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.
Plain English
The total amount of space you have to put money into a registered account like a TFSA or RRSP. Unused room carries forward, so it builds up over the years.
Technical definition
Contribution room is the cumulative space available to contribute to a registered account. For TFSAs, it accumulates from the annual dollar limit plus restored withdrawals plus unused carry-forward. For RRSPs, it is 18% of prior-year earned income (up to the dollar limit) plus unused room minus pension adjustments. Both are tracked by CRA on the Notice of Assessment.
Examples
- • You've been eligible for a TFSA since 2009 and never contributed. In 2026, your total TFSA contribution room is $109,000.
- • Your RRSP deduction limit is $20,000 but you only contributed $12,000. The remaining $8,000 carries forward to next year.
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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.