RRSP and FHSA deadlines for your 2026 taxes

Start with the two contribution calendars

The contribution deadline for an FHSA and the deadline for an RRSP follow different calendars. An FHSA contribution made in early 2027 cannot be deducted for 2026. An eligible RRSP contribution made in the first 60 days of 2027 may be deductible on your 2026 return, subject to your deduction limit. The CRA explains these rules in its FHSA deduction guidance and RRSP contribution receipt guidance.

If you are preparing for the 2027 filing season, deal with this distinction before December ends. First confirm your available room and the transactions you have already made. Then discuss which deductions belong on the return.

The two dates to plan around

FHSA: Eligible contributions made January 1 to December 31, 2026; What to check: Participation room, transfers and any withdrawals.

RRSP: Eligible contributions made in 2026 or within the first 60 days of 2027, plus eligible unused contributions from earlier years; What to check: Deduction limit, amounts already deducted and receipt periods.

The RRSP rule gives a calculated cutoff of March 1, 2027, the 60th day of the year. This date is derived from the CRA's current rule; its year-specific personal-tax overview still showed the previous filing season when checked on October 13, 2026. Recheck the CRA dates page before relying on the calendar near filing time.

Your financial institution may have an earlier processing cutoff for a transfer or contribution. Allow time for the transaction to complete and keep the confirmation.

FHSA contributions use the calendar year

For a potential 2026 deduction, the FHSA contribution must be made by December 31, 2026. Contributions made in the first 60 days of the following year do not have the RRSP's prior-year deduction treatment. Eligible contributions can generally be deducted in the contribution year or carried forward for deduction in a later year. A direct RRSP-to-FHSA transfer does not create another deduction. These distinctions come from the CRA's FHSA deduction rules.

Keep contributions and transfers separately identified in your records. If you opened an account, transferred money or bought a home during 2026, give your preparer the dates and statements rather than only a year-end balance.

An RRSP contribution and its deduction are different decisions

Making a contribution does not mean its full amount must be deducted immediately. Available room, previously reported contributions and deductions already claimed need to be reconciled. An early-2026 contribution already deducted on your 2025 return cannot be deducted again for 2026. The CRA's RRSP contribution questions and answers explain the limits and the treatment of unused contributions.

For example, someone with variable business income may want to discuss deduction timing alongside their wider tax position. Someone who changed employers should also mention pension participation and any significant change in their earnings. Neither example establishes the right contribution amount for another person.

Bring the record of what you contributed even if you expect to defer a deduction. Your preparer needs the contribution history to keep the reporting accurate.

Gather these records before your appointment

Your latest notice of assessment or reassessment.

RRSP contribution receipts, including the early-2027 receipt period.

A list of unused contributions already reported on prior returns.

FHSA statements showing contributions, transfers and withdrawals.

Dates of any home purchase or qualifying withdrawal.

Notes about pension changes, unusually high or low income, or spousal RRSP activity.

The personal tax document checklist covers the rest of your return. Use the tax deadlines guide to keep the contribution, filing and payment dates separate.

Can a January 2027 FHSA contribution reduce my 2026 income?

It cannot be deducted for 2026 under the current FHSA contribution-year rule. Keep it in your 2027 records and check its eligibility for a 2027 or later deduction.

Should I contribute the maximum before the deadline?

Start with your confirmed room, cash needs and overall circumstances. A deadline tells you when a contribution must occur for a particular period; it does not establish the right amount for you.

Talk through your return with Versa

Versa's personal-tax service covers returns involving registered accounts alongside employment, business, rental and investment income. Bring your records and the questions you want resolved. The initial consultation is free, and the scope and fee are agreed before work begins.

Book a free tax consultation.