Tax payable on non-qualified investments on RRSPs and RRIFs
If, in a calendar year, an RRSP or RRIF trust acquires property that was a non-qualified investment or if previously acquired property becomes non-qualified, a tax is imposed on the annuitant of an RRSP or a RRIF.
The tax is equal to 50% of the fair market value (FMV) of the property at the time it was acquired or it became non-qualified.
The tax is refundable in certain circumstances. For more information, see Refund of taxes paid on non-qualified or prohibited investments.
The annuitant is also liable for the 100% advantage tax on specified non-qualified investment income if this income is not withdrawn promptly.
Note
Income earned and capital gains realized by an RRSP or RRIF trust on non-qualified investments will continue to be taxable to the trust, regardless of when the investment was acquired. If an investment is both a non-qualified investment and a prohibited investment, it is treated as a prohibited investment only and the trust is not subject to tax on the investment earnings.
An annuitant subject to this tax is required to file Form RC339, Individual Return for Certain Taxes for RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs or RDSPs . The return must be filed no later than June 30 of the following year. Any tax owing must also be paid by that date. For payment remittance options, see Payments to the CRA.
For more information see, Income Tax Folio S3-F10-C1, Qualified Investments – RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, RDSPs and TFSA.
Reporting requirements by the RRSP or RRIF trust
Financial institutions are required to report information to the CRA and the annuitant when an RRSP or RRIF trust begins or ceases to hold a non-qualified investment in a year.
Financial institutions must, by no later than the end of February in the year following the year in which the non-qualified property was acquired or previously acquired property became non-qualified, provide relevant information to the CRA and the annuitant. This information includes:
- a description of the non-qualified investment
- the date that the non-qualified investment was acquired or disposed of (or became or ceased to be non-qualified), as applicable, and the FMV of the investment at that date
- the RRSP or RRIF contract or account number
This information is necessary to enable the annuitant to determine the amount of any tax payable or of any possible refund of tax previously paid.
Forms and publications
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