How to change a past tax return Apr 11th
Tax implications of making transfers between registered accounts + MORE Dec 21st
The best RRSPs in Canada for 2023 + MORE Jan 4th
Is semi-retirement stressful? You bet—here’s what to do about it Jul 27th
Making sense of the markets this week: December 24, 2023 Dec 28th
How does a spousal RRSP withdrawal work?
– moneysense.ca
Spousal RRSP withdrawal rules: Timing matters
Tom, the rules around the timing of spousal registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) can be confusing. If you don’t time the withdrawal correctly it may be taxed in your name rather than your spouse’s name, which is not what you want.
Let me see if I can clear this up for you and then I’ll give you some ideas on why a spousal RRSP is a good income splitting tool.
To answer your question, when you make a spousal RRSP contribution you have to wait two full calendar years, with no contributions, before you can make a withdrawal that is taxed in your spouse’s hands.
In your case, Tom, you made a contribution in Dec. 2019. You didn’t make a contribution in 2020 or 2021 which means if your spouse draws from the spousal account in 2022, he/she will be taxed on the withdrawal, not you as the contributor…