Are there any exceptions to the attribution rules for withdrawals from a Spousal RRIF?

Yes, there are a few special circumstances where the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) permits withdrawals from an RRIF that originates from a Spousal RRSP without the withdrawals taxed in the hands of the contributing spouse. A few of these exceptions include the following:

• At the time of the withdrawal you and your spouse or common-law partner were separated and living apart due to a breakdown of your relationship.
• At the time of the withdrawal you or your spouse or your common-law partner were living outside of Canada and considered non-residents of Canada.
• The contributor spouse has died in the year that the withdrawal was received.
• The withdrawal was made in the same year as the annuitant’s death.
• The withdrawal is equal to or less than the required Minimum Annual Withdrawal Amount for the year.

Related Questions

• When do I have to make my first annual minimum withdrawal?
• Even through there is no requirement to withdraw funds in the year that I convert to an RRIF, can I still withdraw funds from my RRIF in the first year?
• I know there is a minimum withdrawal, but is there a limit to the amount I can withdraw from my RRIF?
• How much withholding tax will my RRIF administrator deduct from my withdrawal?
• Can I base the calculation of my annual minimum payment upon my spouse’s or common-law partner’s younger age?
• I have an RRIF and did not realize I could use my younger spouse’s age. Can I change my RRIF to use my spouse’s age?
• If my RRIF uses my younger spouse’s age to calculate my annual minimum payments and my spouse dies, does my RRIF now switch to my age?
• I have converted my Spousal RRSP to an RRIF and my spouse had contributed to my Spousal RRSP in the three years preceding the conversion to an RRIF. Does my spouse need to include my minimum withdrawal in their income?
• How is my withdrawal taxed if the RRIF assets came from a Spousal RRSP and I am withdrawing more than the required annual minimum?
• How is my RRIF withdrawal recorded in my income tax return?
• After I have made a withdrawal from my RRIF can I re-contribute the amount withdrawn in the future?
• My RRIF account does not have a large enough cash balance for my minimum annual payment, can I make an in kind withdrawal from my RRIF?
• Does my RRIF withdrawal qualify for the Pension Income Tax Credit in the amount of $2,000.00?
• Does my RRIF withdrawal qualify as pension income that can be split with my spouse or common-law partner?