RRSP Deduction Deadline Calculator
Track the countdown to the 2026 RRSP deadline and estimate your immediate tax savings.
Last updated: April 2026
The 'First 60 Days' Rule
In Canada, the RRSP contribution deadline for a given tax year is usually the 60th day of the following calendar year. For the 2025 tax year, the deadline is March 2, 2026.
Contributions made during this window can be applied to either your 2025 or 2026 tax returns, giving you valuable flexibility in tax planning.
How to use this calculator
- 1Expected Income — Enter your total taxable income for the previous calendar year (2025).
- 2Contribution Amount — Enter the total amount you plan to deposit into your RRSP before the March deadline.
- 3Check Impact — The calculator shows exactly how much tax you save by hitting the deadline.
Formula & example
Refund = Contribution × Marginal Tax Rate
If you contribute $10,000 on Feb 20, 2026, and your tax rate is 40%, you receive a $4,000 refund in April 2026. If you wait until March 5, you won't get that $4,000 until April 2027.
Benefits
Accelerated Refunds
Get your tax money back months earlier by contributing before the cutoff.
Tax Planning Flexibility
Choose which year to claim the deduction based on your income trajectory.
Avoid Missed Opportunities
Once the deadline passes, you cannot back-date contributions to the previous year.
Use cases
Bonus Season
Many companies pay bonuses in February. Use this to shelter that bonus from tax immediately.
Tax Bill Reduction
If you realize you owe money for 2025, a last-minute RRSP contribution can bring that bill down to zero.
Frequently asked questions
Is the deadline always March 1st?+
Usually, but if March 1st falls on a weekend, the deadline is pushed to the next business day.
Can I use the 'First 60 Days' for 2026 instead?+
Yes. You just report the contribution on your 2025 return as 'undeducted' and claim it when you file for 2026.