Tax Considerations

There are limitations to how much you can contribute on an annual basis to your RRSP! You may annually contribute whichever is lower of the following:

• 18% of your earned income from the previous year or;
• A maximum of $26,010 (2017)
• The remaining limit after any company sponsored pension plan contribution

Note: Any unused contribution room from 1991 onwards can be carried forward to the current year.

Regardless of whether you contribute to your RRSP or a Spousal RRSP, the contribution counts towards your own contribution limit! Every Canadian is allowed to over-contribute $2,000 once in their lifetime, but if you over-contribute beyond this amount, you'll be charged a penalty tax of 1% of the over-contribution amount per month.

If you're not certain what available contribution room you have, we highly recommend setting up a MyCRA online profile, which you can do here. 

Learn more about RRSPs, Spousal RRSPs, and LIRAs.