As an elected official, how do I enter my non-accountable allowance in TurboTax?

SOLVED•by TurboTax•9•Updated January 03, 2024

The non-accountable allowance of elected officials for work-related expenses was, within a limit, previously exempt from income tax.

As of 2019, the full amount of a non-accountable allowance is now a taxable benefit, meaning you’ll include this amount in your income for tax purposes. An allowance is considered non-accountable if you don’t have to give details or submit receipts to justify your spending.

Affected officials include:

Elected members of provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and municipality offices
Elected officers of municipal utilities boards, commissions, and corporations
Members of public and separate school boards

The amount to include in your income is on your T4 slip at box 14, Employment Income, and in the Other information area, under code 40. For more information, visit the CRA’s webpage on changes to non-accountable allowances.

To enter this amount in TurboTax, follow the applicable steps.

TurboTax Online

Before you begin, complete the Intro/Profile steps of your return until the Find button appears in the menu.

Select Find and enter T4.
Select T4 Employment Income, then Go.
On the T4 Summary screen, select Add T4.
Complete the fields for Province of employment 10, Employment Income 14, and Other Taxable Benefits 40.
Select Save and Continue.
Review the T4 - Summary screen, then select Done With T4 Slips.

TurboTax Download

Before you begin, complete the Introduction/Profile steps of your return until the Find button appears in the menu.

Select Find and enter T4.
Select T4 Employment and other income, then Go.
On the Entering your federal T-slips screen, select the checkbox for T4 - Employment Income, then Continue.
Complete the fields for Province of employment 10, Employment Income 14, and Other Taxable Benefits 40.
Select Done With T4.
Review the T4 - Summary screen, then select Done With T4 Slips.