TFSA Contribution Room Calculator
Calculate your total Tax-Free Savings Account contribution room based on your age, residency status, and contribution history. Track available room across three modes: lifetime total, with contributions, or year-by-year tracking.
tl;dr
Your TFSA room is the sum of every annual limit since you turned 18 (or since TFSAs began, if later), counting only the years you were a Canadian resident. Subtract what you've contributed and add back what you've withdrawn; withdrawals return to your room on January 1 of the following year. Unused room never expires, and going over the limit costs a penalty on the excess every month until it's removed.
What year were you born?
This determines when your TFSA contribution room started accumulating.
You might also be interested in...
Related calculators that complement your financial planning
TFSA vs RRSP Calculator
Tax-Efficient Investment Strategy
Free TFSA vs RRSP calculator. Compare after-tax returns with refund reinvestment for Canadian savers. Find which account maximizes your retirement savings.
CPP & OAS Timing Calculator
Optimize Your Benefit Timing
Calculate your optimal CPP and OAS start age. See lifetime benefits for every start age, breakeven analysis, and coordinated retirement strategies for Canadians.
Dying Without a Will Calculator
See Who Inherits Your Estate
Dying without a will in Canada? Calculate estate distribution by province. See who inherits your assets under intestacy laws based on family situation.
Why Tracking Your Room Matters
Unused TFSA room never expires, so most Canadians have more of it than they think. But over-contributing costs a 1% penalty on the excess every month, and the CRA's figure in My Account can lag behind your real contributions and withdrawals. Knowing your actual number lets you use every dollar of tax-free room without paying for a mistake.
How Your Room Is Calculated
Your room is built from the annual limit for every year you've been eligible.
- 1. Room starts in the year you turn 18, or in 2009 if that's later.
- 2. Add the annual limit (see the table below) for each year you were a Canadian resident — years abroad add nothing.
- 3. Subtract every contribution you've made.
- 4. Add back withdrawals — they return to your room on January 1 of the following year.
TFSA Annual Limits by Year
| Period | Annual Limit |
|---|---|
| 2009-2012 | $5,000 |
| 2013-2014 | $5,500 |
| 2015 | $10,000 |
| 2016-2018 | $5,500 |
| 2019-2022 | $6,000 |
| 2023 | $6,500 |
| 2024-2026 | $7,000 |
Future limits are indexed to inflation and announced annually by the CRA.
Common Questions
How is TFSA contribution room calculated?
TFSA contribution room accumulates each year you are 18 or older and a Canadian resident. The annual limit varies by year (from $5,000 in 2009 to $7,000 in 2024-2026). Your total room is the sum of all annual limits since 2009 or since you turned 18, whichever is later, minus any years you were not a Canadian resident.
What is the total TFSA contribution room in 2026?
If you were 18 or older in 2009 and have been a continuous Canadian resident, your total lifetime TFSA contribution room in 2026 is $109,000. This includes: $20,000 (2009-2012), $11,000 (2013-2014), $10,000 (2015), $16,500 (2016-2018), $24,000 (2019-2022), $6,500 (2023), and $21,000 (2024-2026).
Do TFSA withdrawals affect my contribution room?
Yes, but in a favorable way. When you withdraw from your TFSA, that amount gets added back to your contribution room on January 1st of the following year. This means you can re-contribute withdrawn amounts, but you must wait until the new calendar year to avoid over-contribution.
What happens if I over-contribute to my TFSA?
The CRA charges a penalty of 1% per month on the highest excess amount in your TFSA for that month. This penalty continues until you withdraw the excess or until your contribution room increases enough to cover the excess. It's important to track your room carefully and remove any over-contributions promptly.
Does my TFSA room accumulate if I'm not a Canadian resident?
No, you do not accumulate TFSA contribution room for years when you are not a Canadian resident. However, you keep any room you previously accumulated, and your room starts accumulating again when you become a resident. Note that if you contribute while a non-resident, you may face additional penalties.
Can I find my exact TFSA contribution room from the CRA?
Yes, you can find your official TFSA contribution room by logging into CRA My Account online, using the MyCRA mobile app, or calling the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) at 1-800-267-6999. The CRA tracks your room based on your tax returns and information from financial institutions.
Using Your Room Well
- ✓Check your number against CRA My Account, but keep your own records — the CRA's can lag.
- ✓Wait until January 1 to re-contribute anything you withdraw this year.
- ✓If you've over-contributed, withdraw the excess right away to stop the monthly penalty.
- ✓Fill your TFSA before investing in a taxable account.
- ✓Decide where new savings should go with the TFSA vs RRSP calculator.