Registered Disability Savings Plan

Expand What is the Disability Tax Credit?

The disability amount, also known as the Disability Tax Credit, is a non-refundable tax credit that a person with a qualifying impairment can claim to reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay in a year.

Expand What are Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSGs)?

As a way to encourage long-term savings through an RDSP, the Government of Canada created the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG). Depending on the beneficiary’s family net income and the amount contributed, the Government of Canada will pay matching grants of 100, 200 or 300 per cent. An RDSP can receive a maximum of $3,500 in matching grants in one year, and up to $70,000 over the beneficiary’s lifetime. A grant can be paid into an RDSP on contributions made to the beneficiary’s RDSP by December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 49 years of age.

Expand What are Canada Disability Savings Bonds (CDSBs)?

To assist low-income Canadians with disabilities, the government will pay up to $1,000 a year based on the beneficiary’s family income. CDSBs are not dependent on individual contributions. The lifetime bond limit is $20,000. A bond can be paid into an RDSP until the year in which the beneficiary turns 49 years of age.

Expand How is a family’s net income determined?

If the beneficiary is a minor, the family net income will be based on the combined net income of the parents or legal guardians. If the beneficiary has attained the age of 18, then the family net income will be based on the income level of the beneficiary (and their spouse or common-law partner).

Expand When are repayments of CDSGs and CDSBs required?

Eligibility and Contributions

Expand Who is eligible to be a beneficiary?

Any individual who is a Canadian resident, with a valid Social Insurance Number and is under 60 years of age when contributions are made can become an RDSP beneficiary. The individual must also be eligible to receive the Disability Tax Credit. The beneficiary may only have one RDSP account.

Expand Who can be a plan holder?

Expand Can an RDSP be opened by joint plan holders?

Yes. Both legal parents of the beneficiary can be holders under an RDSP. It is also possible for the parents and the beneficiary to be joint holders under the plan.

Expand Are there limits to the contributions I can make?

There is no annual limit on amounts that can be contributed to an RDSP of a particular beneficiary. However, the overall lifetime limit for a particular beneficiary is $200,000. Contributions are permitted until the end of the year in which the beneficiary turns 59 years of age.

Expand Are contributions tax-deductible?

Contributions to an RDSP are not tax-deductible. Contributions that are withdrawn are not to be included as income for the beneficiary when paid out of an RDSP. However, the Canada Disability Savings Grant, Canada Disability Savings Bond and investment income earned in the plan will be included in the beneficiary’s income for tax purposes when paid out of the RDSP.

Expand Who can make contributions to an RDSP?

Anyone can contribute to an RDSP with the written permission of the plan holder.
How to set up and establish a plan

Expand Who can set up an RDSP?

A legal parent, guardian, tutor, curator or an individual who is legally authorized to act on behalf of the beneficiary is eligible to set up an RDSP. A public department, agency or organization that is legally authorized to act on behalf of the beneficiary may also be named as an account holder. Additionally, a beneficiary who has reached the age of majority and is legally competent can open an RDSP and become a holder of the plan.

Expand How do you establish an RDSP?

To establish a TD Direct Investing RDSP³, a person who is qualified to be a holder of the plan must contact us.

Payment and taxation

Expand What types of withdrawals can be made from an RDSP?

There are several types of payments that can be made to the beneficiary of an RDSP. Lifetime Disability Assistance Payments (LDAP) are payments that, once they are started, must be paid at least annually until either the plan is terminated or the beneficiary has died.
The second type of payment is a Disability Assistance Payment (DAP). This form of payment can be paid to the beneficiary any time after the RDSP is established. It is important to talk with your advisor about this option, as it may entail repayment of government bonds and grants.

Expand How are withdrawals from an RDSP reported?

The Canada Disability Savings Grant, Canada Disability Savings Bond and investment income earned in the plan are included in the beneficiary’s income for tax purposes when paid out of the RDSP. RDSP issuers report the taxable portion of the payments from the plan in box 28 of a T4A slip and send a copy of the slip to the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s legal representative. The beneficiary includes this amount as income in their tax return for the year in which they receive it.

Expand How are withdrawals treated?

Amounts paid include a blend of taxable and non-taxable amounts. The CDSG, CDSB and income components are fully taxable to the beneficiary, while contributions are not taxed. These payments will not affect your eligibility for federal government benefits, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit or the Goods and Services Tax Credit, nor will Old Age Security or Employment Insurance benefits be affected. Most provinces are participating in this program. However, provincial and territorial rules may differ. Please consult your provincial/territorial government for more information on the potential impact of RDSP assets and payments.

Cessation of disability

Expand What happens if the beneficiary no longer has a severe or prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions?

The RDSP must be closed no later than the end of the calendar year following the first full calendar year that the beneficiary is no longer considered mentally or physically impaired. Any funds remaining in the RDSP after any required repayment of bonds and grants will be paid to the beneficiary.