carolann
CPB Bookkeeping, Inc.
"The Organizer"
Lake Worth, FL




I posted a question on Accumulated Surplus and you asked me to comment on your comments. I really appreciated reading what you posted and it did help. Especially the part of talking to the accountant. That really makes sense. I find more and more that I interact with the accountants to keep on learning. Love Love Love your website. Just discovered it about 3 weeks ago and have been on it lots since then.

Jan
Red Deer, Alberta




Wow. I'm so thankful to have stumbled across your site, with the assistance of Google. :) I love your style of writing, your approach, and your message. Thank you for your time and efforts. In a nutshell, your light humor and simple approach is refreshing and uplifting.

Kathy, Hillsdale, United States




Your site is great by the way. I just came across it.

Trish, Canada




Thanks for responding so quickly ... I really appreciate all the forum help ... I do Love the forum and have looked through other questions on it and feel it will greatly help in the future. Your site is fantastic and I will recommend it to anyone asking about bookkeeping help.

Cindy, Calgary, Canada




It (your site) is very helpful and thank you for your tips and advice. I am so glad I found your site.

Lee, Calgary, Alberta




Thank you so much for your hard work on your site ... I find I learn quicker and easier with you than I did with courses. Your site has helped my knowledge, learning new things and with the explanation of terms/items. Keep up the good "BookWORK"!

Naomi, Balance Your Books, Squamish, B.C.




This website has been very helpful. It's been too many years since school and I'm a bit rusty.

Sue, Medicine Hat, Alberta




I just found this site tonight. It's going to help me a lot as I learn how to use my Quickbooks more fully (I've only used it for payroll). Don't ask me how I've managed to keep the books this long -5 years- without knowing much more than how to balance a checkbook. I'm getting some help from a professional now, but your site will keep my pro costs down. Thank you. I will definitely donate once I begin to use it with my QuickBooks. It's [your site] easier to understand than Help in QuickBooks. QuickBooks assumes I know bookkeeping concepts. It [your site] appears to be very thorough, though I've only scratched the surface of what I can learn. I took an online bookkeeping class a couple of years ago, but this site has direct application to quickbooks and it's a searchable site!

Ruth, Dos Palos, CA USA




Thank you for providing valuable information regarding home business taxes on this website.

U.C., Toronto, Canada




I started my own bookkeeping business two years ago and enjoy your site. I literally grab my cup of coffee and look around for hours. :D It's a wonderful site with loads of information and I'm all about learning from my peers who might have the answers to some of the questions I may have. Keep up the good work. :)

Tania, TaniasBookkeeping.org
Taking the worry away
Belledune, New Brunswick




BTW, did you say Bookkeeping? Cuz I fell asleep... just kidding!

Dr. Julia
www.advice-with-dr-julia.com

(I love her humour!)




Absolutely a great site! I have often dreamed of having a similar site but figured I might have to wait until I retire to get the time. I have bookmarked this site and will return again.

C.H.
Alwyn Enterprises
Scarborough , Ontario




You have a wonderful website. Thank you so much for letting me know you have one now. [It] is really well done and very, very informative. Also really charming.

R.P.
Reliable Recordkeeping
Toronto, Ontario




I'm enjoying reading your blog! Thought I'd drop you a quick note of encouragement.

Loralee, Red2Black.ca
QuickBooks "one
on one" coaching
Edmonton, Alberta




This is a marvelous site and one that I would like to use as the basis for training bookkeepers. I am a CPA here in the states and am in the process of building a what will hopefully become a substantial bookkeeping business (not a dark wood & gold lettered CPA firm). I want to serve the small business owner with the day to day service they need. You have obviously put in an enormous amount of time and effort here (there is no doubt there) and provide a wealth of fantastic information.

R. Keith Pierce, CPA, P.A.
I'll Sweat The Small Stuff For You - JaxTaxPro.com
Jacksonville, Florida