The software is prompting you to fill out a self-employment form (T2125) because Box 48 on a T4A slip is exclusively used by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to report "Fees for Services." The software assumes that if you received a fee for service, you must be a contractor. For that reason, it is asking you to upgrade and taking you to fill out T2125.
However, a "gift award" from a university should typically be reported as a scholarship or bursary (Box 105), which often qualifies for a tax exemption.
- If the money was given for academic achievement or to help her with her studies, it should be in Box 105 rather than Box 48. If it appears in Box 48, it indicates that the university treated the payment as a contracted service rather than a student award.
- Gifts are generally not taxed. If it were a random prize, it may not be taxable income.
- If she was compensated for her services (e.g., research assistance, consulting, or acting as a contractor), it is considered self-employment income, and the software is technically correct, even if it feels like a "gift."
- If the university insists on reporting it as "Fees for Services" in Box 48, you must report it using Form T2125 (Statement of Business or Professional Activities).
You can contact the issuer of the T4A slip to confirm this information.
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