How to Use the TFSA Contribution Room Calculator
Step-by-step guide to each field in the TFSA room calculator. Learn what birth year, residency year, contributions, and withdrawals mean and how to avoid over-contribution.
Estimated time: 5–10 minutes
Photo by PiggyBank on Unsplash
Enter your birth year
Your birth year is used to determine when you turned 18. TFSA eligibility starts in the year you turn 18 (or 2009, or the year you became a Canadian resident—whichever is latest).
Enter year you became a Canadian resident
TFSA contribution room only accumulates for years you were a Canadian resident. If you became a resident after 2009, enter that year. Otherwise use 2009.
Enter total previous contributions
This is the sum of all contributions you have ever made to your TFSA in previous years (not including the current year). You can find this on your CRA My Account or by adding up your records.
Enter total previous withdrawals
Withdrawals from your TFSA in previous years are added back to your contribution room the following calendar year. Enter the total amount you have withdrawn in all past years.
Enter current year contributions
Enter how much you have already contributed in the current year (e.g. 2026). This is subtracted from your available room to show your remaining room.
Read your results
The calculator shows your available contribution room, current year limit, lifetime cumulative room, and a breakdown. If you are over-contributed, it will warn you—withdraw the excess as soon as possible to minimize penalties. Use the year-by-year table to see how much room you had each year.
Verify with CRA
Always confirm your official contribution room in CRA My Account before making large contributions. Limits can change and the CRA has the final record.