company logo

Help center

Go to Tedy
Login
All collectionsFor AdministratorsTaxes & fiscal obligations 101 with Tedy

Taxes & fiscal obligations 101 with Tedy

Details on tax deductions and reporting taxable benefits

Taxable Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) Benefits

For employees

  • LSA reimbursements are generally considered taxable employment income.

  • Only amounts actually reimbursed are added to taxable income.

For employers

Employers are responsible for:

  • Recording taxable reimbursements in payroll

  • Calculating the applicable source deductions and employer contributions

  • Reporting the correct amounts on employees’ year-end tax slips

Using Tedy Reports

For taxable LSA programs, the “Reimbursed” column in the “Reports” section shows the amount actually reimbursed to each employee.

Use this amount for payroll and tax reporting. Do not use the employee’s allocation or remaining balance.

Tedy reports can also be scheduled and sent automatically—for example, every two weeks—to align with the employer’s payroll schedule using the “Automated Reports” option at the top right of the reports section.

Payroll Setup Options

Employers may manage the taxable portion of benefits in different ways.

Option 1: Report Actual Reimbursements Each Payroll

Schedule an automated Tedy report to match the payroll frequency, such as biweekly. Add each employee’s exact reimbursed amount to the next payroll.

This option:

  • Uses actual reimbursements instead of estimates

  • Keeps deductions aligned with when benefits are received

  • Avoids large year-end adjustments

Option 2: Spread an Estimated Amount Across the Year

Estimate each employee’s expected annual taxable reimbursements spend and divide the amount across scheduled payrolls.

Compare the estimated amounts with actual Tedy throughout and at year-end to make the required adjustments based on actual spend.

This creates more predictable deductions, but employees may use more or less than estimated. The final reported amount must always match actual reimbursements.

Option 3: Process an Annual or Lump-Sum Adjustment

Some employers accumulate taxable reimbursements and process them less frequently or near year-end.

This reduces the number of payroll adjustments, but it can create a large deduction from one of the employee’s final paycheques.

Taxable benefits should generally be added to income in the applicable pay period or when received. Employers should confirm this approach with their payroll provider or accounting team before using it.

Reimbursement Method and Payroll Codes

Tedy Reimbursements

When Tedy reimburses employees directly, the employer must still record the taxable amount in payroll.

Use Tedy reports to add the taxable benefit without issuing the reimbursement to the employee a second time. The employer’s payroll provider can confirm the appropriate setup.

Export to Payroll

When Export to payroll is selected, employees are reimbursed through the employer’s payroll.

The employer should ask its payroll or accounting team to create a dedicated taxable benefit code and map it to the Tedy export file. This helps ensure that exported reimbursements are paid, taxed and reported correctly.

Year-End Reporting

Report actual taxable reimbursements—not allocations, unused balances or non-taxable reimbursements.

All Canadian Employees — T4

  • Box 14: Employment income

  • Other Information, Code 40: Taxable benefits and allowances

Another T4 code may apply to certain specific benefits.

Employees in Quebec — RL-1

Quebec employees generally receive both a T4 and an RL-1.

For most LSA reimbursements:

  • Box A: Employment income

  • Box L: Other taxable benefits

Another RL-1 box may apply depending on the nature of the benefit.

Year-End Reconciliation

Before issuing tax slips—or when an employee leaves—the employer should:

  1. Compare payroll records with actual taxable reimbursements in Tedy

  2. Correct any differences between estimated and actual amounts

  3. Confirm that all required deductions and employer contributions have been calculated

  4. Ensure the final amounts are accurately reported on the employee’s T4 and, where applicable, RL-1

For guidance specific to your payroll setup, consult your payroll provider, accounting team or tax professional.

Official resources:

  • CRA Employers’ Guide—Taxable Benefits and Allowances

  • Revenu Québec—Benefits Provided to an Employee

Did this answer your question?
😞
😐
😁