General information only — not financial advice for your situation.
This is a learning tool. Always check CRA My Account records and talk to a qualified professional for your own numbers.
RRSP vs TFSA comparison
Compares tax timing only using the rates you enter.
RRSP refund today$1,500
Tax on withdrawal later$1,000
Net benefit from RRSP tax timing: $500
Plain English
This calculator shows an estimate from the assumptions shown in the box above.
Show the math
The calculator uses the shared data files where tax constants are needed, and user-entered rates where the missing rule depends on your situation.
Worked examples
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
| $5,000 at 40% now, withdraw at 20% in retirement | RRSP wins — 20% positive tax arbitrage on exit |
| $5,000 at 20% now, withdraw at 40% later | TFSA wins — RRSP actively destroys wealth at higher exit rate |
| $5,000 at 30% now, withdraw at 30% later | Mathematically equal — deduction perfectly offsets final tax |
What this does not account for
Credits, deductions, residency gaps, and account history that are not entered here.
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About this site
Every number on this site is sourced from CRA publications, the Income Tax Act, or provincial fiscal releases. We show the math, cite the sources, and never tell you what to do with your money.