Please note that the following document, although believed to be correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the Department.
Prenez note que ce document, bien qu'exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la position actuelle du ministère.
Principal Issues: Request that Revenue Canada advise RRSP issuer to remove
“spousal plan” designation.
Position: Department cannot so advise
Reasons: Only the issuer (or issuer of tranferor RRSP) has the evidence that no contributions have been made by the annuitant’s spouse.
August 4, 1999
XXXXXXXXXX 992048
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Re: Removal of “Spousal” Designation from Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Please be advised that the issuer of a registered retirement savings plan(RRSP) is required under the Income Tax Act to treat as a “spousal plan” , any RRSP to which the spouse of the annuitant has made contributions. An RRSP which receives property transferred from a “spousal plan” must also be treated as a “spousal plan”.
Where no such contributions or transfers have been made the issuer is free to delete a “spousal” designation that has been made in error.
Therefore, if the issuer satisfies itself that the “spousal” designation was entered incorrectly and there have, in fact, been no contributions by the annuitant’s spouse or transfers from a “spousal Plan:, the designation should be removed. The issuer could, for example. Rely on its own records and, where relevant, obtain confirmation from the transferor RRSP issuer (or issuers, if more than one).
Revenue Canada cannot confirm whether contributions have been made to an RRSP by the annuitant’s spouse or transfers made to an RRSP from a “spousal plan” and, therefore, cannot instruct and issuer to delete the “spousal” designation from the records for any particular RRSP.
P. Spice
for Director
Financial Industries Division
Income tax Rulings &
Interpretations Directorate
