How to withdraw from an RRSP without paying tax (2024)

When you deposit funds into a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), you receive a tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax payable. That’s the good news. The bad news is that if you need cash and want to withdraw funds, the Canadian government will cancel that benefit by applying a RRSP withdrawal tax.

However, there are cases where you can take out funds without penalty. Read on to learn more about ways to avoid tax withholding – or at least minimizing it.

What is a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)?

RRSPs are savings vehicles intended to help Canadians prepare financially for retirement. In addition to receiving a tax credit when you contribute money, the investments accumulate tax-free as long as you leave the funds in your account.

You only face tax when you take money out upon retirement. Hopefully, you are in a lower tax bracket when you retire so the tax bill will be reduced.

You can invest the money in a wide variety of vehicles. If you are risk-adverse, you can purchase GICs, although the interest rates are currently very low. Or you can consider blue-chip stocks, which often pay dividends. Or take a flyer on a small-cap stock and see whether it grows exponentially. Mutual funds allow you to invest in a broad range of stocks and bonds – they are professionally managed.

When can you withdraw from an RRSP?

While they are intended for retirement, RRSPs can actually be tapped anytime. Sometimes you are just short of money and need to make a withdrawal. You can take funds out – as long as you pay the withholding tax.

Can you withdraw from an RRSP before age 65?

Absolutely. There is no particular requirement that you must retire at age 65. You can retire at an earlier age and begin accessing your funds. Or you can continue working and keep your funds in your RRSP, watching them accumulate more interest and earnings. The only rule is that you must close your RRSP by Dec. 31 of the year that you turn 71.

How much tax is there on an RRSP withdrawal?

The RRSP withdrawal tax, officially known as a withholding tax, varies depending on how much you are taking out of your RRSP.

The withholding tax is:

  • On withdrawals up to $5,000: 10 percent
  • On amounts from $5,001 to $15,000: 20 percent
  • On withdrawals above $15,000: 30 percent

You can minimize the tax by making more than one withdrawal. For example, suppose you need $9,000 to put a new roof on your house. You can request two withdrawals of $5,000 each. You will only pay 10 percent withholding tax, or $1,000 total, leaving you with the $9,000 for the roof.

If you are married and your spouse has an RRSP, you can both withdraw $5,000 each. Again, this minimizes the RRSP withdrawal tax.

However, it’s important to consider all of the costs of making a withdrawal. Your financial institution may charge a fee for each withdrawal. Therefore, add the fee and the withholding tax to determine your total cost.

When you file your income tax return, you must report the RRSP withdrawal as income. You can claim a credit for the RRSP withholding tax. However, you may end up owing more taxes. For example, a 10 percent withholding tax on a $5,000 withdrawal probably won’t cover the tax owing if you are in the 20.5 percent tax bracket.

Tax-free withdrawal: The Home Buyers Plan

The Canadian government does provide a few ways to withdraw funds without paying the withholding tax. One of these is the Home Buyers Plan (HBP).

Under the HBP, you can withdraw up to $35,000 to purchase a first home. If you are married or living common-law, your partner can take out the same amount. There is no withholding tax on these withdrawals.

What’s the catch? You have to repay your RRSP within 15 years. You must make annual payments or face tax penalties.

An interesting twist is that even though this plan is intended for first-time home buyers, you may qualify even if you previously owned a home. To learn more about the Home Buyers Plan, please read our blog post on this topic.

Tax-free withdrawal: The Lifelong Learning Plan

If you or your spouse decides to return to school full time, you can withdraw up to $10,000 tax-free in a calendar year. You cannot withdraw funds to finance the post-secondary education of your children.

RRSP withdrawal after retirement

Once you retire, you will want to begin taking funds out of your RRSP in order to have money to live on. You must close your RRSP by the end of the year you turn 71.

There are three options for accessing your RRSP funds:

  1. Take the cash: Generally, this is not advisable. You will face a huge tax hit on a one-time withdrawal from your RRSP.
  2. Purchase an annuity: An annuity provides you with a guaranteed monthly payment for the rest of your life. You must report the annuity payments as income on your tax return.
  3. Convert to a Registered Retirement Income Fund: This allows you to transfer your RRSP to a RRIF without facing a tax hit. The RRSP rules require that you withdraw a minimum amount from your RRIF every year. You will have to include this amount as income on your tax return.

RRSP withdrawal tax strategy

It’s important to carefully consider the RRSP withdrawal tax implications before withdrawing funds from your RRSP. Your financial advisor can help you to calculate the total cost – the taxes plus any withdrawal fees your financial institution may charge. Be sure to develop a retirement withdrawal strategy.

If you have a cash-flow emergency before you retire, it might make more sense to take out a homeowner’s line of credit to meet your cash needs. If you have built up substantial equity in your home, you may be able to get a low-interest line of credit. This may be preferable to taking the tax hit on a RRSP withdrawal.

Write off 100% of your medical expenses

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How to withdraw from an RRSP without paying tax (2024)

FAQs

How to withdraw from an RRSP without paying tax? ›

Funds in an RRSP can grow tax-free as long as they remain inside it. When you receive payments after retirement or withdraw amounts before retirement, you'll have to pay withholding taxes. You can use the Home Buyers Plan (HBP) or Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) to receive tax-free withdrawals.

How can I withdraw my RRSP without tax? ›

How to avoid withholding tax on an RRSP. The simplest way to make sure you don't pay RRSP withholding tax is to wait until you're ready to retire, then transfer the money in your RRSP to either a RRIF (registered retirement income fund) or an annuity.

Can I withdraw my RRSP if I leave Canada? ›

You can withdraw or transfer your RRSP+ if you have left Canada permanently. If you emigrate permanently from Canada, you can withdraw your RRSP+ provided that no contribution has been made for at least 730 days (two years).

What is the best way to withdraw RRSP in Canada? ›

Mandatory RRSP Withdrawals at Maturity
  1. Maturity Option #1: Make a Lump Sum RRSP Withdrawal.
  2. Maturity Option #2: Convert RRSP to RRIF.
  3. Maturity Option #3: Purchase an Annuity.

How much do I lose if I cash out my RRSP? ›

When you withdraw funds from an RRSP, your financial institution withholds the tax. The rates depend on your residency and the amount you withdraw. For residents of Canada, the rates are: 10% (5% in Quebec) on amounts up to $5,000.

Can I transfer my RRSP to my chequing account? ›

You are free to transfer your RRSPs between financial institutions at any time without being subject to tax. You can also move some or all of your money between eligible investments within your RRSP.

How much tax will I pay on RRSP withdrawal Canada? ›

In Canada, the current withholding tax rates for withdrawing funds from an RRSP are as follows: 10% on amounts up-to $5,000; 20% on amounts over $5,000 up-to and including $15,000; and. 30% on amounts over $15,000.

What happens to RRSP if you move to USA? ›

Can I roll my RRSP/RRIF into a U.S. retirement plan? A tax-free rollover of your RRSP/ RRIF into a retirement plan in the U.S. is not permitted. Therefore, any transfer is considered a distribution under Canadian tax law and subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

Do Canadian citizens working in US pay taxes to both countries? ›

Yes, if you are a citizen or resident alien of the United States, you have a U.S. tax obligation, even if you're a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. is one of two countries in the world that taxes based on citizenship, not place of residency.

Can you close out an RRSP? ›

You can close your Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) and take cash (as long as the investments are liquid) before you retire.

Can I cash out my RRSP early in Canada? ›

As long as your RRSP isn't a locked-in plan, you can take money out of your RRSP any time. However, any amount you withdraw will be included as income for tax purposes. You'll also pay withholding tax on the amount you withdraw (based on the amount of the withdrawal).

When should I take money out of my RRSP? ›

Keep in mind, you can only keep an RRSP until age 71. By December 31 of the year in which you turn 71, you're required to close your RRSP account and choose between any combination of the following options: withdraw your funds, purchase a payout annuity,2 or.

Can you transfer RRSP to TFSA without paying tax? ›

There is no direct way to transfer funds in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). In order to contribute funds to a TFSA from an RRSP, you must withdraw the funds, and pay any applicable withholding tax, plus any additional taxes at tax time.

How do I report RRSP withdrawals on US tax return? ›

A U.S. citizen or resident alien who has received any distributions during the taxable year from an RRSP or RRIF must report the total amount of distributions received during the taxable year from all such RRSPs and RRIFs on line 16a of the Form 1040 and the taxable amount of all such distributions (as determined under ...

What happens to my RRSP at age 71? ›

Your RRSP must be cashed out or converted by December 31 of the year you turn 71. Otherwise, the government will close your RRSP and your savings will be considered taxable income.

Can I withdraw $20000 from bank? ›

Unless your bank has set a withdrawal limit of its own, you are free to take as much out of your bank account as you would like. It is, after all, your money. Here's the catch: If you withdraw $10,000 or more, it will trigger federal reporting requirements.

How long does it take to transfer money from RRSP to bank account? ›

It can take anywhere from a few days to six weeks to complete an RRSP transfer, depending on the financial institution.

What are the tax implications of withdrawing from RRSP? ›

Yes, RRSP withdrawals are taxed twice. When you withdraw the RRSP, the taxes on the RRSP withdrawals are withheld by the financial institution. The RRSP withholding tax rates for Canadians (except residents of Quebec) are 10%, 20% and 30% depending on the amount of withdrawal.

Which bank is best for RRSP? ›

Top high-interest RRSP rates in Canada
Savings AccountInterest RateMonthly Fee
Achieva Financial RRSP Daily Interest Savings Account3.40%$0
Alterna Bank RRSP HISA2.25%$0
Canadian Western Bank WestEarner® RRSP account0.90%$0
EQ Bank RSP Savings Account**3.00%$0
14 more rows

How much taxes will I get back if I make $40000 a year in Canada? ›

If you make $40,000 a year living in the region of Ontario, Canada, you will be taxed $10,446. That means that your net pay will be $29,554 per year, or $2,463 per month. Your average tax rate is 26.1% and your marginal tax rate is 25.9%.

What is the difference between net and gross RRSP withdrawal? ›

When you make an RRSP withdrawal, there are two amounts to consider: the gross amount of the withdrawal, and the net amount. The gross amount is the dollar value that actually leaves your RRSP; the net amount is how much you end up with after your financial institution deducts withholding tax from the gross amount.

How much tax do you pay on retirement withdrawals? ›

After retirement, taxes on withdrawals are tax-free on the entire amount, including any earnings on the profits.

How do I transfer my RRSP from Canada to USA? ›

Expert Answer: The U.S. equivalent of an RRSP is known as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Unfortunately, RRSP assets cannot be rolled over to a U.S. IRA. If you withdraw funds from your RRSP, the entire amount of the withdrawal is subject to Canadian withholding tax.

Can a US citizen living in Canada have an RRSP? ›

U.S. citizens who reside in Canada may establish registered accounts such as a RRSP, RESP or TFSA. However, the Canadian tax benefits arising from these registered accounts may potentially be offset by U.S. compliance obligations and/or applicable U.S. taxes.

What happens to my Social Security if I move to Canada? ›

If you have Social Security credits in both the United States and Canada, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.

Can I be dual citizen of U.S. and Canada? ›

Dual or multiple citizenship is legal in Canada. However, it may not be legal in the other country or countries where you hold citizenship.

How can I avoid double taxation in Canada? ›

Canadian taxpayers avoid double-taxation by making a claim on their return for a foreign tax credit (FTC). That is to say, you get to claim a credit on your Canadian return for an amount of tax paid to a foreign country.

Is RRSP withdrawal taxable in the US? ›

Any income you earn in the RRSP is usually exempt from tax as long as the funds remain in the plan. However, once you receive payments from the plan, they are taxed at your current tax rate.

Can I withdraw from my RRSP to pay off debt? ›

If you cash out your RRSP and use it towards anything other than purchasing a first home or for retirement, you will need to pay a withholding tax. This means a reduction in the amount you withdraw, which is less to go towards paying off your debts.

Should I withdraw money from my RRSP before I turn 71? ›

To try and avoid the problem of your income ballooning when you hit 71, consider retiring earlier than you planned and taking the money out of your RRSP early so it'll get taxed at a lower rate. When it comes to when you should withdraw from your RRSP, a balanced approach is usually best.

How long can you hold an RRSP? ›

Can I deduct my unused RRSP contributions? Even though you can no longer contribute to your RRSPs after the year you turn 71 years old, you can deduct unused RRSP contributions up to the amount of your RRSP deduction limit.

Can you withdraw from RRSP at age 55+? ›

RRSP Withdrawals at age 55+

You can convert your RRSP to an RRIF starting at age 55 and begin receiving payments. Once you convert the RRSP to an RRIF, you cannot change your mind later and turn it back into an RRSP. The biggest danger with early conversion to RRIF is you could run out of funds before you die.

What are two disadvantages to withdrawing from your RRSP before retirement? ›

There are ways to withdraw money before you retire, but you should be aware of the tax consequences: If you take money out early from your RRSP, you pay a withholding tax, and you may have to pay additional tax when you declare it as income on your tax return. You can withdraw money — tax-free.

How do I withdraw money from my RRSP? ›

To withdraw funds from your RRSPs under the HBP, fill out Form T1036, Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP. You have to fill out this form for each withdrawal you make. After filling out Area 1 of Form T1036, give it to your RRSP issuer. The issuer must fill out Area 2.

Can I transfer my RRSP to another bank? ›

You are able to transfer an RRSP to a different financial institution by authorizing the transfer of your funds. You can initiate the transfer through the receiving financial institution. One or both of the financial institutions involved may charge you a transfer fee.

Which is better TFSA or RRSP? ›

TFSAs are more flexible than RRSPs, and the money you invest can grow entirely tax-free. You've already paid taxes on the funds you deposit so you can withdraw the principal and any earnings at any time and for any purpose without having to pay taxes.

Can I withdraw from RRSP as a non resident? ›

By withdrawing the RRSP funds while a non resident, generally the lower of the non resident withholding tax rate and the amount taxable under section 217 will apply, providing the individual with a unique opportunity to withdraw RRSP accumulations at much lower rates of tax than would otherwise be payable if they were ...

What is the withholding tax for non residents in Canada? ›

withholding tax rules

The general Canadian non-resident withholding tax rate is 25% which applies to certain Canadian-source income paid or credited to non- residents of Canada. However, the provisions of an income tax treaty between Canada and your country of residence may provide for a reduced withholding tax rate.

How much do I have to withdraw from my RRSP at age 71? ›

This rule applies whether you need the money or not. You must take out the annual minimum payment by December 31 of the year following the year you establish your RRIF. This gives your investments a bit more time to grow undisturbed. At the moment, the minimum withdrawal factor is 5.28% at age 71.

What is the minimum RRSP withdrawal at 65? ›

RRIF minimum withdrawal chart
AgeRRIF Factors
654.00%
664.17%
674.35%
684.55%
6 more rows

What is the $3000 rule? ›

Rule. The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000.

How much cash can you withdraw without reporting to IRS? ›

If you withdraw $10,000 or more, federal law requires the bank to report it to the IRS in an effort to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

Can banks ask why you are withdrawing money? ›

Yes. The bank may be asking for additional information because federal law requires banks to complete forms for large and/or suspicious transactions as a way to flag possible money laundering.

Can I cash out my RRSP before retirement? ›

You can take money out of your RRSP before you retire. For example, you might tap into your RRSP to cover costs of an emergency situation. But you will pay an immediate tax on the money you take out, and possibly more at tax time. And you'll permanently lose the contribution room.

Can I transfer my RRSP to a TFSA without penalty? ›

Can I transfer RRSP to a TFSA without a penalty? You can withdraw money from an RRSP and re-contribute it to a TFSA without paying taxes if you have a low taxable income. Taxes withheld will be refunded when you file your tax return if no tax is owed.

When should you start withdrawing from your RRSP? ›

When you turn 71 the government requires you to start withdrawals. If you have a good pension and other investments to draw from and you don't think you will need your RRSP at first, talk with your financial advisor to be sure your income won't balloon when you reach that point.

What do you do with the money in an RRSP when you retire? ›

Once you retire, you have three options:
  1. Cash out all your savings as a lump sum (income taxes will apply)
  2. Convert your RRSP to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
  3. Purchase a Life Income Fund (LIF)

What is better TFSA or RRSP? ›

TFSAs are more flexible than RRSPs, and the money you invest can grow entirely tax-free. You've already paid taxes on the funds you deposit so you can withdraw the principal and any earnings at any time and for any purpose without having to pay taxes.

Should you max out RRSP or TFSA first? ›

As you approach retirement, max out your RRSP contributions each year. Continue to grow your money in a TFSA and pull funds when you're ready to retire.

Can you transfer an RRSP to a savings account? ›

Generally, you can transfer property from your registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) to your first home savings accounts (FHSAs) without any immediate tax consequences, as long as it is a direct transfer, and does not exceed your unused FHSA participation room at the time of the transfer.

How much does it cost to transfer RRSP from one bank to another? ›

Choose in kind or in cash for your transfer. Speak to the new bank where you want to make the transfer and bring a printout of your investments from your current bank. Ask if they will pay some or all your transfer-out fees. Fees can vary but might be $50 to as much as $150+tax.

Does transferring TFSA count as withdrawal? ›

Since this transfer is not considered a withdrawal, the transferred amount will not be added back to the transferor's contribution room at the beginning of the following year. Also, the transfer will not remove any excess TFSA amount, if applicable, in the payer's TFSA.

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