If I take money out of my RRSP and put it back in an RRSP with a different bank, is there a penalty? To avoid the penalty, I guess there needs to be a straight RRSP --> RRSP transfer?
asked Apr 29, 2014 at 13:32
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1 Answer
If you withdraw money from an RRSP, you are taxed on that money as ordinary income and will have to pay withholding taxes, and potentially more income tax when you file. Additionally, you lose that contribution amount.
If you subsequently deposit the same gross amount into another RRSP at a different bank, that will lower your taxable income for the year and you'll subsequently be able to recover the withholding taxes, but you will have permanently lost the contribution room.
For example, you have $100,000 in RRSP contribution room. You buy $1,000 in RRSPs from Bank A. This leaves you with $99,000 in RRSP contribution room.
Next year, you withdraw that $1,000 and deposit it in Bank B in an RRSP account. Now, you have $98,000 in RRSP contribution room. Chances are good that Bank A withheld 15% for taxes, but when you file your tax return, you'll get that back. Your withdrawal and subsequent purchase of RRSPs in the tax year cancel out.
Far better is to transfer the RRSP from Bank A to Bank B. That has no tax implications and would not affect your RRSP contribution limit. Not all banks are willing to do this, though.
answered Apr 29, 2014 at 14:27
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Chris W. Rea, thank you for significantly improving my answer with your well-placed edits. Commented Apr 29, 2014 at 17:54
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You're welcome. BTW, I'm wondering about your "Not all banks are willing to do this, though." I'm under the impression that the portability of RRSP money is guaranteed, but I'm not certain about it. Have you met a bank that wouldn't permit a transfer? I'm aware some won't do an in-kind transfer, but I can't imagine a cash transfer being refused. Commented Apr 29, 2014 at 21:54
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CIBC wouldn't transfer my late wife's RRSP to TD Bank, even though legally this should have worked as a straight transfer rather than a withdrawal and redeposit (all paperwork in place). I'm not sure if this was policy at one of the banks, or if the employee I was dealing with was problematic. Commented Apr 29, 2014 at 22:27
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@ChrisInEdmonton Transferring on death of an annuitant works differently. See here. All banks allow a direct transfer, there's even an official form, T2033– brianCommented Apr 30, 2014 at 3:24
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Thanks, Brian. CIBC categorically refused to do the transfer and I had to pay taxes on the money. Looks like perhaps I could have just claimed it on line 240. Meh, was only a few hundred dollars in taxes. Commented Apr 30, 2014 at 13:46