What’s Required Now for Trucking Businesses
In February 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) lifted a temporary moratorium and reintroduced reporting requirements for trucking businesses. These apply to fees paid to Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) exceeding $500 in a calendar year, which must now be reported on a T4A slip – Box 048. (canada.ca)
By doing so, CRA aims to close gaps in income reporting and ensure that compensation is properly captured across service providers. These changes matter deeply to any trucking operator outsourcing services or contracting with CCPCs.
Key Dates & Penalties
- The amendment takes effect for the 2025 tax year. The deadline to file these slips is February 28, 2026, but because that date falls on a weekend, slops postmarked by March 2, 2026 are accepted. (canada.ca)
- Failure to report properly could result in penalties under the Income Tax Act, particularly when a business neglects to issue required slips or misreports amounts.
Who Is Affected?
- Owner-operators or firms that hire trucking contractors or subcontractors operating under a CCPC structure.
- Large and small carriers alike, especially those procuring services from incorporated parties. Even small amounts over $500 trigger the obligation for a slip.
- Accounting and payroll departments ensuring slips are issued and recorded correctly.
Practical Compliance Tips
- Maintain robust records of all payments to CCPC-based contractors during the year. Ensure company names and incorporation details are accurate.
- As January begins, ensure financial systems flag payments over $500 to CCPCs.
- Schedule a review before end of February 2026 to determine required T4A filings and ensure timely submission.
- Coordinate with tax preparer to record these amounts properly in your T-forms, and track any related deductions.
Example Scenario
You’re a trucking business that paid $800 to a CCPC in December 2025 for haulage services.
- You must issue a T4A-Box 048 slip by end of February (or by March 2 if deadline weekend).
- If you miss it, you could face late-slip penalties and difficulty substantiating your costs.
Beyond the Basics: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Avoid assuming small payments don’t matter—they accumulate. Even two payments of $300 each to a CCPC require a slip.
- Watch out: sometimes contractors may claim to be unincorporated when they’re not—ask for confirmation.
- If you’re outside of trucking but use similar industry norms, check if these rules apply via analogous legislation.
Category: Compliance Tax Home: Canada Read Time: 5-8 min Author: NomadicTax Research Team