Well, yes and no. To file your tax return without your T4 slip, you still need the information from it. So, no, you don’t need the paper, but yes, you do need to know what it says.But what if your employer doesn’t send you one? Or it goes to your old address? Or you lose it? Then what?The quickest and easiest thing to do is to call your employer(s) and ask for a copy. If that works, problem solved. They are required to provide your T4s for you by the end of February following the tax year-end.If you need your T4 from previous tax years, ask CRA online at Canada Revenue Agency or call 1-800-959-8281.

Filing your taxes without your T4 slip

When you are filling out your taxes with CloudTax, you can use CRA’s “Auto-fill my return” function. Then you get the information from your T4s automatically. CRA’s secure online My Account system and the Auto-fill my return function, you have direct online access to your tax slips.The Auto-fill my return function at the CRA website helps jumpstart your taxes by securely downloading the most recent and accurate tax slips directly from the CRA. Then, the information is automatically uploaded right into the exact boxes in your tax return in CloudTax. No more searching for box numbers!If the forms don’t appear online with CRA (usually because your employer did not submit them), use your pay stubs to estimate your income and any deductions and credits. You don’t need to send in your paystubs to the CRA. But, when you file electronically using CloudTax, always be sure to keep all your documents, because sometimes the CRA asks that you send them in later.So, can you file your tax return without your T4 slip? It is certainly best not to, and with the CRA’s Auto-fill option, it is far less likely you need to try.