Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) Guide for Issuers

RC4477(E) Rev. 24

The CRA's publications and personalized correspondence are available in braille, large print, e-text, or MP3. For more information go to About multiple formats or call 1-800-959-5525.

La version française de ce guide est intitulée Compte d’épargne libre d’impôt (CELI) Guide pour les émetteurs.

Unless otherwise stated, all legislative references are to the Income Tax Act or, where appropriate, the Income Tax Regulations.

Table of contents

Find out if this guide is for you

This guide is intended for use by issuers of the tax-free savings account (TFSA) and is divided into two parts.

Part I contains information on how to file the TFSA annual information return by Internet. The return includes the TFSA individual record and the TFSA return summary. You will also find details on failure to file a return and interest and penalties that may be applied.

Part II contains general TFSA information, such as general legislative information and the rules for beneficiaries of deceased TFSA holders. It also provides information on when to file a T4A or NR4 slip. We also explain tax implications when the TFSA holds a non qualified investment, when an advantage is extended, when there are excess contributions and when a non resident holder makes contributions.

This guide does not deal with every reporting situation.

We use plain language to explain the most common reporting situations. If you need more information after reading this guide, call 1-800-959-5525.

We have included definitions of some of the terms used in this guide in the Definitions section. You may want to read this section before you start.

For more information on how to file your TFSA annual information return electronically, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

Definitions

Note

In this definition, “12 continuous months” includes any period that you were separated for less than 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship.

Note

A survivor may designate a successor holder (for example, a new spouse or common‑law partner of the survivor in case of remarriage of the survivor). A successor holder designation is effective only if it is recognized under applicable provincial or territorial law and the successor holder acquired all of the survivor’s rights as holder, including the right to revoke any previous beneficiary designation made by the survivor in relation to the TFSA.

Swap transaction – this is any transfer of property between the TFSA and its holder (or non-arm's length person). Exceptions are provided for contributions to and distributions from the TFSA, purchase and sale transactions between the TFSA and another TFSA of the holder, and transactions relating to insured mortgages. For more information on swap transactions and applicable transitional rules, go to Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C3, Advantages – RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, FHSAs and TFSAs.

Unrelated persons – may not be dealing with each other at arm's length at a particular time. Each case will depend upon its own facts. The following criteria will be used to determine if the parties to a transaction are not dealing at arm's length:

For more information, go to Income Tax Folio S1-F5-C1, Related Persons and Dealing at Arm's Length.

Part I – Instructions related to filing the TFSA annual information return

Chapter 1 – The TFSA annual information return

Throughout this guide we use the term “TFSA individual record.” A TFSA individual record is similar to a slip except that TFSA issuers are not required to send their client a slip (for example, T4, T5). Therefore, when we refer to TFSA individual records, we are referring to what the issuers must submit to us.

You may have to send a T4A slip or NR4 slip. For more information, go to Chapter 1 – Death of a TFSA holder. You may also have to send notification of non-qualified investment to the holder. For more information, go to Chapter 2 – Tax payable on non-qualified investments.

A TFSA annual information return consists of both the TFSA individual records and the TFSA return summary. You have to fill out a return for each TFSAs exists at any time in the year. Once a TFSA is opened, an individual record must be filed, regardless of activity in the account. The information (data elements) required in order for us to process each of these forms is described in Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.

Note

If a record is filed in one year indicating that a TFSA was opened, we will expect to receive a record for the same TFSA in each year until such time as a record is filed with an indication that the account was closed in the year.

Do not prepare a TFSA individual record if the TFSA was reported as closed in the previous year’s TFSA annual information return. We do not consider a TFSA to have been closed just because there are no funds in the account or there has been no activity during the reporting year, or both.

Note

Once a TFSA is reported as closed, you cannot reopen it.

How to fill out a TFSA individual record

The TFSA individual record is used to report the information as listed in "Appendix A – Data elements – TFSA individual electronic record".

How to fill out a TFSA return summary

The TFSA return summary is used to report the totals of the amounts you reported on all the related TFSA individual records under the TFSA identification number. The totals have to agree with the amounts you reported in the TFSA individual records. Any discrepancies will cause the TFSA annual information return to be rejected.

Before completing the TFSA return summary, see "Appendix B – Data elements – TFSA return summary".

For more information, see Filing by Internet file transfer (XML).

How to produce an annual statement of information in the case of transfer between specimen plans or a change into a TFSA contract number

In situations where qualifying arrangements are transferred between specimen plans, there is no prescribed transfer form that you must fill out; however, both the transferring and receiving institutions should keep an internal record of the transfers.

Transfers

When arrangements are transferred from one specimen plan to another – whether or not there is a change in issuer – each account that was transferred “out” must be reported on the TFSA annual information return of the transferring specimen as a “TFSA account closed this year” with the “closing date,” provided all amounts have been transferred “out.” Similarly, each account that was transferred “in” must be reported on the TFSA annual information return of the receiving specimen as a “new TFSA account this year for this holder” if this is the first year filing for this contract for this holder. Any amounts transferred, as a result of the transfer of arrangements from one specimen to another, must not be reported as contributions or withdrawals on the TFSA annual information return. The transferred “in” amounts will be reflected in the year end FMV of the receiving specimen.

Change to a TFSA contract number

A TFSA contract consists of the combination of both the contract number and the TFSA ID number. If either number or both are changed, it represents a change to a holder’s contract. The issuer must report the old contract on the TFSA annual information return as a “TFSA account closed this year” with the “closing date” and report the new contract as a “new TFSA account this year for this holder.”

Example

If a qualifying arrangement set up for specimen plan A (TFSA ID 3456789) is transferred to specimen plan B (TFSA ID 1234567) as of June 30, 2024 (the closing date), all transactions that occurred on or before the date of the transfer must be reported under specimen plan A (TFSA ID 3456789). Select the “Y” indicator for the “TFSA account closed this year” and enter the “TFSA close date.” Any transactions that occur after the June 30, 2024, closing date must be reported under specimen plan B (TFSA ID 1234567) with the “Y” indicator selected for a “New TFSA account this year for this holder.”

A TFSA with a new TFSA ID number, a new contract number, or both is considered a new contract with a presumed opening date of January 1 of the year of the election.

The original contract will have an accumulated FMV up to the year-end preceding the transfer. This accumulated FMV will be reflected in the year end FMV of the new contract.

If you have questions after reading this information, please refer to Contact the Registered Plans Directorate.

Chapter 2 – Electronic filing methods

You can only file a TFSA annual information return by Internet using one of the four options mentioned below. We do not accept returns filed on CDs, DVDs, USB keys, diskettes or paper. You can file a TFSA annual information return by using:

If filing by Internet file transfer, the return must be in the mandatory Extensible Markup Language (XML) format and conform to our technical specifications (including the T619, Electronic Transmittal record), which can be found at Filing Information Returns Electronically (T4/T5 and other types of returns) under “XML specifications”. Use a validating parser before submitting the XML file to ensure it conforms to our schema. It can significantly assist in reducing the number of individual records that may be rejected.

For more information, go to Digital services for businesses.

You will receive immediate confirmation that we received your TFSA annual information return regardless of which method you use.

Internet filing will be available starting January 13, 2025.

Before you (the TFSA issuer) use any of the filing methods, you must have a valid TFSA RZ program account number.

The RZ program account number consists of three parts:

The entire account number has 15 characters. If you already have a BN, you only need to add the TFSA RZ program account number to your existing BN.

You can obtain a TFSA RZ program account by registering online through the Business Registration Online (BRO) or by filling out Form RC1, Request for a Business Number and Certain Program Accounts.

If a TFSA annual information return is filed with an invalid RZ program account number or if the RZ program account number does not match the information in our database, it will be rejected.

What you need to file

Business number (BN)

If you do not have a BN, you must first apply for a business number online through Business Registration Online (BRO), or fill out Form RC1, Request for a Business Number and Certain Program Accounts, and submit it to us. You can submit a request by phone, or you can send the applications by fax or mail. For a list of addresses and fax numbers where the form can be sent, or to register for a BN online, go to Business Number. To register by phone, call 1-800-959-5525.

Web access code

Effective October 2023, the web access code (WAC) digital service is enhanced to allow information return filers to create, view, replace or inactive your WAC.

Filing by Internet file transfer (XML)

Internet file transfer allows you to transmit an original or amended TFSA annual information return with a maximum file size of 150 megabytes (MB). All you need is a Web browser to connect to the Internet, and your software will create, print, and save your electronic information return in XML format. For more information about this filing method, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically (T4/T5 and other types of returns).

If you use commercial or in-house developed software to manage your business, you can file up to 150 MB by Internet file transfer. For example, a service bureau can file multiple returns in one submission, provided the total submission does not exceed the 150 MB restriction.

If your file is more than 150 MB, you can still file using the Internet file transfer application by either:

Regardless of the method used, each submission cannot exceed 150 MB and a compressed file can only contain one XML file per submission .

Note

If you are filing miltiple slips electronically for the same return type, tax year and account number, group all slips together under one summary and file as one return. File original and amended slips in separate returns.

An RZ program account number is not needed to use the Internet file transfer service, but the TFSA return you transmit must contain the TFSA issuer’s RZ program account number. For example, if you are a third party service provider, you do not need your own RZ program account number.

When using Internet file transfer, the information is automatically encrypted before it is submitted to us.

Multiple TFSA returns can be filed in one submission using the Internet file transfer application provided that the total submission does not exceed the 150 MB restriction.

Service providers must use their own BN and WAC – not the WAC of each TFSA issuer in the submission. For more information, go to Digital services.

Note

For ease of processing TFSA annual information returns, file other types of information slips under a separate transmission.

Filing by Web Forms

Our Web Forms application is free and secure. To use it, all you need is access to the Internet. With Web Forms you can fill out an information return easily, following the step-by-step instructions.

Web Forms lets you:

After you submit your information return, you will receive a confirmation number that will be your proof that we received it.

To use the Web Forms application, you must have a web access code. If you do not have a web access code, you can easily get one online or by calling us. 

To start using this application or to get more information about Web Forms, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically (T4/T5 and other types of returns).

Filing without a web access code

To register as a business owner, go to My Business Account and do the following:

To register as a representative, including employees of a business, go to Represent a Client and do the following:

Note
If the business authorizes you online in My Business Account, you will have immediate online access to the business accounts.

Once you are registered as the business owner, or registered and authorized as a representative, an employee, or a group of employees, you will be able to file or amend TFSA slips without a Web access code.

If there are rejected TFSA individual records, we will inform you by email.

What could cause a return or an individual record to be rejected

Any information that does not conform to our schema, including negative amounts, will cause the TFSA annual information return or the individual record to be rejected.

The dates must be provided in YYYY-MM-DD format. Inversions in the month and day may cause a reject if the month field is greater than 12.

If a field is left blank, it will cause a reject, except if the field indicates “if applicable,” such as the FMV at death if the holder is not deceased.

We strongly recommend that you use a validating parser before submitting the XML documents to ensure they conform to our schema.

For more information, go to Retrieving rejected individual records.

Chapter 3 – After you file

In this chapter, we explain how you can retrieve rejected TFSA individual records. We also explain how to amend, cancel, or add a TFSA individual record after you file as well as how to resubmit individual records that were previously rejected.

When we receive your TFSA annual information return, our system performs validation checks to confirm that the data was submitted correctly and issues you a submission number. The submission number is your confirmation that we received your TFSA annual information return. The file name, date, and time of receipt are indicated on the confirmation of receipt page.

If there are any problems with the processing of your return, we will contact you.

Retrieving rejected individual records

The downloadable file of rejected records will be available in both My Business Account and Represent a Client. We will only notify you of any rejected individual records by email. Make sure to provide us with a valid email address of the contact person for your TFSA RZ program account.

You can download rejected records using the “Download rejected TFSA individual records” service at:

Amending, cancelling, or adding individual records

Amending individual records

After filing your TFSA annual information return, you may notice an error on a TFSA individual record. If so, you will have to prepare an amended individual record to correct the information. When submitting an amended individual record, send the entire record and not just the portion that needs amending.

Amended records are shown in an XML file with report type code “A.”

The three possible report type codes are as follows:

An amended return can contain amended or cancelled records, but it cannot contain original records.

Do not send an amended record if you are modifying a contract number. For more information, see Cancelling individual records.

The summary and Form T619, Electronic Transmittal record, must show report type code “A,” not “O.”

The file must be in XML format.

For more information on how to amend records electronically, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically (T4/T5 and other types of returns) and select “How to Amend”.

To file amended individual records electronically, see Chapter 2 – Electronic filing methods

Example

The original records had the following two transactions:

Original records
Date of transaction Contribution Withdrawal
2024-01-04    $500.00 0
2024-12-29 $1,000.00 0

If you notice after filing that the contribution for December 29, 2023, should have been $100.00 and not $1,000.00, do not send a record with an adjustment of negative (-) $900.00. Send an amended record with the following transactions:

Amended record
Date of transaction Contribution Withdrawal
2024-01-04 $500.00 0
2024-12-23 $100.00 0

When submitting the amended individual record, all the original data on the previous individual record that is unchanged, as well as the modified data must be included.

Cancelling individual records

After filing your TFSA annual information return, you may need to fully remove an individual record. If so, you will have to submit a cancelled individual record for that contract number to remove the information for that year. When submitting a cancelled record, the XML file must show it is a report type code “C,” and must be identical to the most current record (original or amendment).

Use report type code “C” for the following scenarios:

A cancelled record applies to a particular reporting year. When we receive a cancelled record for a particular year, we will eliminate the contributions and withdrawals for that particular year and recalculate the contribution room and taxes for that year.

To cancel records for the same contract for more than one year, you have to submit the cancelled record for the last year first. Once we have accepted that cancelled individual record, submit the cancelled individual record for the next affected year. This process will help to avoid further rejections of records to financial institutions or referrals to the TFSA Processing Unit.

Never use report type code “C” when:

Use an amended record for any other data element you want to modify.

Adding individual records

After you file your TFSA annual information return, you may discover that you need to send us additional TFSA records. If you have original records that were not filed with your information return, file them in a separate original return. Do not combine the new records with previously submitted ones.

Note

Any additional slips that are filed after the due date may result in a penalty.

To file additional individual records electronically, go to Chapter 2 – Electronic filing methods.

For common types of errors, go to Table 1 – Error on individual records, and Table 2 – Large scale errors affecting a large number of accounts.

How to resubmit individual records that were rejected

After you file, you will be notified by email if a TFSA individual record has been rejected, and that a downloadable file is available either in My Business Account or in Represent a Client. If this is the case, you must correct the data and resubmit the individual record as an amended record. We will store the original record and match the amended record with the information on file.

Failure to resubmit an amended record in the case of a TFSA opened during the reporting year may result in the account not being registered as a TFSA and the client being subject to tax on the investment earnings. Failure to resubmit an amended record, whether or not the TFSA was opened in the reporting year, can also affect the calculation and notification of an individual’s TFSA contribution room.

Note

A rejected record is an individual record that has failed our validations but has been stored in our database. It is a record for which none of the data was used in any calculations and for which we are expecting an amended record.

For a complete list of all error codes and descriptive records, go to Error codes and descriptive messages for TFSA rejected individual records.

Table 1 – Errors on individual records
Type of error How to correct – type of record
Incorrect contract number. Submit a cancelled record with the incorrect contract number and then a new original record with the correct contract number.
Election declared invalid by CRA. Submit a cancelled record.
Record contained wrong social insurance number (SIN) or temporary tax number (TTN). Submit an amended record. If more than one year has been accepted under the wrong SIN or TTN, go to Cancelling individual records for correction procedures.
Correction of other identification data – date of birth, surname, etc. Submit an amended record.
Data corrections, contributions, withdrawals, marriage breakdown transfers, non-qualified investments, etc. Submit an amended record.
Most recent amendment is incorrect, previous version of record is correct. Submit an amended record. Do not use a cancelled record – a cancelled record will remove all data and cannot be used to revert to the previous version of a record.
Table 2 – Large-scale errors affecting a large number of accounts
Type of error How to correct – type of record
Records omitted from original return Do not cancel previously filed records – file new original return containing only the missing records
Incorrect BN used to report Contact us for determination of correction method
Incorrect TFSA identification number used to report Contact us for determination of correction method
Any other Contact us for determination of correction method

Chapter 4 – Penalties and interest

In this chapter, we explain the various penalties that may be applied on a TFSA annual information return.

A TFSA annual information return consists of TFSA individual records and the related TFSA return summary. A summary alone is not a TFSA annual information return. You have to fill out a TFSA annual information return if you prepare one or more TFSA individual records.

Due date

You have to file the TFSA annual information return by the last day of February following the calendar year to which the TFSA annual information return applies. If the last day of February is a Saturday or Sunday, your TFSA annual information return is due the next business day.

If you discontinue your business or activity, you have to file a return for the year or part-year no later than 30 days after the date the business or activity ended.

Late filing and failure to file the TFSA annual information return

The minimum penalty for late filing the TFSA annual information return is $100 and the maximum penalty is $7,500.

Failure to provide information on a return

Anyone who prepares a TFSA annual information return has to make a reasonable effort to get the necessary information, including the SIN or TTN and date of birth of the individual. If you fail to comply with this requirement, you may have to pay a $100 penalty for each offence.

Make sure that the SIN or TTN you enter on each TFSA individual record matches the TFSA holder’s SIN or valid TTN. You must also make sure that the name and date of birth match the information in our records.

If you have to prepare a TFSA annual information return, or if you are an officer, employee, or agent of someone who does, do not share a person's SIN or TTN, unless the law requires or allows you to do so, or you need it for the reason it was given to you.

If you use an individual’s SIN/TTN for unauthorized purposes, you may be guilty of an offence and liable, if convicted, to a maximum fine of $5,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

Interest on penalties

We charge interest, compounded daily at a prescribed rate, on the total amount of penalties and interest outstanding. Interest and penalties are payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

Notice of assessment

We will issue a notice of assessment for the TFSA annual information return only if we apply a penalty.

Part II – General TFSA information

In this part of the guide, we explain various general legislative rules, such as what to do when a TFSA holder dies or when the TFSA holder is a non-resident. We also explain tax implications on certain investments and what requirements you, as the issuer, have and how to report and file these amounts.

Chapter 1 – Death of a TFSA holder

In this chapter, we explain the reporting requirements that apply when the last holder dies and, as a result, the arrangement ceases to be a TFSA.

This information does not apply if the holder named their spouse or common-law partner as the successor holder of the TFSA. If this is the case, the arrangement maintains its tax-exempt status as a TFSA.

The tax treatment and reporting requirements depend on whether the TFSA is a deposit, an annuity contract, or a trust.

Deposit or annuity contract TFSA

When the last holder of a deposit or an annuity contract TFSA dies, the arrangement ceases to be a TFSA. The FMV of the TFSA at the date of death will be received tax-free by the deceased’s estate or other designated beneficiaries. There are no reporting requirements for these amounts.

Any investment income or gains that accrue under the former TFSA after the date of death will be taxable under the regular taxation rules that apply depending on the specific characteristics of the deposit or annuity contract. For more information on how to report these amounts, go to Guide T4015, T5 Guide – Return of Investment Income, or Guide T4013, T3 – Trust Guide, as applicable.

Trust governed by a TFSA

When the last holder of a TFSA which governs a trust dies, the arrangement continues to be treated as a TFSA for certain limited purposes. The main effect is to allow the trust to maintain its tax-exempt status until the end of the exempt period, which is the earlier of the end of the year following the year of death of the holder or when the trust ceases to exist.

While the trust maintains its exempt status, any payment made from the trust during the exempt period to the deceased’s estate or another designated beneficiary will be included in the recipient’s income for the year it’s received, except to the extent designated by the trust as being attributable to the FMV of the TFSA at death.

That is, only the portion of the payment that represents the distribution of post-death investment income or gains will be taxable. See the example below.

You have to prepare and file a T4A slip to report any taxable payments that you make each year during the exempt period to a beneficiary who is a resident of Canada. You do not need to report amounts that are required to be included in the income of a trust that is a former TFSA trust in its first taxable year. There is no requirement to withhold tax on these amounts.

The income must be recorded in box 134 “Tax Free Savings Account taxable amount” in the “Other information” section of the T4A slip. Send copies of the T4A slip to the recipient’s last known address.

Note

You can also send a copy of one of these slips in electronic format to the recipient if you received the recipient’s consent in writing or electronic format.

For more information, go to Guide RC4157, Deducting Income Tax on Pension and Other Income, and Filing the T4A Slip and Summary.

You have to prepare and file an NR4 slip to report any taxable payments that you make each year during the exempt period to a beneficiary who is a non-resident of Canada. You are also required to withhold and remit non-resident withholding tax on these payments.

For more information on how to fill out an NR4 information return, go to Guide T4061, NR4 – Non-Resident Tax Withholding, Remitting, and Reporting.

If the trust still exists at the end of the exempt period, the trust will become taxable from that point forward and will have to file Form T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return, each year that it continues to exist. In its first taxable year, the trust will be required to include in its income any post-death income or gains that were not paid out to beneficiaries during the exempt period.

Designated beneficiaries

Designated beneficiaries can include a survivor who has not been named as a successor holder, former spouses or common-law partners, children, a designated subsequent survivor holder who is the new spouse or common-law partner of the successor holder, and qualified donees.

Example

  • Holder date of death – February 15, 2024
  • No successor holder of the TFSA
  • FMV of the properties in the TFSA immediately before the death of the last holder – $11,000

Situation 1:
The estate is settled on September 30, 2024, and the TFSA is disposed of at a FMV of $11,000.

Tax treatment for situation 1:
The distribution can be made without tax consequences. The trustee, technically, makes a designation that the entire payment is from the non-taxable pool of pre-death FMV. No T4A slip is required but the transaction (the distribution) has to be reported to the CRA by the end of February 2025.

Situation 2:
The estate remains unsettled at the end of the calendar year of death, December 31, 2024. Properties held within the TFSA on December 31, 2024, have a FMV of $13,000. It is assumed from the facts that the trust continues to administer the TFSA.

Tax treatment for situation 2:
From the information provided, the exempt period in this example is the period from the date of the holder’s death (February 15, 2024) to the end of 2025. Even though there was a taxable growth, since the proceeds continue to be held by the trust (that is, no distributions [payments] are being made), no T4A slip is required. As well, there is no requirement for T3 reporting since the trust itself is deemed to retain its non-taxable status until the end of the exempt period.

Situation 3:
The estate is still not settled but a payment is made to a beneficiary on July 15, 2024. At the time of the payment the FMV of the properties still held by the TFSA has appreciated to $15,000. In scenario (a) the entire $15,000 is distributed to the beneficiary. In scenario (b) only $11,000 is distributed.

Tax treatment for situation 3:
In scenario (a), the trustee determines that up to $11,000 of the payment may be designated as being made out of the non-taxable pool, which leaves the remaining $4,000 as a taxable payment. The $4,000 is reported on a T4A slip. The income must be recorded in box 134 “Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) taxable amount,” in the “Other information” section of the T4A slip, and is included on the beneficiary’s tax return for the 2024 tax year. The trustee will report the transaction by the end of February 2025.

In scenario (b), the trustee determines that up to $11,000 of the payment may be designated as being made out of the non-taxable pool. A lesser amount may be designated as a distribution from that pool. To the extent that the payment is not from that pool, it is a taxable payment to the beneficiary to be reported to us by the end of February 2025. The balance remains in the TFSA trust until it is distributed or until the end of the exempt period (December 31, 2025), whichever occurs earlier. Should the balance of the funds remain in the trust after the end of the exempt period, the trust then becomes an ordinary taxable trust with a tax year beginning January 1, 2026. Any taxable income that had not previously been distributed will become income of the trust in that first taxable year.

Chapter 2 – Tax payable on non-qualified investments

In this chapter, we explain the consequences for TFSA issuers of holding a non-qualified investment within a TFSA trust and related reporting requirements.

If a TFSA holds a non-qualified investment or carries on a business, the TFSA trust is taxable on any income earned on and any capital gains derived from the non-qualified investment or business. You must report such income on Form T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return.

The TFSA issuer has to report details of the non-qualified investment on the TFSA annual information return. For more information, go to Appendix A – Data elements – TFSA individual electronic record.

In addition, the TFSA issuer must provide the TFSA holder with the following information by the end of February following the reporting year:

Responsibility for compliance with the qualified investment rules generally lies with TFSA issuers. In this regard, TFSA issuers must take reasonable care to ensure that TFSAs do not hold non-qualified investments.

Note

Communication of non-qualified investment holdings to the holder on a timely basis will assist the holder in taking appropriate corrective action.

For more information on non-qualified investments, go to Guide RC4466, Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), Guide for Individuals, and Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C1, Qualified Investments — RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, FHSAs and TFSAs.

Chapter 3 – Tax on an advantage

In this chapter, we explain the tax consequences to a TFSA issuer when an advantage is extended in relation to the TFSA.

In most cases the holder is liable for the advantage tax. However, if the advantage is considered to be extended by the TFSA issuer, or by a person not dealing at arm’s length with the issuer, the issuer is liable to pay the tax, rather than the holder.

For more information, go to Guide RC4466, Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), Guide for Individuals, and refer to “Tax payable on an advantage.” Also go to Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C3, Advantages — RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, FHSAs and TFSAs.

If you are liable to pay tax on an advantage, you must fill out and send Form RC298, Advantage Tax Return for RRSP, TFSA, FHSA or RDSP issuers, RESP promoters, or RRIF carriers by June 30th after the end of the calendar year.

Chapter 4 – Tax payable on prohibited investments

If, in a calendar year, a trust governed by a TFSA acquires property that is a prohibited investment or if previously acquired property becomes prohibited, there are consequences for the TFSA holder in terms of reporting requirements and tax payable.

For more information, go to Guide RC4466, Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), Guide for Individuals, and refer to “Tax payable on prohibited investments.” Also go to Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C2, Prohibited Investments — RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs FHSAs and TFSAs.

Chapter 5 – Taxes on excess and non-resident contributions

TFSA holders are liable for a 1% per-month tax on their excess contributions and non-resident contributions. For more information, go to RC4466 Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), Guide for Individuals.

The application of these taxes will be administered by us. You, the issuer, do not have to specifically identify any withdrawals made by the holder to avoid the continued application of these taxes. Any such withdrawals will be reported as regular withdrawals. You also do not have to report to us when a holder becomes a non-resident.

Appendix A – Data elements – TFSA individual electronic record

When a monetary value is required, you must report the amount in Canadian dollars and cents. For more information, go to Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency. You must make reasonable efforts to determine the FMV when it is required to be reported. Do not report negative values, as negative values on the TFSA electronic record will result in the record being rejected. You can also find this information by going to TFSA annual information return.

Required transaction data for a TFSA individual electronic record
TFSA Transaction Data Comments
Transaction date – year-month-day Enter all numeric characters (for example 2023-09-28). You must enter the transaction date of each individual transaction.
TFSA contribution amount Each contribution must be detailed by day from January 1 to December 31.
TFSA withdrawal amount Each withdrawal must be detailed by day from January 1 to December 31.
Marriage breakdown transfer out – FMV To be reported by the issuer that does the actual transfer out.
Marriage breakdown transfer in – FMV To be reported by the issuer that does the actual transfer in.
Surname of former spouse or common-law partner

Enter only the former spouse or common-law partner’s surname (maximum of 30 letters). Omit titles, such as Mr. or Mrs., and do not include the first given name or initials. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.

The surname you provide must match the surname contained in our database for that SIN. You may want to advise your client that if they make a surname change, they have to inform both the CRA and the TFSA issuer.

Given name of former spouse or common-law partner Enter only the former spouse or common-law partner’s first given name (maximum of 30 letters). If only the initials are available, provide the first initial. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.
Social insurance number (SIN) or temporary tax number (TTN) of former spouse or common-law partner

Provide the SIN or the individual’s TTN. If the field is left blank or contains an invalid SIN or TTN, the submitted return or individual record will be rejected.

A valid SIN does not start with the number 0.

A valid TTN for TFSA contributions starts with the number 01 or 03.

All 900-series SINs have an expiry date. At the time the arrangement is entered into, you must validate the SIN’s expiry date for this client. If at that time the date is expired, the client is not allowed to open a TFSA. A TFSA remains valid even when a 900-series SIN expires after the arrangement is entered into but before the issuer files the TFSA annual information return.

A 900-series SIN is issued to an individual who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident. These individuals need a SIN for employment purposes, or to comply with other authorized uses, such as income tax filing. Holders of these SINs include temporary foreign workers and refugee claimants.

Acquisition of non-qualified investment – FMV This refers to situations where a non-qualified investment is acquired, or a qualified investment became non-qualified.
Withdrawal of non-qualified investments – FMV This refers to situations where a non-qualified investment is disposed of or a non-qualified investment became qualified.
Business number (BN)

15 alphanumeric characters  9 digits  RZ  4 digits.

Example: 123456789RZ0001. The BN must correspond to the “business number (BN)” on the related TFSA summary record.

TFSA identification number

8 numeric characters which must correspond to the TFSA identification number on the related TFSA summary record.

If this field is left blank or the number is not valid, the return will be rejected.

TFSA contract number

Maximum of 30 alphanumeric characters. The TFSA contract or account number issued by the issuer to the TFSA holder.

Assign a unique identifier number to each TFSA under the same TFSA identification number. This will ensure that we can identify the original individual record when any amended individual record is received. In addition, it will enable the issuer to identify which record in the submission was rejected. Make sure to provide this account number in the same format every year to avoid any rejects.

If this field is left blank or the number is not unique, the return will be rejected.

TFSA holder social insurance number (SIN) or temporary tax number (TTN)

Provide the SIN or the individual’s TTN. If the field is left blank or contains an invalid SIN or TTN, the return or individual record will be rejected.

A valid SIN does not start with the number 0.

A valid TTN for TFSA contributions starts with the number 01 or 03.

All 900-series SINs have an expiry date. At the time the arrangement is entered into, you must validate the SIN’s expiry date for this client. If at that time the date is expired, the client is not allowed to open a TFSA. A TFSA remains valid even when a 900-series SIN expires after the arrangement is entered into but before the issuer files the TFSA annual information return.

A 900-series SIN is issued to an individual who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident. These individuals need a SIN for employment purposes, or to comply with other authorized uses, such as income tax filing. Holders of these SINs include temporary foreign workers and refugee claimants.

TFSA holder surname

Enter only the holder’s surname (maximum of 30 letters). Omit titles, such as Mr. or Mrs., and do not include the first given name or initials. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.

The surname you provide must match the surname contained in our database for that SIN. You may want to advise your client that if they make a surname change, they have to inform both the CRA and the TFSA issuer.

TFSA holder given name Enter only the holder’s first given name (maximum of 30 letters). If only the initials are available, provide the first initial. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.
TFSA holder initial Enter the initial of the holder’s second given name.
TFSA holder address – line 1 Enter the first line of the TFSA holder’s address.
TFSA holder address – line 2 Enter the second line of the TFSA holder’s address.
TFSA holder city Enter the city in which the TFSA holder is located.
TFSA holder province or territory code

Enter the Canadian province, territory or the state in the U.S.A. in which the TFSA holder is located.

Use the abbreviations listed in the T619, Electronic Transmittal record, under the section “Transmitter province or territory code.”

When the TFSA holder’s country code is neither CAN nor USA, enter ZZ in this field.

TFSA holder country code

Use the alphabetic country code (3 alpha characters), as outlined in the International Standards Organization (ISO) 3166, Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions.

Always use CAN for Canada, and USA for the United States of America.

TFSA holder postal code Enter the TFSA holder’s Canadian postal code in alphanumeric sequence (for example: A9A9A9) or the USA zip code. Where the country code is neither CAN nor USA, enter the foreign postal code (maximum 10 alphanumeric characters).
TFSA holder date of birth – year – month – day Enter all numeric characters (for example 1991-09-28).
TFSA holder date of death – year – month – day Enter all numeric characters (for example 2024-09-28). Fill out this field in the year of death of the last holder. If the account has a successor holder, do not report the date of death in this field. See the field “Successor holder account: Y or N
TFSA holder FMV at time of death

Fill out this field for the year of death of the last holder. If the account has a successor holder, do not report the FMV at death.

Example

In 2024 John Smith opened a TFSA, account number 12345. Jane Smith, his wife, is named the successor holder of this TFSA. John dies in 2025.

For reporting year 2024, file the individual record under John’s name and SIN for TFSA contract 12345, and indicate “N” for no in the “Successor holder account” field.

For reporting year 2025, file the individual record for the TFSA account number 12345 with all the transactions under Jane’s name and SIN. Indicate “Y for yes in the “Successor holder account” field and provide John’s name, SIN, and date of death. Do not file an individual record for John for the year of death.
The individual record submitted for Jane will not include the FMV at death. Under this TFSA account number 12345, you will complete the FMV at death and the date of death only when the last holder dies.

In subsequent years, do not answer yes or provide the deceased’s information. However, if you do answer yes then you will have to provide the deceased’s information as well. If you answer yes but do not provide the deceased’s information, or you answer no but you provide the deceased’s information, it will cause the record to be rejected.

 

New TFSA account this year for this holder: Y or N

To register the arrangement is as a TFSA under the SIN or TIN of the holder. Also, to register this arrangement the election must be filed before the month of March after the end of the year that the arrangement was entered into. A TFSA identification number is the number we assign to each specimen that has been accepted by the Registered Plans Directorate.

Identifying new accounts is an important step in processing individual records.

The only time “Y” for yes would show in this field is when you file a TFSA contract or account number for the first time. For other years, indicate “N” for no. If the holder dies in a year subsequent to the year of election and there is a successor holder, this field should still show “N” for no.

TFSA account closed this year:
Y or N

Enter “Y” for yes and provide the closing date if the account was closed during the year. Once an account is closed, the TFSA contract or account number cannot be reused under the particular TFSA identification number because of the unique identifier requirement.

If the holder has withdrawn all funds from an account in the previous year and there is no activity in that account throughout the current year, we consider the account to still be open. You would still have to file an individual record for each year for this TFSA contract or account number.

TFSA close date – year – month – day Enter all numeric characters (for example 2024-09-28).
Successor holder account: Y or N

If, in the year of the holder’s death, a successor holder exists at the time of death, indicate “Y” for yes. You will be required to provide the name, SIN, and date of death of the holder.

When an excess TFSA amount exists, that amount will be deemed a contribution made by the successor holder at the beginning of the month following the month in which the holder dies. Do not report that deemed contribution on the individual record. The CRA will update the successor holder file.

In subsequent years, do not answer yes or provide the deceased’s information. However, if you do answer yes then you will have to provide the deceased’s information as well. If you answer yes but do not provide the deceased’s information, or you answer “N” for no, but you provide the deceased’s information, it will cause the record to be rejected.

See the example under “TFSA holder FMV at time of death,” above.

Surname of deceased holder

Enter only the deceased holder’s surname (maximum of 30 letters). Omit titles, such as Mr. or Mrs., and do not include the first given name or initials. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.

The surname you provide must match the surname contained in our database for that SIN. You may want to advise your client that if they make a surname change they have to inform both the CRA and the TFSA issuer.

Given name of deceased holder Enter only the deceased holder’s first given name (maximum of 30 letters). If only the initials are available, provide the first initial. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.
Initial of deceased holder Enter the initial of the deceased holder’s second given name.
Social insurance number (SIN) or temporary tax number (TTN) of deceased holder

Provide the SIN or the individual’s TTN. If the field is left blank or contains an invalid SIN or TTN, the return or individual record will be rejected.

A valid SIN does not start with the number 0.

A valid TTN for TFSA contributions starts with the number 01 or 03.

All 900-series SINs have an expiry date. At the time the arrangement is entered into, you must validate the SIN’s expiry date for this client. If at that time the date is expired, the client is not allowed to open a TFSA. A TFSA remains valid even when a 900-series SIN expires after the arrangement is entered into but before the issuer files the TFSA annual information return.

A 900 series SIN is issued to an individual who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident. These individuals need a SIN for employment purposes, or to comply with other authorized uses, such as income tax filing. Holders of these SINs include temporary foreign workers and refugee claimants.

TFSA deceased holder date of death – year-month-day Enter all numeric characters (for example 2024-09-28). Fill out this field when you answer “Y” for yes to “Successor holder account: Y or N.”
Calendar year end FMV You must fill out this field for each year the account is open even if there is no activity throughout the year and/or the value is nil. The FMV cannot be negative.
Total number of transaction records Enter the total number of transaction records included in this slip.
Total holder contributions Enter the total of all contributions.
Total holder withdrawals Enter the total of all amounts withdrawn.
Total holder transfer out – Marriage breakdown – FMV Enter the total of all transfers out.
Total holder transfer in – Marriage breakdown – FMV Enter the total of all transfers in.
Report type code

Original = O
Amendment = A
Cancelled = C

An amended return cannot contain an original slip. An original return cannot contain an amended or cancelled slip.

Appendix B – Data elements – TFSA return summary

When a monetary value is required, you must report the amount in Canadian dollars and cents. For more information, go to Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency. You must make reasonable efforts to determine FMV when it is required to be reported. Do not report negative values, as negative values on the TFSA electronic record will result in the record being rejected.

Required data elements for a TFSA return summary
Field Names Comments
Business number (BN)

15 alphanumeric characters – 9 digits – RZ – 4 digits.

Example: 123456789RZ0001

In order to process a return, the complete BN is required.

Summary type code

Original = O
Amendment = A

An amended return cannot contain an original slip. An original return cannot contain an amended or cancelled slip.

Reporting year

Enter the tax year: 4 numeric characters (for example, 2023).

Make sure that the year you enter is the same as the year on the transaction dates of the individual records.

TFSA identification number

8 numeric characters.

A TFSA identification number is the number we assign to each specimen that has been accepted by the Registered Plans Directorate. For more information, see Savings and pension plan administrators and select "Tax-Free Savings Account administration".

Total number of TFSA slips Enter the total number of transaction records included in this summary. Maximum of 7 numeric characters.
Filer name – line 1 If an ampersand (&) is used in the name area, enter as "&amp". Maximum of 35 alphanumeric characters.
Filer name – line 2 Maximum of 35 alphanumeric characters.
Filer name – line 3 Use this line for "care of" or "attention". Maximum of 35 alphanumeric characters.
Filer address – line 1 Maximum of 30 alphanumeric characters.
Filer address – line 2 Maximum of 30 alphanumeric characters.
Filer city Maximum of 28 alphanumeric characters.
Filer province or territory code

Enter the Canadian province, territory or the state in the U.S.A. in which the filer is located.

Use the abbreviations listed in the T619, Electronic Transmittal record, under the section "Transmitter province or territory code".

When the TFSA holder’s country code is neither CAN nor USA, enter ZZ in this field.

Filer country code

Use the alphabetic country code (3 alpha characters), as outlined in the International Standards Organization (ISO) 3166 Codes, for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions.

Always use CAN for Canada, and USA for the United States of America.

Filer postal code Enter the TFSA filer’s Canadian postal code in an alphanumeric sequence (for example: A9A9A9) or the USA zip code. Where the country code is neither CAN nor USA, enter the foreign postal code (maximum 10 alphanumeric characters).
Contact surname Enter only the contact’s surname (maximum of 30 letters). Omit titles, such as Mr. or Mrs., and do not include the first given name or initials. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.
Contact given name Enter only the contact’s first given name (maximum of 30 letters). If only the initials are available, provide the first initial. Do not use French accents. If it is a compound name, do not use a hyphen or space.
Contact telephone number Enter 3 numeric characters with a hyphen (-) followed by 3 numeric characters with a hyphen (-), followed by 4 numeric characters.
Contact extension number Maximum of 5 numeric characters.
Contact email address Maximum of 60 alphanumeric characters. Enter the contact’s email address. This is the only way we will advise you that information has been posted on My Business Account, which will indicate the status of the TFSA annual information return and the individual records being rejected. If you are the representative, use the Represent a Client service.
Total contributions amount Enter the total amount of all contributions.
Total withdrawals amount Enter the total amount of all withdrawals.
Total calendar year-end FMV Enter the total FMV. The FMV must also include the FMV of accounts that had no activity during the year.
Total transfers out – marriage breakdown amount Enter the total amount of transfers out as a result of marriage breakdown, if applicable.
Total transfers in – marriage breakdown amount Enter the total amount of transfers in as a result of marriage breakdown, if applicable.

Forms

 

Guides

Income tax folios

Information circulars

Digital services

Handling your business taxes online

My Business Account lets you view and manage your business taxes online.

Use My Business Account throughout the year to:

To sign in to or register for the CRA’s online services, go to:

For more information, go to Digital services for businesses.

Receive your CRA mail online

Register for email notifications to find out when CRA mail, like your notice of assessment, is available in My Business Account.

For more information, go to email notifications from the CRA.

Create a pre-authorized debit agreement from your Canadian chequing account

A pre-authorized debit (PAD) is a secure, online self-service, payment option for individuals and businesses to pay their taxes. A PAD lets you authorize withdrawals from your Canadian chequing account to pay the CRA. You can set the payment dates and amounts of your PAD agreement using the CRA’s secure My Business Account service. PADs are flexible and managed by you. You can use My Business Account to view your account history and modify, cancel, or skip a payment. For more information, go to Pay by pre-authorized debit.

My Payment

My Payment is an electronic payment service offered by the CRA that allows individuals and businesses to make payments online directly to the CRA using their bank access cards, Visa Debit®, or Debit MasterCard®.

Use this service to make a payment to one or more CRA accounts in one simple transaction.

For more information, go to My Payment.

For more information

If you need help

If you need more information after reading this guide, go to Taxes, or call 1-800-959-5525.

Forms and publications

The CRA encourages you to file your return electronically. If you require a paper version of the CRA's forms and publications, go to Forms and publications or call 1-800-959-5525.

Direct deposit

Direct deposit is a fast, convenient, and secure way to get your CRA payments directly into your account at a financial institution in Canada. For more information and ways to enroll, go to Direct deposit - Canada Revenue Agency or contact your financial institution. 

Electronic mailing lists

The CRA can notify you by email when new information on a subject of interest to you is available on the website. To subscribe to the electronic mailing lists, go to Canada Revenue Agency electronic mailing lists.

Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS)

For tax information by telephone, use the CRA's automated service, TIPS, by calling 1-800-267-6999.

Teletypewriter (TTY) users

If you use a TTY for a hearing or speech impairment, call 1-800-665-0354.

If you use the Canada VRS application, call 1-800-561-6393.

If you use another operator-assisted relay service, call the CRA's regular telephone numbers instead of the TTY or Canada VRS numbers.

Formal disputes (objections and appeals)

You have the right to file an objection if you disagree with an assessment, a determination or decision.
For more information go to "File an objection".

CRA Service Feedback Program

Service complaints

You can expect to be treated fairly under clear and established rules and get a high level of service each time you deal with the CRA.

For more information about the Taxpayer Bill of Rights go to Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

You may provide compliments or suggestions, and if you are not satisfied with the service you received:

  1. try to resolve the matter with the employee you have been dealing with or call the telephone number provided in the correspondence you received from the CRA. If you do not have contact information for the CRA, go to Contact information – Canada Revenue Agency.
  2. If you have not been able to resolve your service-related issue, you can ask to discuss the matter with the employee’s supervisor.
  3. If the problem is still not resolved, you can file a service-related complaint by filling out Form RC193, Service Feedback. For more information and to learn how to file a complaint, go to Submit service feedback.

If you are not satisfied with how the CRA has handled your service-related complaint, you can submit a complaint with the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson.

Reprisal complaints

If you have received a response regarding a previously submitted service complaint or a formal review of a CRA decision and feel you were not treated impartially by a CRA employee, you can submit a reprisal complaint by filling out Form RC459, Reprisal Complaint.

For more information go to "File an objection".

Due dates

When the due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or public holiday recognized by the CRA, your payment is considered on time if the CRA receives it on or before the next business day.

For more information, go to Important dates for corporations.

Cancel or waive penalties and interest

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers legislation, commonly called taxpayer relief provisions, that gives the CRA's discretion to cancel or waive penalties and interest when taxpayers cannot meet their tax obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.

The CRA’s discretion to grant relief is limited to any period that ends within 10 calendar years before the year in which a relief request is made.

For penalties, the CRA will consider your request only if it relates to a tax year or fiscal period ending in any of the 10 calendar years before the year in which you make your request. For example, your request made in 2024 must relate to a penalty for a tax year or fiscal period ending in 2014 or later.

For interest on a balance owing for any tax year or fiscal period, the CRA will consider only the amounts that accrued during the 10 calendar years before the year in which you make your request. For example, your request made in 2024 must relate to interest that accrued in 2014 or later.

Taxpayer relief requests can be made online using the CRA's My Account, My Business Account (MyBA), or Represent a Client digital services:

You can fill out Form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief – Cancel or Waive Penalties and Interest and send it with one of the following ways:

For information on the "Submit Documents online" service, go to Submit documents online.

For more details on the required supporting documents, relief from penalties and interest, and other related forms and publications, go to Cancel or waive penalties and interest.

Page details

Date modified: