Guides

Plain-language explainers on how the Canada Revenue Agency's registered-account rules actually work, when to use each account type, and how to fit a household contribution plan together with provincial marginal tax brackets. See our methodology page for full source attribution and refresh cadence; tools and calculators for live contribution-room math.

• RRSP vs TFSA — which should you fund first?

  A side-by-side comparison of when each account wins, based on your current and expected retirement marginal tax rates.

• How RRSP contribution room is actually calculated

  Walk through the CRA formula — 18% of earned income, the annual dollar ceiling, prior-year carry-forward, and the pension adjustment offset.

• TFSA cumulative room since 2009 — year by year

  Every TFSA annual limit from program launch in 2009 to the current $7,000 — with the cumulative total Canadians who were 18 in 2009 now have available.

• How to maximize the RESP Canada Education Savings Grant

  The $2,500-per-child-per-year contribution that triggers the 20% CESG match — and the catch-up rules if you started late.

• Provincial marginal-rate brackets in 2026 — all 13 jurisdictions

  A reference table of every province and territory bracket schedule with effective combined federal-plus-provincial marginal rates.

• Home Buyers’ Plan vs FHSA — which down-payment vehicle?

  The trade-off between borrowing from your RRSP via HBP and contributing to the new First Home Savings Account.

• Over-contribution penalties on RRSPs and TFSAs

  What happens when you exceed your room — the 1% per month penalty, the de-minimis buffer, and the cleanup playbook.