Amidst inflation and the high cost of living across Canada, some Canadians may have had to dip into their retirement savings to offset financial strain.
For some Canadians, tapping into their retirement savings plan last year – such as their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) – was the right financial decision for them, even if doing so meant paying more taxes this year.
"If you were like one of the many Canadians who had to withdraw from their retirement savings plan for financial relief last year, there's a possibility you'll owe taxes this April," said Tannis Dawson, Vice President of High Net Worth Planning at TD Wealth.
So, what are the tax implications for anyone who chose to withdraw from their retirement plan?
What is the RRSP withdrawal withholding tax?
"When you withdraw from an RRSP, a withholding tax is immediately charged,” Dawson said.
“The withholding tax rate differs – anywhere from 10 to 30% – depending on how much you withdrew from your plan and the province you reside in. But it's important to know that the withholding tax often isn't enough to cover the total tax you'll owe, as this will also depend on which tax bracket you fall into the year you withdrew.”
Still, not everyone who withdrew from their retirement savings plan will be subject to taxes.
For example, someone who withdrew money from their RRSP under certain government programs – such as either the Home Buyers' Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan – and used the funds for purchasing their first home or continuing education, would have done so tax free, Dawson said. (Both of these programs are subject to specific eligibility requirements and conditions).
And not everyone who withdrew from their retirement plan did so out of necessity or to get financial relief.
Withdrawing from an RRSP when you anticipate a lower income from one year to the next
Since some Canadians may have earned less in 2023 compared to other years, some may have chosen to opportunistically withdraw from their RRSP or RRIF for the tax benefits of withdrawing in a year when they were in a lower tax bracket.
For anyone who's anticipating a lower-than-normal income for 2024 and considering withdrawing from their retirement plans this year, Dawson flags that the Canada Revenue Agency may require you to start making tax instalment payments in subsequent years.
"People should be mindful that you'll not only have to pay taxes on retirement plan withdrawals in April, but the CRA may also require you to pay installments which are usually required in September and December respectively, which would be applied to your taxes the following year," said Dawson.
Dawson said this requirement to pay instalments depends on the amount of tax you owe in April in excess of amounts withheld at source (e.g. payroll withholding, or tax withheld on RRSP withdrawals).
"Some Canadians might be assuming their income will be lower this year, so they might consider reducing the amounts they currently pay in tax installments," Dawson said.
"If you're in this scenario, do your best to estimate your earnings accurately for the year. Because, if your assumptions are incorrect and you actually earn more, you'll likely have to pay more tax when you file the return. CRA may charge penalties for not paying the required installments during the year. As an alternative, you may want to consider paying the first couple installments in full and then reduce the last one or two once you have a better idea of your income for the year."
To help ensure you're making the right decisions for you, Dawson recommends planning ahead as much as you can. You may want to consider getting advice from a tax professional to help you manage your tax owing and to avoid potential penalties and interest.
For more information on tax filing, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website or speak to a tax professional.