If you’re getting error 2197 and:

1. the CRA is expecting $0 as your unused contributions, and
2. you’ve definitely answered “No” or entered 0 as your unused contributions in the RRSP section, you likely forgot to report an RRSP contribution on your 2021 tax return. How to fix it:

Step 1: Change your 2021 return

1. Switch to your 2021 return and add the missing RRSP contribution to the “RRSP contributions” table.
   • Find your RRSP contribution receipts for 2021 in “Tax information slips (T4 and more)” in CRA My Account.
2. Choose whether to deduct or carry this amount forward (in the Optimizations section).
3. Make a note of your unused contributions at the end of 2021, if any.
4. ReFILE your 2021 return (or use one of these options to change it).
5. Wait for your 2021 return to be reassessed (this usually happens instantly).

Step 2: File your 2022 return

1. Switch back to your 2022 return.
2. If you included the forgotten contribution this year, remove it.
3. If you had unused contributions at the end of 2021 (item 3 of Step 1), add those to your 2022 return (at the bottom of the RRSP section).

If you're delinquent in filing prior year returns, file in the order of earliest to latest. You'll need to wait until you've received the Notice of Assessment for each before filing the following year's return - otherwise, you may encounter this Error 2197.

If this help post doesn’t apply to your situation, please email us so we can help you troubleshoot.