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Each year, the RRSP contribution deadline serves as an important reminder to reduce your tax bill. However, this date changes depending on the calendar. For the 2025 tax year, the deadline is not March 1, but rather March 2, 2026.
Thus, if you wish to deduct an RRSP contribution on your 2025 tax return, you must act before this deadline. You also need to know how much you can contribute and how to avoid costly mistakes.
In this article, you will discover the RRSP deadline for 2025, the maximum contribution amount, and the essential rules to know. You will also learn how to check your exact contribution room and make an informed decision before the end of the period.
For the 2025 tax year, the RRSP contribution deadline is March 2, 2026. Any contribution made by this date can be deducted on your 2025 tax return.
Generally, the deadline is the 60th day following the end of the calendar year. However, when the 60th day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the date is pushed back to the next business day.
This is exactly what happens in 2026. March 1 falls on a Sunday. Therefore, the official deadline is moved to Monday, March 2, 2026.
It is important to distinguish between the contribution date and the tax deduction. You can contribute before the deadline, without necessarily deducting the amount immediately. The choice of the deduction year remains in your hands.
Confusion surrounding the RRSP deadline is common. However, the rule is relatively simple. Tax law provides a 60-day period after December 31 to make a deductible contribution.
However, the calendar sometimes complicates matters. When this 60th day falls on a weekend, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) automatically postpones the deadline to the next business day.
Thus, some years, the deadline is March 1. Other years, like for 2025, it is March 2. This is why it is risky to rely on the previous year’s date.
The maximum amount you can contribute to an RRSP for 2025 depends on your 2024 earned income. The general rule is simple: you can contribute up to 18% of your eligible income, up to an annual limit set by the CRA.
For 2025, this limit is set at $32,490. Even if 18% of your income exceeds this amount, you cannot contribute more.
Conversely, if your income is more modest, your maximum will be lower than the limit. For example, with an eligible income of $80,000, your new contribution room would be $14,400.
It is also essential to consider your unused contribution room from previous years. These are automatically added to your new contribution room.
The best way to find your exact contribution room is to consult your most recent notice of assessment. This document clearly indicates the maximum amount you can still contribute to your RRSP.
However, the most up-to-date information can be found in My Account CRA. This online portal takes into account contributions already reported and recent adjustments.
It is not advisable to rely solely on your own calculations. Processing delays or recent contributions can alter your actual contribution room.
A contribution made after March 2, 2026, cannot be deducted on your 2025 tax return. However, it can be carried forward and deducted in a later year, if you have sufficient contribution room.
That said, this strategy is not always optimal. You lose the immediate tax advantage, which can reduce the short-term benefit of the contribution.
Before contributing after the deadline, it is therefore preferable to assess whether a TFSA would be more appropriate.
The choice between an RRSP and a TFSA depends on your current and future tax situation. Generally, an RRSP is more advantageous when your tax rate is high.
Conversely, a TFSA offers increased flexibility and non-taxable withdrawals. If you have no tax to pay or if your income is low, a TFSA may be prioritized.
Before the RRSP deadline for 2025, take the time to evaluate your overall situation. Incorrect prioritization can reduce the real impact of your savings strategy.
The RRSP contribution deadline for 2025 is March 2, 2026. The maximum amount is 18% of your 2024 income, up to $32,490.
Your unused contribution room is automatically added to this limit. Before contributing, always check your contribution room in My Account CRA. Finally, ensure that an RRSP is the right vehicle for your tax situation.
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