T1213: Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source
Form T1213 is how you ask the CRA to authorise your employer or payer to reduce the income tax withheld from your pay because of deductions or credits you expect to claim.
This is the genuine CRA PDF, unmodified. Source: CRA official page.
What is T1213?
T1213, Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source, is used when you have deductions or non-refundable credits, such as RRSP contributions, child care expenses, support payments, or charitable donations, that would otherwise mean a refund at the end of the year. Instead of waiting for the refund, you ask the CRA for a letter of authority so less tax is taken off each pay.
This is a dynamic (XFA) PDF built for Adobe Acrobat Reader and will not fill in a browser or a basic PDF viewer, so download it and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. The form asks for your details, the deductions or credits you expect to claim with supporting amounts, and it is sent to your tax services office for approval.
Who files T1213?
- Employees who expect large deductions or credits and want less tax withheld
- People making regular RRSP contributions outside of a group plan
- Taxpayers paying deductible support payments or child care expenses
- Anyone who would otherwise receive a sizeable refund and prefers more take-home pay
How to fill out T1213
- Download the T1213 and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader; it will not fill in a browser.
- Enter your name, social insurance number, and employer or payer information.
- List the deductions and credits you expect to claim, with the amounts and supporting details.
- Sign and date the request.
- Send the T1213 with any required documents to your CRA tax services office, which issues a letter of authority to your employer if approved.
Get T1213
This is a dynamic PDF from CRA: it only fills in correctly in Adobe Acrobat Reader, so there is no in-browser fill here. Download the genuine T1213 below and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete and save it.
Download the official T1213 PDFFrequently asked questions
Does the T1213 lower how much tax I owe?
No. It only changes the timing by reducing the tax withheld from each pay, based on deductions and credits you will claim anyway. Your total tax for the year is the same; you just get more of it in your paycheques instead of as a refund.
How long does approval take?
The CRA reviews your request and, if approved, sends a letter of authority to your employer or payer telling them how much less to withhold. Submit it well before the year or pay period you want it to apply to, since processing takes time.