Missing tax slips? What to do if your T4 or T5 haven’t arrived for 2026.

If you’re routinely checking your mailbox, inbox, and CRA My Account for updates, you’re not alone. Missing tax slips, especially T4s and T5s, are one of the most common stress points for Canadians during tax time.

The good news? You can still file accurately and on time, even if your slips haven't arrived yet.

This guide explains:

• Why your T4 or T5 might be missing.
• How to get your slips quickly (even if your employer hasn’t sent them).
• What to do if your slip never arrives.
• How to file taxes without a T4.
• CRA My Account troubleshooting.
• Key deadlines for 2026.

Tax slip deadlines in Canada for 2026: When is a T4 or T5 considered late?
Before you send a strongly worded email to your boss, let’s check the calendar. For the 2025 tax year (which you’re filing in 2026), the tax slip deadlines vary by type:

• T4 (Employment Income) and T5 (Investment Income): The deadline for employers and banks to issue these was March 2, 2026 (since February 28 fell on a Saturday). If you don't have these by the second week of March, it's time to investigate.

• T3 (Trust Income) and T5013 (Partnership Income): These are the fashionably late slips. Issuers have until March 31, 2026, to send them.

The verdict: If you’re missing a T3, put your feet up, they still have time. If your T4 is missing and it's mid-March, keep reading.

What to do if you don’t have your physical T4 or T5 slips.
If your employer or financial institution hasn’t provided your physical slip — or you lost it — don’t worry. You still have options to get the information you need before filing.

1. Check your CRA My Account for the digital version.
Your employer or financial institution may have already submitted your slips electronically, even if you haven’t received your copy.

• Log in to CRA My Account.

• Go to “Tax Information Slips (T Slips)”.

• Look for your T4, T5, or other 2025 slips.

• Download the PDF or copy the box numbers.

If it’s there, you’re good to go, you don’t need the physical version.

2. If it’s not there, call the CRA.
If you don’t see the slip in your CRA My Account (or you don’t have a CRA My Account at all):

• Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

• Ask for your T4 or T5 slip information.

• They can give you income, tax withheld, and box numbers over the phone once your employer/financial institution has submitted them.

This information is fully acceptable for filing.

3. If the CRA doesn’t have it, contact your employer or bank again.
If the CRA can’t find your T4 or T5, it usually means the slip hasn’t been submitted yet. In that case:

For T4s:

• Reach out to your employer or payroll provider.

• Request a reissued or electronic copy.

• Ask for a PDF, it’s usually faster than waiting for mail.

For T5s: 

• Check your online banking portal. Most major Canadian banks upload T5 slips under “Tax Documents” weeks before physical copies arrive, so you can often download them instantly.

• If you can’t access it online, give them a call. 

4. Don’t delay filing.
You don’t need the paper form to file. As long as you have the accurate numbers from the CRA, your employer, or CRA My Account, you can file your return on time and avoid late filing penalties.

CRA My Account tax slips not showing for 2026? Here’s why:
If you’ve logged into CRA My Account and noticed your slips aren't appearing or Auto-Fill My Return is coming up empty, don't panic. There’s often a data lag between when an employer sends the slip to you and when the CRA finishes processing it into their system.

In 2025 and 2026, the CRA implemented new validation checks to ensure accuracy. This means even if your employer filed on time, it might take a few weeks for the digital version to show in your account.

Pro tip: If you have the physical slip or a PDF from your employer, you don't need to wait for the CRA portal to update. You can bring your slips to an H&R Block office or enter the numbers manually in our tax software and file today!
 

T4 vs. T5 missing: Which one is the priority?
If you’re missing multiple forms, you might wonder about the T4 vs. T5 missing dilemma.

• Priority 1: The T4. Since this represents your main income, it usually has the biggest impact on your tax bracket and your refund.

• Priority 2: The T5. While important, investment income is often smaller than employment income. However, forgetting a T5 can lead to matching errors later where the CRA asks why you didn't report that $50 in bank interest.

Strategy: Reach out to your employer first. For the T5, most major Canadian banks allow you to download these directly from your online banking portal under "Tax Documents", often much faster than waiting for the mail!

How to file taxes without a T4 slip (last resort).
It’s getting close to the April 30, 2026, deadline and you still don't have your slip. Can you just guess?

Technically, yes, you can file using estimated numbers, but you should only do this as a last resort. If you absolutely must know how to file taxes without a T4 slip, follow these steps:

1. Use your last pay stub: Look at your final pay stub from December 2025. It should list your "Year-to-Date" (YTD) earnings, as well as the total tax, CPP, and EI withheld.

2. Keep your notes: If you estimate, the CRA requires you to include a note with your return (or keep one on file) explaining why the slip is missing and the name of the employer.

3. Be ready to amend: If the real T4 arrives later and the numbers are different, you’ll need to file an adjustment (T1-ADJ) to fix it.

Frequently asked questions.

Stuck on a missing tax slip? H&R Block Tax Experts are here to help. 
Whether you’re short one T4 or missing a handful of slips, don’t let a paper trail stop you from filing on time. Our Tax Experts can help you navigate the 2026 filing season, slips or no slips. We’ll help you track down your information and file with total confidence.