Filing the T4RSP and T4RIF information returns

T4079(E) Rev. 23

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Find out if this guide is for you

This guide has information on how to fill out the T4RSP and T4RIF information returns. You can find samples of these forms in Appendix A and Appendix B.

This guide does not deal with every tax situation. However, the section Related forms and publications lists other publications that deal with registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) and registered retirement income funds (RRIFs).

Throughout the guide, we refer to other forms and publications. If you need any of these go to Forms and publications or call 1-800-959-5525.

Confidentiality of information

Under the Privacy Act, the information you give on the T4RSP and T4RIF information returns and any related forms can be used only for the purposes authorized by law.

Unless otherwise stated, all legislative references are to the Income Tax Act and Income Tax Regulations.

What's new

Requirement for reporting the fair market value (FMV)

Starting January 1, 2024, payers (issuers or carriers) have to file an information return to report the total FMV at the end of the year of all property held by the RRSP or RRIF. The FMV can only be filed by Internet file transfer (XML) or Web Forms. For more information on FMV reporting, go to Payers (issuers or carriers) who have to file an information return.

New box added to the information returns (slips)

Box 38 – FMV amount of RRSP or RRIF. This is the FMV amount of the RRSP or RRIF at the end of the year that you have to report. This annual reporting requirement is in effect starting January 1, 2024 and subsequent taxation years. The FMV can only be filed by Internet file transfer or Web Forms. For more information, go to Box 38 for T4RSP or Box 38 for T4RIF.

Remittance or payment to the Receiver General of Canada

As of January 1, 2024, payments or remittances to the Receiver General of Canada should be made as an electronic payment if the amount is more than $10,000. Payers may face a penalty, unless they cannot reasonably remit or pay the amount electronically. For more information, go to Payments to the CRA.

New electronic filing requirement

For returns filed after December 31, 2023, they must be filed electronically if the number of returns (slips) is more than 5. For more information, go to Electronic filing methods.

New penalty on the number of information returns (slips) filed

Starting January 1, 2024, the penalty applies if you file more than 5 information returns (slips) for a calendar year and you do not file the returns by Internet File Transfer or Web Forms. For more information, go to Mandatory electronic filing.

Table of contents

Definitions

Common-law partner – a person who is not your spouse, with whom you are living in a conjugal relationship, and to whom at least one of the following situations applies. The person:

Deferred profit-sharing plan (DPSP) – an employer-sponsored plan we register, in which the employer shares the profits of a business with all the employees or a designated group of employees.

Fair market value (FMV) – is generally considered to mean the highest price expressed in terms of money that can be obtained in an open and unrestricted market between informed and prudent parties, who are dealing at arm's length and under no compulsion to buy or sell.

Non-qualified investment – any property that is not a qualified investment for the RRSP or RRIF trust. See the definition of Qualified investment.

Pooled registered pension plan (PRPP)a retirement savings plan to which you or your participating employer or both can contribute. Any income earned in the PRPP is usually exempt from tax as long as it remains in the plan.

Qualifying survivor – the deceased annuitant's spouse or common-law partner or the deceased annuitant's financially dependent child or grandchild.

Qualified investment – an investment in properties (except real properties), including money, guaranteed investment certificates, government and corporate bonds, mutual funds, and securities listed on a designated stock exchange.

For more information, see Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C1, Qualified Investments – RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, and TFSAs.

Registered pension plan (RPP) – a pension plan that we have registered. Funds are contributed by an employer, or by an employer and employees, to provide a pension to employees when they retire.

Specified pension plan (SPP) – a pension plan or similar arrangement that has been prescribed under the Income Tax Regulations as a “specified pension plan” for purposes of the Income Tax Act. Many of the rules related to RRSPs also apply to SPPs.

Spouse – a person to whom you are legally married.

Chapter 1 – General information

T4RSP and T4RIF information returns

Use the T4RSP and T4RIF information returns to report amounts from an RRSP or a RRIF that residents of Canada have to include in or can deduct from their income. Use the T4RSP information return to report amounts residents must include on Schedule 7, RRSP, PRPP and SPP Contributions and Transfers, and HBP and LLP Activities. For information about payments to non-residents of Canada, see Chapter 7 – Payments to non-residents of Canada.

To prepare a T4RSP or a T4RIF information return, you must fill out the T4RSP or T4RIF slips and the related summary. A summary alone is not an information return.

The slip – The slip is used to report amounts a taxpayer must include on their income tax and benefit return or on their Schedule 7, RRSP, PRPP and SPP Contributions and Transfers, and HBP and LLP Activities. For information on how to fill out the T4RSP and the T4RIF slips, see Chapter 3 – How to fill out the T4RSP and T4RIF slips. See a sample of the T4RSP and T4RIF.

The summary – Use the summary to register the total of all amounts reported on all related slips. For information on how to fill out the summary, see Filling out the T4RSP and T4RIF Summary. See a sample of the T4RSP Summary and the T4RIF Summary.

Payers (issuers or carriers) who have to file an information return

New rule for filing starting January 1, 2024

Starting January 1, 2024, you have to file an information return to report the total FMV of all property held by the RRSP or RRIF at the end of the year. The FMV can only be filed by Internet file transfer (XML) or Web Forms.

For more information on electronic filing, go to How to file information returns.

You have to file an information return to report the following amounts you paid or are considered to have paid to residents of Canada:

Electronic filing methods

To know when internet filing will be available, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

For returns filed before January 1, 2024, you must file information returns electronically if you file more than 50 slips for a calendar year.

For returns filed after December 31, 2023, you must file electronically if you file more than 5 slips for a calendar year.

As of January 1, 2024, payments or remittances to the Receiver General of Canada should be made as an electronic payment if the amount is more than $10,000. Payers may face a penalty, unless they cannot reasonably remit or pay the amount electronically. For more information, go to Make a payment for individuals.

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 that the total submission does not exceed the 150 MB restriction.

If your return is more than 150 MB, you can either compress your return or divide it so that each submission is no more than 150 MB.

Note 

If you are filing multiple 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. For more information on filing information returns using the Internet, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

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. For more information, see Web access code.

To start using this application or to get more information, go to Web Forms.

Filing by Internet file transfer (XML)

Internet file transfer allows you to transmit an original or amended information return with a maximum file size of 150 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, contact your software publisher or go to Filing information returns electronically.

For help with filing or amending a T4RSP or T4RIF return using Internet file transfer, contact one of the following:

Web access code

To file your return over the Internet using the Internet file transfer or Web Forms service, your will need a business number and its associated web access code (WAC), unless you are filing through My Business Account or Represent a Client. For more information about these services, see the next section "Filing without a Web access code." If you have misplaced or do not have a WAC, go to Filing Information Returns Electronically to access our web access code online service. If you cannot get your WAC online or would like to change it, call the e-Services Helpdesk at 1-800-959-5525.

In October 2023, the Web Access Code digital service was enhanced to allow information return filers to create, view, replace, or inactivate their web access code.

For more information, or to obtain your web access code, visit Online Web access code.

Filing without a Web access code

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

You must enter a CRA security code to finalize the registration process. You can ask for the CRA security code by paper mail or email.

Return to My Business Account, to enter your CRA security code.

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 T4RSP and T4RIF slips without a Web access code.

Filing on paper

If you file 1 to 50 slips, we strongly encourage you to file online using Internet file transfer or Web Forms. However, you can still file up to 50 slips on paper before 2024.

Starting January 1, 2024, you can only file up to 5 slips on paper. If you file more than 5 slips for a calendar year, you must file them electronically.

If you need more paper copies, you can order a maximum of 9 single-page slips that have three slips per page intended for printers, for typing, or to be filled out by hand, at Forms and publications or by calling 1-800-959-5525.

If you choose to file your return on paper, mail it to:

Canada Revenue Agency
Jonquière Tax Centre
T4RSP and T4RIF Program
Post Office Box 1300, LCD Jonquière
Jonquière QC  G7S 0L5

Fill out one copy of the T4RSP or T4RIF slip for each recipient and send them with your T4RSP or T4RIF Summary. Enter the information for three different recipients on one sheet. You must keep a copy of the T4RSP or T4RIF slips and the T4RSP or T4RIF Summary for your files.

Filing using computer-printed (customized) forms

For those who fill out a large numbers of slips, we accept certain slips other than our own. To ensure accuracy, follow the guidelines for the production of customized forms at customized forms or see Information Circular IC97-2R19, Customized Forms.

You no longer need to get CRA approval for most customized information slips and summaries.

Due date

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

Distribution of slips to recipients

Send the recipients' copies of the T4RSP or T4RIF slip to their last known address or deliver them in person. You can also send a copy of one of these slips in electronic format to the recipient if you received their consent either in writing or in electronic format.

You have to do this on or before the day you have to file the information return.

Note

When you report to the CRA the FMV at the end of the year of an RRSP or RRIF you do not need to provide copies of the slips to the recipients.

Chapter 2 – Penalties and interest

Late filing and failure to file an information return

The minimum penalty for late filing the T4RSP or T4RIF information return is $100 and the maximum penalty is $7,500. 

Failure to provide information on a return

Anyone who prepares an information return has to make a reasonable effort to get the necessary information, including the social insurance number (SIN), from the individuals that will receive the slips. If you do not do this, you may be liable to a $100 penalty for each failure to comply with this requirement.

If you have to prepare an information return, or if you are an officer, employee, or agent of someone who does, you cannot knowingly use or communicate an individual's SIN, or allow it to be communicated, other than as required or authorized by law or for the purpose for which it was provided for.

If you use an individual's SIN 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.

Mandatory electronic filing

Failure to file information return by internet

Starting January 1, 2024, if you file more than 5 information returns (slips) for a calendar year and you do not file the returns by Internet File Transfer or Web Forms, the penalty is as follows:

Penalty by the number of information returns
Number of information returns (slips) by type Penalty
6 to 50 $125
51 to 250 $250
251 to 500 $500
501 to 2,500 $1,500
2,501 or more $2,500

For information returns (slips) filed before 2024, the penalty only begins to apply if you file more than 50 information returns (slips) for a calendar year and you do not file the returns by Internet File Transfer or Web Forms.

For the latest information about the penalty for not filing information returns over the Internet, go to How to file information returns. You may also subscribe to the CRA's email distribution list about the electronic filing of information returns at Canada Revenue Agency electronic mailing lists.

Interest

If you fail to pay an amount, we may apply interest from the day your payment was due. The interest rate we use is determined every three months, based on prescribed interest rates. Interest is compounded daily. We also apply interest to unpaid penalties. For the prescribed interest rates, go to Prescribed interest rates.

Cancel or waive penalties and interest

The CRA administers legislation, commonly called taxpayer relief provisions, that allows the CRA 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 2023 must relate to a penalty for a tax year or fiscal period ending in 2013 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 2023 must relate to interest that accrued in 2013 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 also 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 how to submit documents online, go to Submit documents online.

For more details on the required supporting documents, relief from penalties and interest, and other related forms, go to Taxpayer relief provisions.

Notice of assessment

We will issue a notice of assessment for the T4RSP or T4RIF information return only if we apply a penalty.

Maturity of an RRSP

An RRSP must mature by the end of the year in which the annuitant turns 71 years of age.

Chapter 3 – How to fill out the T4RSP and T4RIF slips

T4RSP slip

If you are filing your information return electronically, do not send us the paper copy of the slips. For more information about filing methods, see Electronic filing methods or go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

Report amounts in Canadian dollars and cents, even if they were paid in another currency. To get the average exchange rates, go to Exchange Rates. For more information, see Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency.

For each T4RSP slip you prepare, provide the following information.

Recipient's name and address

Enter the last name, in capital letters, followed by the first name and initials, and then the complete address. Enter the name of only one recipient on each T4RSP slip.

Box 12 – Social insurance number

Enter the recipient's social insurance number (SIN).

You have to make a reasonable effort to get the recipient's SIN. However, when the recipient indicates that they do not have a SIN and either has to apply for one or has already applied for one, do not delay filling out the information return beyond the required filing date. If the recipient has not provided their SIN by the time you have to file the information slip, enter nine zeros.

For more information, see Failure to provide information on a return.

Box 14 – Contract number

Enter the contract number of the RRSP.

Box 60 – Name of payer (issuer) of plan

Enter the full name of the RRSP payer (issuer) who remits the withholding tax to us and whose account number is shown in box 61.

Box 61 – Account number

Enter the account number of the RRSP payer (issuer). The 15-character account number that you use to send us your clients' deductions (which appears at the top of your PD7A statement of account) consists of three parts:

When we require the whole 15-character number, we now refer to the account number instead of the business number. Do not provide your account number (box 61) on the copies you give to the recipient.

Year

Enter the year on each T4RSP slip. Make sure the year you enter is the same as the year on the summary.

Fill out boxes 16 to 40 as they apply. The amount you enter in each of boxes 16 to 34 is the gross amount of the payment before you deducted tax or made any other deductions.

Note 

The costs associated with redeeming units of a mutual fund are RRSP expenses. If the proceeds of the RRSP are reduced by such withdrawal fees, the amount to be reported on the T4RSP slip is the net amount paid out of the RRSP.

Box 16 – Annuity payments

Enter the amount of annuity payments you made in the year on or after maturity of the plan, or after the plan became an amended plan if this occurred before May 26, 1976. For the meaning of the term amended plan, see Box 26 – Amounts deemed received on deregistration. Also see Maturity of an RRSP.

Box 18 – Refund of premiums

This is an amount you paid from an unmatured RRSP to the spouse or common-law partner of the RRSP annuitant because the annuitant died. This amount does not include income that can be considered a refund of premiums if paid to other qualifying survivors because of the annuitant's death. Report this income in box 28.

For a death in 1993 and later years, the refund of premiums from a depositary and trusteed RRSP can include income earned in the RRSP after the annuitant's date of death, up to December 31 of the year after the year of death.

Before you enter an amount in box 18, see Deceased annuitant – Unmatured RRSPs for more information on situations that arise when an annuitant under an unmatured RRSP dies.

The amount from a deceased annuitant’s RRSP that was rolled over to a registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is entered in box 28 of a T4RSP slip rather than in box 18. For more information, see Information Sheet RC4177, Death of an RRSP Annuitant.

Box 20 – Refund of unused contributions

Enter the gross amount of unused contributions made in 1991, or a later year, that you refunded to the annuitant. Do not withhold any tax if an annuitant asks for a refund of the unused contributions they made after 1990 and we have approved Part 3 of a completed Form T3012A, Tax Deduction Waiver on the Refund of your Unused RRSP, PRPP, or SPP Contributions from your RRSP, PRPP or SPP.

Note 

If the annuitant asks for a refund of unused contributions and does not give you a completed Form T3012A that was approved in Part 3 by us, you have to withhold tax on the withdrawal. Enter the amount withdrawn in box 22.

Box 22 – Withdrawal and commutation payments

Enter the following amounts:

A commutation payment is a fixed or lump-sum payment from an RRSP annuity that equals the current value of all or part of the future annuity payments.

Note 

Enter the amount of withdrawal or commutation net of fees such as redemption charges. Withhold tax on that net amount.

Do not report the following amounts in box 22:

Box 25 – LLP withdrawal

Enter the amount withdrawn from an RRSP by an eligible individual participating in the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP).

To make an eligible withdrawal, an individual has to use Form RC96, Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP. The individual can withdraw up to $10,000 a year, but cannot withdraw more than $20,000 in total over a four-year period. Any amount withdrawn that is more than the annual limit must be reported in box 22. For more information on the LLP, see Guide RC4112, Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP).

Boxes 24 and 36

A spousal or common-law partner RRSP is any RRSP to which the annuitant's spouse or common-law partner contributed. It includes:

For a spousal or common-law partner RRSP, tick yes in box 24. Enter the contributor spouse or common-law partner's SIN in box 36 if the two following criteria apply:

When you transfer property from or between spousal or common-law partner RRSPs and spousal or common-law partner RRIFs, you have to keep track of the property no matter how often it is transferred.

For all other situations – tick no in box 24, and leave box 36 blank, unless there is a direct transfer on breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership, in which case you would indicate the SIN of the annuitant of the transferee plan in box 36.

This includes the following situations:

Note 

If you ticked yes in box 24, for a situation other than a direct transfer on breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership, the annuitant should fill out Form T2205, Amounts from a Spousal or Common-law Partner RRSP, RRIF or SPP to Include in Income. This will help determine the amount that the annuitant and the contributor have to include in income.

Box 26 – Amounts deemed received on deregistration

The terms of an RRSP can change after registration, or a new plan can be substituted for an old plan. If an RRSP changes and no longer satisfies the rules it was registered under, the plan is no longer an RRSP. It becomes an amended plan under subsection 146(12), and the FMV of all property held by the plan just before the revision or substitution becomes taxable.

In this situation, enter in box 26 the FMV of all the property of the plan just before it was revised or substituted. This is the only type of income you report in box 26.

Box 27 – HBP withdrawal

Enter the amount withdrawn from an RRSP by an eligible individual participating in the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP).

To make an eligible withdrawal, an individual has to use Form T1036, Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP. The individual can withdraw up to $35,000. Any amount withdrawn that is more than the withdrawal limit must be reported in box 22.

For more information on the HBP, see What is the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)?

Box 28 – Other income or deductions

Although an annuitant has to include certain amounts in income, they can deduct other amounts. Calculate the income and deductions indicated in this section and enter the difference in box 28. If the deductions are greater than the income, enter the difference in brackets.

Include the following amounts in the income of an annuitant of a trusteed RRSP:

The annuitant of a trusteed RRSP can deduct the following two amounts in calculating income:

Note 

The deduction applies if the non-qualified investment being disposed of was acquired before March 23, 2011.

If the annuitant of a matured RRSP dies, you have to include in box 28 the part of an amount paid from the RRSP to a beneficiary, other than the deceased annuitant's spouse or common-law partner that is more than the total of the following amounts:

If the annuitant of an unmatured RRSP dies, you may have to include in box 28 a part or the entire amount of income earned in the RRSP after the annuitant's date of death that was paid to another beneficiary.

For information on situations that arise when an annuitant under an unmatured RRSP dies, go to Deceased annuitant – Unmatured RRSPs.

Box 30 – Income tax deducted

Enter the amount of income tax you deducted. Leave the box blank if you did not deduct income tax.

For more information on withholding rates, see "Chapter 2 – Deducting Income Tax" in Guide RC4157, Deducting Income Tax on Pension and Other Income, and Filing the T4A Slip and Summary.

You have to withhold tax from all payments (including withdrawals and commutation payments) made during the lifetime of the original annuitant, other than:

Note 

Total withdrawals under the LLP are limited to $10,000 in a given year. Total withdrawals under the HBP are limited to $35,000. You may want to check with the annuitant that the maximum has not been exceeded before paying out the amount. You will have to withhold tax on the amount that is more than the withdrawal limits.

In addition, if a payment is made in the year as a result of deregistration, you have to withhold tax from the FMV of property of the plan just before the RRSP became an amended plan under subsection 146(12). If the payment is made after the year of deregistration, do not withhold tax.

Box 34 – Amounts deemed received on death

Matured RRSPs – We consider the annuitant under a matured RRSP to have received, immediately before the time of death an amount equal to the FMV of all the property held by the RRSP at the time of death, minus the part of that amount that the surviving spouse or common-law partner can receive because of the annuitant's death.

Unmatured RRSPs – We consider the annuitant under an unmatured RRSP to have received, immediately before the time of death, an amount equal to the FMV of all the RRSP property held by the RRSP at the time of death.

Note 

In certain situations, you may not have to issue a T4RSP slip in the deceased annuitant's name. Before you enter an amount in box 34, see Deceased annuitant – Unmatured RRSPs.

Box 35 – Transfers on breakdown of marriage or common-law partnership

Enter the amount directly transferred under a decree, order, or judgment of a court, or under a written agreement relating to a division of property between the individual's current or former spouse or common-law partner in settlement of rights arising from the breakdown of their relationship. Prepare the slip in the name of the individual whose funds are being transferred (the transferor).

Enter the social insurance number of the annuitant of the plan receiving the funds (the transferee plan) in box 36. Tick no in box 24, unless the transferring plan is a spousal or common-law partner plan.

Use Form T2220, Transfer from an RRSP, RRIF, PRPP or SPP to Another RRSP, RRIF, PRPP or SPP on Breakdown of Marriage or Common-law Partnership, to document the details of the transfer.

You must review and keep on file the court order or separation agreement if you are unable to get the signature of both individuals.

Keep Form T2220 for your records only. Do not send us a copy.

Box 37 – Advanced Life Deferred Annuity (ALDA) Purchase

This is an amount you transferred to purchase an Advanced Life Deferred Annuity (ALDA). It is not reported on the income tax and benefit return and no deduction can be claimed for the amount transferred.

Box 38 – Fair market value (FMV) amount of RRSP

This is the FMV amount of the RRSP at the end of the year that you have to report. When you report to the CRA the FMV of an RRSP, you do not need to provide copies of the slips to the recipients. This annual reporting requirement is in effect starting January 1, 2024 and subsequent taxation years. The FMV can only be filed by Internet file transfer (XML) or Web Forms.

Box 40 – Tax-paid amount

Report in box 40 the tax-paid amount that you paid to certain beneficiaries from a trusteed RRSP. The legal representative needs this amount to determine the amount to report on the deceased annuitant's final tax return.

Note 

The tax-paid amount also applies to depositary RRSPs, but do not report it in box 40, since it has to be reported on a T5 slip.

For more information on tax-paid amounts, see Tax-paid amount and after-tax amount.

T4RIF slip

When you are filing your information return electronically, do not send us the paper copy of the slips. For more information about filing methods, see Electronic filing methods or go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

Report amounts in Canadian dollars and cents, even if they were paid in another currency. To get the average exchange rates, go to Exchange Rates. For more information, see Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency.

For each T4RIF slip you prepare, provide the following information.

Recipient's name and address

Enter the last name, in capital letters, followed by the first name and initials, and then the complete address. Enter the name of only one recipient on each T4RIF slip.

Box 12 – Social insurance number

Enter the recipient's social insurance number (SIN).

You have to make a reasonable effort to get the recipient's SIN. However, when the recipient indicates that they do not have a SIN and either has to apply for one or has already applied for one, do not delay filling out the information return beyond the required filing date. If the recipient has not provided their SIN by the time you have to file an information slip, enter nine zeros.

For more information, see Failure to provide information on a return.

Box 14 – Contract number

Enter the contract number of the RRIF.

Box 60 – Name of payer (carrier) of fund

Enter the full name of the RRIF payer (carrier) who remits the withholding tax to us and whose account number is shown in box 61.

Box 61 – Account number

Enter the account number of the RRIF payer (carrier). The 15-character account number that you use to send us your clients' deductions (which appears at the top of your PD7A statement of account) consists of three parts:

When we require the whole 15-character number, we now refer to the account number instead of the business number. Do not provide your account number (box 61) on the copies you give to the recipient.

Year

Enter the year on each T4RIF slip. Make sure the year you enter is the same as the year on the summary.

Fill out boxes 16 to 36, as they apply. The amount you enter in each of boxes 16 to 24 is the gross amount of the payment, before you deducted tax or made any other deductions.

Note 

The costs associated with the redemption of units of a mutual fund are RRIF expenses. If the proceeds of the RRIF are reduced by such redemption fees, the amount to be reported on the T4RIF slip is the net amount paid out of the RRIF.

Box 16 – Taxable amounts

Enter the taxable amounts from the RRIF that you paid to an annuitant or to another beneficiary in the year.

These amounts include the following:

The taxable amounts shown in box 16 do not include:

For more information about tax situations that can arise when an annuitant dies, see Deceased RRIF annuitant.

Box 18 – Amounts deemed received by the annuitant – Deceased

The deceased annuitant of a RRIF is considered to have received, just before death, an amount equal to the fair market value (FMV) of the RRIF property at the time of death.

Note 

In certain situations, you may not have to issue a T4RIF slip in the deceased annuitant's name. Before you enter an amount in box 18, see Beneficiary of the RRIF property.

Box 20 – Amounts deemed received by the annuitant – Deregistration

The terms of a RRIF contract can change after registration, or a new fund can be substituted. If a RRIF changes and no longer satisfies the requirements under which it was registered, the fund is no longer a RRIF. It becomes an amended fund under subsection 146.3(11), and the fair market value (FMV) of all property held in the fund just before the revision or substitution is to be included as income of the annuitant.

In this situation, enter in box 20 the FMV of all property of the fund just before it was revised or substituted. This is the only type of income you should report in box 20.

Box 22 – Other income or deductions

Although an annuitant has to include certain amounts in income, they can deduct other amounts. Calculate the income and deductions identified below and enter the difference in box 22. If the deductions are greater than the income, enter the difference in brackets.

Include the following amounts in the income of an annuitant of a trusteed RRIF:

The annuitant of a trusteed RRIF can deduct the following two amounts in calculating income:

Note 

The deduction applies if the non-qualified investment being disposed of was acquired before March 23, 2011

If the annuitant under a RRIF dies, you may have to include in box 22 part or all of the income earned in the RRIF after the annuitant's date of death that was paid to another beneficiary. For more information on situations that arise when an annuitant under a RRIF dies, see Beneficiary of the RRIF property.

Enter the amount rolled over from a deceased annuitant's RRIF that was rolled over to a registered disability savings plan (RDSP). For more information, see Information Sheet RC4178, Death of a RRIF Annuitant, PRPP member, or ALDA Annuitant.

Box 24 – Excess amount

The terms of a RRIF contract can allow a payment that is over the minimum amount (for more information on the minimum amount, see Appendix D – Minimum amount from a RRIF). Report the excess amount in box 24. You must also report this excess amount in box 16 plus the minimum amount. If an annuitant chooses to have payments from the RRIF continue to the spouse or common-law partner after the annuitant's death, the surviving spouse or common-law partner becomes the successor annuitant.

For more information on how to report the minimum and excess amounts when the annuitant dies, see Spouse or common-law partner as successor annuitant.

Boxes 26 and 32

A spousal or common-law partner RRIF is a RRIF that received payments or transfers of property from a spousal or common-law partner RRSP. A spousal or common-law partner RRIF also includes a RRIF that received a payment or transfer of property from any of the annuitant's other spousal or common-law partner RRIFs. When you transfer property from or between spousal or common-law partner RRSPs and spousal or common-law partner RRIFs, you have to keep track of the property no matter how often it is transferred.

For a spousal or common-law partner RRIF, print or type yes “Y” in box 26. In addition, enter the contributor spouse or common-law partner's SIN in box 32 if the annuitant is less than 74 years old at the end of 2023 and at least one of the following conditions applies:

For all other situations, print or type no “N” in box 26 and leave box 32 blank, unless there is a direct transfer on breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership, in which case you would enter the SIN of the annuitant of the transferee plan in box 32.

This includes the following situations:

Note 

If you entered yes "Y" in box 26 for a situation other than a direct transfer on breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership, the annuitant should fill out Form T2205, Amounts from a Spousal or Common-law Partner RRSP, RRIF or SPP Include in Income. This will help determine the amount that the annuitant and the contributor have to include in income. However, if the annuitant receives only the minimum amount during the year, the payment is the annuitant's income and not the contributor's income.

Box 28 – Income tax deducted

Enter the amount of income tax you deducted. Leave the box blank if you did not deduct income tax.

For more information on withholding rates, see the section called "Chapter 2 – Deducting income tax" in Guide RC4157, Deducting Income Tax on Pension and Other Income, and Filing the T4A Slip and Summary.

You have to withhold tax from the excess amount (amount reported in box 24) if you paid the amount during the lifetime of the annuitant. Do not withhold income tax from the minimum amount.

Box 30 – Year, Month, Day

Enter the date of death as follows: YY MM DD.

Example 

If the date of death was June 19, 2023, you would enter:

Year = 23

Month = 06

Day = 19

Box 35 – Transfers on breakdown of marriage or common-law partnership

Enter the amount directly transferred under a decree, order, or judgment of a court, or under a written agreement relating to a division of property between the individual's current or former spouse or common-law partner in settlement of rights arising from the breakdown of their relationship. Prepare the slip in the name of the individual whose funds are being transferred (the transferor).

Enter the social insurance number of the annuitant of the plan receiving the funds (the transferee plan) in box 32. Enter no in box 26, unless the transferring plan is a spousal or common-law partner plan.

Use Form T2220, Transfer from an RRSP, RRIF, PRPP or SPP to Another RRSP, RRIF, PRPP or SPP on Breakdown of Marriage or Common-law Partnership, to document the details of the transfer.

You must review and keep on file the court order or separation agreement if you are unable to get the signature of both individuals.

Keep Form T2220 for your records only. Do not send us a copy.

Box 36 – Tax-paid amount

For deaths occurring in 1993 and later years, you have to report in box 36 the tax-paid amount that you paid to certain beneficiaries from trusteed RRIFs. The legal representative needs this amount to determine the amount to report on the deceased annuitant's final tax return.

Note 

The tax-paid amount also applies to depositary RRIFs, but do not report it in box 36, since it has to be reported on a T5 slip.

For more information on tax-paid amounts, see Tax-paid amount and after-tax amount.

Box 37 – Advanced Life Deferred Annuity (ALDA) Purchase

This is an amount you transferred to purchase an Advanced Life Deferred Annuity (ALDA). It is not reported on the income tax and benefit return and no deduction can be claimed for the amount transferred.

Box 38 – Fair market value (FMV) amount of RRIF

This is the FMV amount of the RRIF at the end of the year that you have to report. When you report to the CRA the FMV of a RRIF, you do not need to provide copies of the slips to the recipients. This annual reporting requirement is in effect starting January 1, 2024 and subsequent taxation years. The FMV can only be filed by Internet file transfer (XML) or Web Forms.

Chapter 4 – T4RSP and T4RIF Summary

If you are filing electronically, do not send us the paper copy of the summary. For more information about filing methods, see Electronic filing methods or go to Filing Information Returns Electronically.

If you are filing on paper, use the T4RSP or T4RIF Summary to report the totals of the amounts that you reported on the related T4RSP or T4RIF slips. Send the original T4RSP or T4RIF Summary and the related slips to:

Canada Revenue Agency
Jonquière Tax Centre
T4RSP and T4RIF Program
Post Office Box 1300, LCD Jonquière
Jonquière QC  G7S 0L5

To get a T4RSP or T4RIF Summary, go to Forms and publications or call 1-800-959-5525.

For information returns filed before January 1, 2024, if you file more than 50 information returns (slips) for a calendar year, you must file by internet.

For information returns filed after December 31, 2023, if you file more than 5 information returns (slips) for a calendar year, you must file by Internet.

As of January 1, 2024, payments or remittances to the Receiver General of Canada should be made as an electronic payment if the amount is more than $10,000. Payers may face a penalty, unless they cannot reasonably remit or pay the amount electronically. For more information, go to Payments to the CRA.

Report amounts in Canadian dollars and cents, even if they were paid in another currency. To get the average exchange rates, go to Exchange Rates. For more information, see Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency.

Filling out the T4RSP and T4RIF Summary

Fill out a separate summary for each payer account number. The totals you report on your T4RSP or T4RIF Summary have to agree with the totals you report on your T4RSP or T4RIF slips. Errors or omissions, can cause unnecessary processing delays.

For the year ending December 31, 20__ – Make sure that the year you enter is the same as the year on the slips.

Account number – Enter the account number from your PD7A remittance form. The 15-character account number that you use to send us your clients' deductions (which appears at the top of your PD7A statement of account for current source deductions) has three parts:

Name and address of payer (issuer or carrier) of plan or fund – Enter your full name and address, including your postal code, as shown on your PD7A remittance form.

Total number of T4RSP or T4RIF slips filed (line 88) – Enter the total number of T4RSP or T4RIF slips included with the summary.

Total amounts (lines 16 to 37) – The amounts to report on the summary are the totals of the amounts in the corresponding boxes on the slips.

Remittances (line 82) – Enter the amount of income tax you remitted during the year.

Difference – Subtract the amount of the remittances from the income tax deducted. If there is no difference, enter "0". We do not charge or refund a difference of $2 or less.

Overpayment (line 84) – If you overpaid taxes and you will not be filing any other return under this account number, enter the amount of the overpayment.

You may want an overpayment transferred or refunded. Include a written request that explains the reason for the overpayment and what you would like us to do.

Balance due (line 86) – Enter the amount of the balance due. An unpaid balance may result in a penalty. In addition, we will charge interest, compounded daily at the prescribed rate, on the outstanding amount.

As of January 1, 2024, payments or remittances to the Receiver General of Canada should be made as an electronic payment if the amount is more than $10,000. Payers may face a penalty, unless they cannot reasonably remit or pay the amount electronically. For more information, go to Payments to the CRA.

Person to contact about this information return (lines 76 and 78) – Enter the name and telephone number of a person familiar with the records and operations of the financial institution. We may contact that person if we need more information.

Certification – An authorized officer of the financial institution has to fill out and sign this area.

Chapter 5 – After you file

When we receive your information return, we check it to see if you have prepared it correctly. After an initial review, we enter your return into our processing system, which captures the information and performs various validity and balancing checks. If there are any problems, we may contact you.

Amending, cancelling, adding, or replacing slips

After filing your T4RSP or T4RIF information return, you may notice an error on a T4RSP or T4RIF slip. If so, you will have to prepare an amended slip to correct the information. Provide copies to the recipient. Do not include slips that have no changes.

Amending or cancelling slips over the Internet

To amend a slip over the Internet, change only the information that is incorrect and retain all of the remaining information that was originally submitted. Use summary report type code "A" and slip report type code "A."

To cancel a slip, do not change any information that was contained on the original slip. Use summary report type code “A” and slip report type code “C.”

For more information on amending or cancelling slips online, go to Filing information returns electronically.

Amending or cancelling slips on paper

If you choose to file your amended return on paper, clearly identify the slips as amended or cancelled by writing "AMENDED" or "CANCELLED" at the top of each slip. Make sure you fill in all the necessary boxes, including the information that was correct on the original slip. Send two copies of the slips to the recipient. Send one copy of the amended/cancelled slips to Employer Services Section in a National Verification and Collection Centres (NVCC) listed in Appendix F with a letter explaining the reason for the amendment or cancellation.

Do not file an amended or cancelled T4RSP or T4RIF Summary.

Note 

If you notice errors on the T4RSP or T4RIF slips before you file them with us, you can correct them by preparing new information slips and removing any incorrect copies from the return. If you do not prepare a new slip, initial any changes you make on the slip. Be sure to also correct the T4RSP or T4RIF Summary.

Adding slips

After you file your T4RSP or T4RIF information return, you may discover that you need to send us additional T4RSP or T4RIF slips. If you have original slips that were not filed with your information return, file them separately either electronically or on paper.

Note

If you file additional T4RSP and T4RIF slips electronically for deceased individuals, and have already filed an information return, please use summary report type code “A” and slip report type code “A".

To file additional slips electronically, see Electronic filing methods.

If you file additional slips on paper, clearly identify the new slips by writing “ADDITIONAL” at the top of each slip. Send one copy of the additional slips to your National Verification and Collection Centres (NVCC) as listed in Appendix F.

File an additional T4RSP or T4RIF Summary.

Note

If the total number of T4RSP or T4RIF slips (including any additional slips) you file is more than 50 (or more than 5 after 2023) for the same calendar year, you have to file the additional slips online.

Any additional T4RSP or T4RIF slips that are filed after the due date may result in a penalty.

Replacing slips

If you issue T4RSP or T4RIF slips to replace copies that are lost or destroyed, do not send us a copy of these slips. Clearly identify them as "DUPLICATE" copies, and keep a copy for your records.

Chapter 6 – Death of an annuitant under an RRSP or a RRIF

In this chapter, we explain how to report amounts that you paid or that are considered to have been paid from an RRSP or a RRIF because the annuitant died.

The method of reporting RRSP or RRIF amounts depends on the plan's or fund's type. There are three types of RRSPs and RRIFs.

A depositary RRSP or RRIF is generally issued by a person who is, or is eligible to become, a member of the Canadian Payments Association. A depositary RRSP or RRIF can also be a credit union that is a shareholder or member of a body corporate referred to as a central for purposes of the Canadian Payments Act, which can accept an individual's deposit in its branch or office in Canada.

A trusteed RRSP or RRIF is generally issued by a corporation licensed or otherwise authorized under the laws of Canada or a province or territory to carry on in Canada the business of offering to the public its services as a trustee. Since most trust companies are also members of the Canadian Payments Association, they may offer RRSPs that satisfy the meaning of a depositary RRSP or RRIF. The terms and conditions of the legal document establishing the plan will determine whether it is a depositary or a trusteed RRSP or RRIF. The trust is a separate person for income tax purposes.

An insured RRSP or RRIF is generally issued by a person licensed or otherwise authorized under the laws of Canada or a province or territory to carry on an annuities business in Canada.

Deceased annuitant – Unmatured RRSPs

As a general rule, when an RRSP did not mature before the annuitant's death, the deceased annuitant is considered to have received, just before death, an amount equal to the fair market value (FMV) of all property of the RRSP. This amount has to be included in the deceased annuitant's income. However, this amount may be reduced if it is paid to a qualifying survivor as a refund of premiums. It can also be reduced if it is paid to the deceased annuitant's estate and the deceased annuitant's legal representative and a qualifying survivor elect to treat some or all of it as being paid to the qualifying survivor.

In some circumstances, the amount received as a refund of premiums by a qualifying survivor can be transferred and the survivor can claim a deduction for the amount transferred.

Who is the beneficiary of the RRSP?

As an RRSP issuer, you have to determine who the beneficiary of the RRSP is before you pay out any amounts. The beneficiary may be designated in the RRSP contract or in the deceased annuitant's will. It is possible that no beneficiary is designated.

Designation in RRSP contract or will – If the beneficiary is designated in the RRSP contract or the will and you are satisfied that the designation is valid under applicable succession law, the amounts are to be paid to that person.

No designation – If there is no designation of a beneficiary or the designation is not valid, you make the payout to the estate. The legal representative of the estate (executor or liquidator) is responsible for determining how the amount will be distributed in accordance with the terms of the will. The legal representative will also determine if the amount can be treated as a refund of premiums.

Qualifying survivor and refund of premiums

Generally, a refund of premiums is some or all of an amount paid out of an RRSP to a qualifying survivor as a result of the annuitant's death. A refund of premiums includes an amount paid as an RRSP benefit, but it does not include a tax-paid amount.

If amounts are paid to the estate and the qualifying survivor is a beneficiary of the estate, the qualifying survivor and the legal representative of the estate can jointly elect to treat part or all of the amounts paid to the estate as received by the qualifying survivor as a refund of premiums.

RRSP benefit and exempt period

Amounts included in an RRSP payout after the date of death that represent income realized from the date of death up to December 31 of the year after the year of death will always be an RRSP benefit to the recipient of the payment, regardless of when the amount is paid. This is the case whether the plan is a depositary, trusteed, or insured RRSP. If it is paid or considered to have been paid to a qualifying survivor, it will always be a refund of premiums.

Exempt period – We refer to the period from the date of death to December 31 of the year after the year of death as the exempt period. For example, if an annuitant dies on January 8, 2022, the exempt period will end on December 31, 2023.

The income earned or realized in the exempt period that is an RRSP benefit includes interest, dividends, and capital gains and losses.

Note 

Capital gains and losses include the non-taxable part of the capital gain and the non-deductible part of the capital losses realized or incurred after the end of the exempt period.

The amount earned after the exempt period includes the same elements mentioned in the paragraph before. It may be an RRSP benefit or an after-tax amount if the payout is delayed. The RRSP benefit will be a refund of premiums if it is paid out of an insured RRSP to a qualifying survivor. Otherwise, the amount will be a tax-paid amount and may also be an after-tax amount, as discussed in the following section.

Tax-paid amount and after-tax amount

The tax-paid amount applies only to depositary and trusteed RRSPs. For the purposes of this guide, a tax-paid amount is generally the income earned in an RRSP after the end of the exempt period. It does not qualify as a refund of premiums.

Depositary RRSP

For a depositary RRSP, interest or income that accrued after the exempt period will always be a tax-paid amount. It is not an RRSP benefit or a refund of premiums.

Trusteed RRSP

For a trusteed RRSP, the income earned or realized after the exempt period that is paid to the beneficiary in the year that it is trust income is an amount for which the trust can claim a deduction. If the deduction is claimed, this amount is a tax-paid amount and an RRSP benefit, but not a refund of premiums.

Income earned or realized after the exempt period that is not paid to the beneficiary in the year that it is trust income is not an RRSP benefit. The trustee has to file a Form T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return for the trust and pay tax on that income. In such cases, do not report the after-tax amount as income. However, do report it as a tax-paid amount on the T4RSP slip in the year an amount is paid to the beneficiary. This after-tax amount is not an RRSP benefit or a refund of premiums.

For more information, see Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide.

Insured RRSP

The tax-paid amount does not apply to an insured RRSP. Therefore, any payment to a qualifying survivor from an insured RRSP is considered a refund of premiums, regardless of when it is earned or paid.

How to issue slips

In this section, we explain how to issue slips in various situations.

Situation 1: The spouse or common-law partner is designated as the sole beneficiary of the RRSP, and the following conditions apply:

In this case, issue a T4RSP slip in the name of the spouse or common-law partner for the year you complete the transfer. Enter the amount of the payout as a refund of premiums in box 18. This amount can include income earned in the RRSP after the date of death to the date of the transfer, since the amount is paid before the end of the exempt period. Do not issue any slip in the name of the deceased.

Note 

In Quebec, a beneficiary designation of RRSP proceeds in the RRSP contract or will is not valid except in limited circumstances. We will accept the short form reporting method described above in Situation 1 where all of the RRSP proceeds are payable to the spouse or common-law partner under the terms of the will and the other conditions are met.

However, if Situation 1 does not apply, report the FMV of the RRSP at the time of death in box 34 of a T4RSP slip issued in the name of the deceased annuitant for the year of death. Circumstances will sometimes arise where that FMV will be greater than the totals of all the payments made from the RRSP after the annuitant's death. If this occurs, you have to fill out Form RC249, Post-Death Decline in the Value of a RRIF, an Unmatured RRSP and Post-Death Increase or Decline in the Value of a PRPP.

You fill out Form RC249 for the year in which you make the final payment from the RRSP, and you must complete it no later than the last day of February following the calendar year in which you make that final payment. You must send one copy of the completed form to the deceased annuitant's legal representative and one copy to your tax centre.

For more information on post-death decline in the value of an unmatured RRSP, see Information Sheet RC4177, Death of an RRSP Annuitant.

To prepare T4RSP slips in other situations, depending on the type of RRSP, go to How to issue T4RSP slips and see Situation 2 or 3.

Deceased annuitant – Matured RRSPs

Spouse or common-law partner as successor annuitant of the matured RRSP

If the spouse or common-law partner of a deceased annuitant is the entitled to receive amounts under a matured RRSP, they become the annuitant of the RRSP. The RRSP continues and you make the annuity payments to the spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant.

Report the amount of the annuity payments that you made to the successor annuitant in box 16 (not box 34) of the T4RSP slip that you issue to the spouse or common-law partner.

Spouse or common-law partner as beneficiary of the estate

When there is no successor annuitant, the deceased annuitant's estate becomes entitled to receive the RRSP property. If the deceased’s will states that the spouse or common-law partner. is entitled to the amounts paid under the RRSP, or that the spouse the spouse or common-law partner is the sole beneficiary of the estate, the spouse or common-law partner can elect in writing, jointly with the legal representative , to be the successor annuitant under the plan.

If this election is made, we consider the spouse or common-law partner to have received the annuity payments, and they will have to include these payments in income for the year the legal representative received them. To make this election, the legal representative and the spouse or common-law partner need only to write a letter explaining their intention. A copy of the letter must be provided to the payer of the annuity and another copy attached to the spouse’s or common-law partner’s income tax and benefit return.

If you know that the election was filed with us, you should:

Other situations

In any other situation, including when you make payments to a child or grandchild beneficiary, you have to issue a T4RSP slip in the name of the deceased annuitant for the year of death. In box 34, enter the fair market value (FMV) of all the property held by the plan at the time of the annuitant's death.

Amounts you paid from the plan may be more than the amount receivable by the spouse or common-law partner and the amount reported in box 34 of the T4RSP slip you issued to the deceased annuitant. In this case, all or part of the excess amount is a benefit from the RRSP. Issue a T4RSP slip in the name of the beneficiary for the year of payment and enter the benefit in box 28. For more information on how to calculate the amount to report in box 28, see Box 28 – Other income or deductions.

Note 

The information in the section RRSP benefit and exempt period and Tax-paid amount and after-tax amount also applies to matured plans.

Deceased RRIF annuitant

Spouse or common-law partner as successor annuitant

An annuitant can choose to have the RRIF payments continue to their spouse or common-law partner after death. If the terms of the RRIF contract or the deceased annuitant's will name the spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant, the spouse or common-law partner becomes the annuitant of the RRIF.

If the deceased annuitant does not name the spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant in the RRIF contract or in a will, the surviving spouse or common-law partner can still become the successor annuitant. If the deceased's legal representative consents and the RRIF carrier agrees, the RRIF carrier can continue to make payments under the RRIF to the surviving spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant.

If you learn that the deceased annuitant's will names the surviving spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant, ask for a copy of the will or that part of the will that names the surviving spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant.

Income paid to the original annuitant – If you paid part of the minimum amount for the year to the original annuitant, enter that amount in box 16 of the T4RIF slip you issued to the deceased annuitant. If you also paid an excess amount to the original annuitant, enter that amount in boxes 16 and 24 of the same slip.

Income paid to the successor – If you paid part of the minimum amount for the year to the spouse or common-law partner as the successor annuitant, enter that amount in box 16 of the T4RIF slip that you issue to the successor annuitant. If you also paid an excess amount to the successor annuitant, enter that amount in boxes 16 and 24 of the same slip.

Example 

At the time of death, only $4,000 of the minimum payment required for the year was paid to the original annuitant. The successor annuitant (surviving spouse or common-law partner) received the rest of the minimum payment ($3,000) and an excess amount of $1,500.

T4RIF slip for original annuitant:

Box 16 = $4,000

Box 24 is blank

T4RIF slip for surviving spouse or common-law partner:

Box 16 = $4,500

Box 24 = $1,500

Box 28 = $ 150

Note 

If there is no successor annuitant and you did not pay all or part of the minimum amount (for more information on the minimum amount, see Appendix D – Minimum amount from a RRIF) before the death of the annuitant, you do not have to issue a T4RIF slip for the minimum amount. The minimum amount will be either:

  • included in the fair market value (FMV) amount to be reported by the deceased annuitant
  • where the spouse or common-law partner is named as beneficiary of the RRIF, included in the amount to be reported to the spouse or common-law partner

Beneficiary of the RRIF property

Instead of choosing to have the RRIF payments continue to their surviving spouse or common-law partner after death, the RRIF annuitant can designate another individual as the beneficiary of any part of the RRIF property.

Generally, the deceased annuitant is considered to have received, just before death, an amount equal to the FMV of all property of the RRIF at the time of death. This amount has to be included in the deceased annuitant's income. However, this amount may be reduced if it is paid to a qualifying survivor as a designated benefit. It can also be reduced if it is paid to the deceased annuitant's estate, and the deceased annuitant's legal representative and a qualifying survivor elect to treat some or all of it as being paid to the qualifying survivor. Only the spouse or common-law partner or a financially dependent child or grandchild can be a qualifying survivor.

Note 

In some circumstances, the amount received as a designated benefit by a qualifying survivor may be transferred and the survivor can claim a deduction for the amount transferred.

Who is the beneficiary of the RRIF

As a RRIF carrier, you have to determine who the beneficiary of the RRIF is before you pay out any amounts. The beneficiary may be designated in the RRIF contract or in the deceased annuitant's will. It is possible that no beneficiary is designated.

Designation in RRIF contract or will – If the beneficiary is designated in the RRIF contract or will and you are satisfied that the designation is valid under applicable succession law, the amounts are to be paid out to that person. 

No designation – If there is no designation of a beneficiary, or if the designation is not valid, you make the payout to the estate. The legal representative of the estate (executor or liquidator) is responsible for determining how the amount will be distributed in accordance with the terms of the will. The legal representative will also determine if the amount can be considered a designated benefit.

Note 

In Quebec, a beneficiary cannot be designated in a RRIF contract. The designation has to be made in the will for these types of contracts. If you are satisfied with the designation of the beneficiary as provided in the will and the conditions are met, you can issue the slip as if the designation was made in the RRIF contract.

Qualifying survivor and designated benefit

Generally, a designated benefit is some or all of an amount paid out of a RRIF to a qualifying survivor as a result of the annuitant's death. A designated benefit includes an amount paid as a RRIF benefit, but it does not include a tax-paid amount. A designated benefit is similar to a refund of premiums paid from an unmatured RRSP.

If amounts are paid to the estate and the qualifying survivor is a beneficiary of the estate, the qualifying survivor and the legal representative of the estate can jointly elect to treat part or all of the amounts paid to the estate as received by them as a designated benefit. To do so, the beneficiary and the legal representative of the estate must fill out Form T1090, Joint Designation on the Death of a RRIF Annuitant, PRPP Member, or ALDA Annuitant.

RRIF benefit and exempt period

Amounts included in a RRIF payout after the date of death that represent income realized from the date of death up to December 31 of the year after the year of death will always be a RRIF benefit to the recipient of the payment, regardless of when the amount is paid. This is the case whether the plan is a depositary, trusteed, or insured RRIF. If it is paid or considered to have been paid to a qualifying survivor, it will always be a designated benefit.

Exempt period – We refer to the period from the date of death to December 31 of the year after the year of death as the exempt period. For example, if an annuitant dies on January 8, 2022, the exempt period will end on December 31, 2023.

The income earned or realized in the exempt period that is a RRIF benefit includes:

Note 

Capital gains and losses include the non-taxable part of the capital gain and the non-deductible part of the capital losses realized or incurred after the end of the exempt period.

The amount earned after the exempt period includes the same elements mentioned in the paragraph above. It may be considered a RRIF benefit or an after-tax amount if the payout is delayed. The RRIF benefit will be a designated benefit if it is paid out of an insured RRIF. Otherwise, the amount will be a tax-paid amount and may also be an after-tax amount, as discussed in the following section.

Tax-paid amount and after-tax amount

The tax-paid amount applies only to depositary and trusteed RRIFs. For the purposes of this guide, a tax-paid amount is generally the income earned in a RRIF after the end of the exempt period. It does not qualify as a designated benefit.

Depositary RRIF

For a depositary RRIF, interest or income that accrued after the exempt period will always be a tax-paid amount. It is not a RRIF benefit or a designated benefit.

Trusteed RRIF

For a trusteed RRIF, the income earned or realized after the exempt period that is paid to the beneficiary in the year that it is trust income is an amount for which the trust can claim a deduction. If the deduction is claimed, this amount is a tax-paid amount and a RRIF benefit, but not a designated benefit.

Income earned or realized after the exempt period that is not paid to the beneficiary in the year that it is trust income is not a RRIF benefit. The trustee has to file a Form T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return for the trust and pay tax on that income. In such cases, do not report the after-tax amount as income. However, do report it as a tax-paid amount on the T4RIF slip in the year an amount is paid to the beneficiary. This after-tax amount is not a RRIF benefit or a designated benefit.

For more information, see Guide T4013, T3 Trust Guide.

Insured RRIF

The tax-paid amount does not apply to an insured RRIF. Therefore, any payment to a qualifying survivor from an insured RRIF is considered a designated benefit, regardless of when it is earned or paid.

How to issue slips

In this section, we explain how to issue slips in various situations.

Situation 1: The spouse or common-law partner is designated as the sole beneficiary of the RRIF and the following conditions apply:

In this case, issue a T4RIF slip in the name of the spouse or common-law partner for the year you complete the transfer. Enter the total amount of the designated benefit in box 16. Calculate the amount of the designated benefit that is eligible for transfer using Appendix C – Calculating the eligible amount of a designated benefit and enter it in box 24. This amount can include income earned in the RRIF after the date of death to the date of transfer, since the amount is paid before the end of the exempt period. Do not issue any slip in the name of the deceased.

Note 

In Quebec, a beneficiary designation of the RRIF proceeds in the RRIF contract or will is not valid except in limited circumstances. We will accept the short form reporting method described above in Situation 1 where all of the RRIF proceeds are payable to the spouse or common-law partner under the terms of the will and the other conditions are met.

However, if Situation 1 does not apply, report the FMV of the RRIF at the time of death in box 18 of a T4RIF slip issued in the name of the deceased annuitant for the year of death. Circumstances will sometimes arise where that FMV will be greater than the totals of all the payments made from the RRIF after the annuitant's death. If this occurs, you have to fill out Form RC249, Post-Death Decline in the Value of a RRIF, an Unmatured RRSP and Post-Death Increase or Decline in the Value of a PRPP.

You fill out Form RC249 for the year in which you make the final payment from the RRIF, and you must complete it no later than the last day of February following the calendar year in which you make that final payment. You must send one copy of the completed form to the deceased annuitant's legal representative and one copy to your tax centre.

For more information on post-death decline in the value of a RRIF, see Information Sheet RC4178, Death of an RRIF Annuitant, PRPP Member, or ALDA Annuitant.

To issue T4RIF slips in other situations according to the type of RRIF, see Situation 2 or 3 at How to issue T4RIF slips

Chapter 7 – Payments to non-residents of Canada

You have to file an NR4 information return to report amounts paid or credited, or that are considered to be paid or credited, by residents of Canada to non-residents from:

If you have a balance owing, you can make your payment in many different ways. You may be able to pay electronically through your financial institution's online or telephone banking services. My Payment is a payment option that allows individuals and businesses to make payments online, using the CRA's website, from an account at a participating Canadian financial institution. For more information, go to My Payment. Payments can also be made using CRA’s wire transfer option. For more information on how to make your payment, go to Make a payment to the Canada Revenue Agency. If you remit your payment late, any balance due may be subject to penalties and interest at the prescribed rate.

Make sure we receive your payment by the 15th day of the month following the month you withheld the tax.

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

For more information or to get a copy of the NR75 and NR76 forms, go to Order remittance vouchers and payment forms.

For more information on non-resident tax or to use the non-resident tax calculator, go to International and non-resident taxes.

Note 

Non-residents cannot make withdrawals under the Home Buyers' Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan.

If, as a resident of Canada, you pay or credit amounts to or for a non-resident of Canada, you must withhold or remit the correct amount of non-resident tax. If you do not pay the tax on time, you may have to pay a penalty of 10% of that tax. If you fail to withhold or remit the tax, either knowingly or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence, we may apply a penalty of 20%. We will charge interest, compounded daily at the prescribed rate, on the outstanding tax, penalties, and interest. Penalties and interest charges are payable to the Receiver General.

You do not have to withhold non-resident income tax for anyone whom we have confirmed as a resident of Canada. On request, we will give you, the resident payer, written authorization not to withhold non-resident tax from the payments where applicable, such as when you are not sure if the payee is a resident of Canada.

For more information, see Income Tax Folio, S5-F1-C1, Determining an Individual's Residence Status.

Note 

If you are transferring funds to or from a registered plan for a non-resident annuitant, see "Payments that you transfer for non-residents of Canada" at Transfer of funds.

Appendix A – Samples of T4RSP slip and summary

T4RSP Slip
T4RSP Summary

Appendix B – Samples of T4RIF slip and summary

T4RIF Slip
T4RIF Summary

Appendix C – Calculating the eligible amount of a designated benefit

To calculate the eligible amount of a designated benefit, you will need the following information:

Step 1 – Calculating the qualifying part of all designated benefits

1. Note the minimum amount for the year under the RRIF.

2. Note the total of amounts that the deceased annuitant received during the year from the RRIF and included as income under subsection 146.3(5).

3. Note the total of amounts that the beneficiaries included in income as designated benefits for the year from the RRIF under subsection 146.3(5).

4. Note the amount in Step 1.

5. Note the amount in Step 1 or Step 2, whichever is less.

6. Calculate the following: the amount in Step 4 minus the amount in Step 5.

7. Calculate the following: 1 minus (the amount in Step 6 divided by the amount in Step 3). The calculated amount is the qualifying part of all designated benefits.

Step 2 – Calculating the eligible amount

8. Note the part of the designated benefit of the RRIF included in the individual's income for the year under subsection 146.3(5).

9. Note the calculated amount in Step 7.

10. Calculate the following: the amount in Step 8 multiplied by the amount in Step 9. This amount represents the eligible amount of the designated benefit. Report it in box 24 of the surviving spouse or common-law partner's T4RIF slip.

Example

The annuitant under a RRIF dies on August 18, 2023. The surviving spouse is designated as beneficiary of all the RRIF property in the RRIF contract. The FMV of the RRIF property on August 18, 2023, is $100,000. The minimum amount required to be paid from the RRIF in 2023 is $8,000 (hypothetical minimum amount). However, only half ($4,000) was paid to the annuitant before death. On November 21, 2023, $104,000 was paid to the surviving spouse as a designated benefit from the RRIF. The surviving spouse would like to know how much of the $104,000 can be transferred under paragraph 60(l) to a RRIF and calculates it as follows:

Step 1 – Calculating the qualifying part of all designated benefits

1: Note the minimum amount for the year under the RRIF ($8,000).

2: Note the total of amounts that the deceased annuitant received during the year from the RRIF and included as income under subsection 146.3(5) ($4,000).

3: Note the total of amounts that beneficiaries included in income as designated benefits for the year from the RRIF under subsection 146.3(5) ($104,000).

4: Note the amount in Step 1 ($8,000).

5: Note the amount in Step 1 or Step 2, whichever is less ($4,000).

6: Calculate the following: the amount in Step 4 minus the amount in Step 5 ($8,000 − $4,000 = $4,000)

7: Calculate the following: 1 minus (the amount in Step 6 ($4,000) divided by the amount in Step 3 ($104,000)), (1 − 0.03846153 = 0.96153846). This calculated amount is the qualifying part of all designated benefits.

Step 2– Calculating the eligible amount

8: Note the part of the designated benefit of the RRIF included in the individual's income for the year under subsection 146.3(5) ($104,000).

9: Note the calculated amount in Step 7 (0.96153846).

10: Calculate the following: the amount in Step 8 multiplied by the amount in Step 9. ($104,000 × 0.96153846 = $100,000). This amount represents the eligible amount of the designated benefit. Report it in box 24 of the surviving spouse or common-law partner's T4RIF slip.

The eligible amount that can be transferred to a RRIF is $100,000.

Appendix D – Minimum amount from a RRIF

As the carrier of a RRIF, you have to pay a minimum amount to the annuitant every year after the year in which the RRIF is set up. You calculate this amount by multiplying the fair market value (FMV) of the property held in the RRIF at the start of the year by a prescribed factor.

Note 

The costs associated with the redemption of units of a mutual fund are expenses of the RRIF. Therefore, such redemption fees are not part of the minimum amount.

The prescribed factor you use depends on the age of the RRIF annuitant, or the spouse or common-law partner's age if at the time the RRIF was being set up the annuitant elected to use the spouse or common-law partner's age because they were younger. It also depends on when the RRIF was set up. The prescribed factor is determined by regulations or calculated by dividing 1 by the result of 90 minus the age (in whole years) of the annuitant or the spouse or common-law partner at the beginning of the year.

To find out the prescribed factor you should use, see Chart – Prescribed factors.

Notes

Note 1

You can continue to use the “Pre March 1986” factor for a RRIF that was set up before 1986, unless it was revised or amended at any time or holds an annuity contract after July 1997 for all years that start after the earliest of the following days:

  • the day is after July 1997
  • the day on which the trust holds such a contract

Note 2

A qualifying RRIF is one that has never received any property as consideration, other than property transferred from another qualifying RRIF, and was set up during one of the following periods:

  • before 1986 and has since been revised or amended
  • after 1986 and before 1993
  • after 1992 with funds or property transferred directly from another qualifying RRIF

Note 3

  • In all other cases, use “All other RRIFs” factor

RRIF that holds annuity contracts

A trusteed RRIF is permitted to hold the following two types of annuity contracts as qualified investments.

Locked-in annuity contracts

In this guide, an annuity contract is one that a licensed annuities provider issues (this is a person licensed or otherwise authorized under the laws of Canada or a province or territory to carry on an annuities business in Canada) and that meets all the following conditions:

Other annuity contracts

These are contracts issued by a licensed annuities provider that meet both the following conditions:

Calculating the minimum amount

To calculate the minimum amount for trusteed RRIFs that hold locked-in annuity contracts, see the chart entitled "Calculating the minimum amount" at Minimum amount from a RRIF or see Example – Calculating the minimum amount.

The existing rules for calculating the minimum amount as described at the start of this appendix will continue to apply to a trusteed RRIF as long as it does not acquire a locked-in annuity contract. The calculation for a trusteed RRIF that holds a locked-in annuity contract applies to any year that starts after 1997 and after the trust first holds a locked-in annuity contract.

Note 

If a trusteed RRIF does not hold a locked-in annuity contract at the start of the year, the minimum amount is determined by multiplying the FMV of all the property held by the RRIF at the start of the year by the appropriate prescribed factor.

Example

In 2019, Alex owned an RRSP that contained a locked in annuity as well as other property. In December 2019, before his RRSP matured, he set up a trusteed RRIF and transferred all the property from his RRSP. The FMV of the other property at the start of January 2023 is $75,000 and the locked in annuity pays $5,000 annually. Alex had no spouse or common law partner when the RRIF was being set up and is 73 years old at the start of 2023.

The carrier calculates the minimum amount for 2023 as follows:

  1. FMV of all the property held by the RRIF at the beginning of the year (excluding any locked in annuity contracts) equals $75,000
  2. Enter the applicable prescribed factor of .0553
  3. Line 1 multiplied by line 2 equals $4,4147.50
  4. Periodic payments to be paid from all locked in annuity contracts held at the start of the year equals $5,000.00
  5. Minimum amount for the year. Line 3 plus line 4 equals $9,147.50

Appendix E – Information for transfers of funds

The following information provides the methods to use for the most common direct transfers. For information about other transfers not covered in this section, see Interpretation Bulletin IT-528, Transfers of Funds Between Registered Plans.

For more information on pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) transfers, see Guide RC4157, Deductions Income Tax on Pension and Other Income, and Filing the T4A Slip and Summary.

To transfer property from a RRIF, it is no longer mandatory that you use Form T2033, Direct Transfer under subsection 146.3(14.1), 147.5(21) or 146(21), or paragraph 146(16)(a) or 146.3(2)(e). This form is available in electronic format only on our website.

You can choose one of the following methods of transferring funds between registered plans:

Make sure you provide all the relevant information about the transfer, the funds are properly transferred to the new plan; and the client's needs are respected.

For more information on payments that you have to transfer directly, see "Payments that you have to transfer directly" at Transfer of funds.

For more information on transferring payments received from a transferor plan directly to a transferee plan because of a marriage or common-law partnership breakdown, see "Transfer of payments received from a transferor plan directly to a transferee plan because of a marriage or common-law partnership breakdown" at Transfer of funds.

For more information on payments that you transfer for non-residents of Canada, see "Payments that you transfer for non-residents of Canada" at Transfer of funds.

Appendix F – Addresses of the National Verification and Collection Centres (NVCC)

Filers served by a tax services office of the following list should deal with the corresponding NVCC.

Tax services offices and corresponding National Verification and Collection centres NVCC

Tax services offices

Bathurst, Kingston, Moncton, Halifax, Peterborough, Saint John, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. Catharines, Belleville, Hamilton, Niagara Kitchener/Waterloo, Prince Edward Island, and Sydney, deals with the following NVCC:

Newfoundland and Labrador NVCC
290 Empire Avenue
St. John’s NL  A1B 3Z1

Tax services offices

Laval, Montréal, Ottawa, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec City, Sherbrooke, Outaouais, Brossard, Chicoutimi, Rimouski, Trois-Rivières, London, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Sudbury (Northeastern Ontario only), deals with the following NVCC:

Shawinigan NVCC
4695 Shawinigan-Sud Blvd
Shawinigan-Sud QC  G9P 5H9

Tax services offices

Surrey, Prince George, Regina, Penticton, Kelowna, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Saskatoon, Sudbury (Sudbury/Nickel Belt)Footnote t1e , Toronto Centre, Toronto East, Toronto West, Toronto North, and Barrie, deals with the following NVCC:

Surrey NVCC
9755 King George Boulevard
Surrey BC   V3T 5E1

Digital services

 Handle 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 E-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 about this service, go to Email notification 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 at My Business Account. 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.

Electronic payments

Make your payment using:

For more information, go to Payments to the CRA.

Related forms and publications

Forms

Guides

Information sheets

Interpretation bulletins and income tax folios

Information circulars

For more information

If you need help

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

Forms and publications

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

Electronic mailing lists

The CRA can send you an 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 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 an operator-assisted relay service, call the CRA's regular telephone numbers instead of the TTY number.

Formal disputes (objections and appeals)

You have the right to file a formal dispute if you disagree with an assessment, determination, or decision.

For more information about objections and related deadlines, go to Service feedback, objections, appeals, disputes, and relief measures.

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; see the 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.
  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 Complaints and disputes.

Report foreign income and other foreign amounts

Report, in Canadian dollars, your foreign income and other foreign currency amounts (such as expenses and foreign taxes paid). In general, the foreign currency amount should be converted using the Bank of Canada exchange rate in effect on the day it arises. The CRA also generally accepts a conversion from another source if it meets all of the following conditions:

Other sources that the CRA generally accepts include rates from Bloomberg L.P., Thomson Reuters Corporation and OANDA Corporation. In certain circumstances described in the Income Tax Folio S5-F4-C1, Income Tax Reporting Currency, an average rate may be used to convert foreign currency amounts. Also refer to Folio for information about converting foreign amounts generally. For more information about converting foreign income taxes paid, see Income Tax Folio S5-F2-C1, Foreign Tax Credit.

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