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

by TurboTax• Updated 1 week ago

For tax year 2019 and beyond, the full amount of a non-accountable allowance for an elected official’s work-related expenses is a taxable benefit. This means you 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 non-accountable allowance amount  included in your income is on your T4 slip at box 14, Employment Income, and is also in Other taxable Benefits - Box 40. For more information, visit the CRA’s webpage on changes to non-accountable allowances.

To enter this using TurboTax, follow these steps.

  1. Answer the initial Personal info and Tax profile interview questions if you haven't already. This unlocks the Tax home screen.
  2. From the Tax home screen, under Add to your return, enter T4 and elect T4 Employment Income.
  3. If you arrive at:
    • The T4 Summary screen, select Add T4.
    • The T4 - Employment Income screen, fill out the T4 form, including box 40, and select either Save and Add Another, or Save and Continue, as applicable.
  4. Review the T4 - Summary screen, then select Done With T4 Slips.

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

  1. Select Find, enter T4 in the search bar, Select T4 Employment Income, then select Go.
  2. At the Entering your federal T-slips screen, select the checkbox for T4 - Employment Income, then continue.
  3. At the T4- Employment Income screen, complete the form, including Other Taxable Benefits - box 40.
  4. Select Enter New T4 or Done With T4 as applicable.
  5. Review the T4 - Summary screen, then select Done With T4 Slips.

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