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TFSA contribution room calculator

Most people have no idea how much TFSA room they're sitting on — and over-contributing costs 1% a month. Enter your birth year and past contributions to get your real number.

Room starts accumulating the year you turn 18 (or 2009, whichever is later).

Withdrawals are added back to your room — but only on January 1 of the following year.

Contribution room available in 2026
$59,000
Lifetime room earned
$89,000
Already contributed
$30,000
2026 annual limit
$7,000

You've been eligible since 2013, earning $89,000 of lifetime room. Every dollar of growth inside a TFSA is completely tax-free — and withdrawals never count as income.

TFSA contribution limit by year
YearAnnual limitCumulative
2009$5,000$5,000
2010$5,000$10,000
2011$5,000$15,000
2012$5,000$20,000
2013$5,500$25,500
2014$5,500$31,000
2015$10,000$41,000
2016$5,500$46,500
2017$5,500$52,000
2018$5,500$57,500
2019$6,000$63,500
2020$6,000$69,500
2021$6,000$75,500
2022$6,000$81,500
2023$6,500$88,000
2024$7,000$95,000
2025$7,000$102,000
2026$7,000$109,000
The short answer

TFSA room = every annual limit since you turned 18 (or 2009) − contributions + prior-year withdrawals. Anyone eligible since 2009 has $109,000 of lifetime room in 2026, and this year's limit is $7,000.

The withdrawal trap

This catches thousands of Canadians every year. If you withdraw $10,000 from your TFSA in March and put it back in November of the same year, that re-contribution counts as brand-new and can push you over your limit — triggering a 1%-per-month penalty. Withdrawn amounts only return to your room on January 1 of the following year.

Frequently asked questions

How much TFSA room do I have?

Your room is the sum of every annual limit since you turned 18 (or since 2009, whichever is later), minus everything you've contributed, plus anything you withdrew in previous years. Someone who has been eligible since 2009 has $109,000 of total lifetime room as of 2026.

What is the TFSA limit for 2026?

The annual TFSA dollar limit for 2026 is $7,000. Unused room carries forward indefinitely, so if you've never contributed you may have far more room available than this year's limit.

Do TFSA withdrawals free up contribution room?

Yes, but not immediately. Any amount you withdraw is added back to your contribution room on January 1 of the following year. Re-contributing that amount in the same calendar year is the single most common cause of TFSA over-contribution penalties.

What happens if I over-contribute to my TFSA?

The CRA charges a penalty of 1% per month on the highest excess amount in your account for each month it remains. Withdraw the excess as soon as you notice, and confirm your official room in CRA My Account — your bank does not track it for you.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Information may be simplified, incomplete, or out of date. Consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. VaultNerd may receive compensation from partners featured on this site — this does not influence our editorial content.
Written by
The VaultNerd Team

Researching and writing about Canadian registered accounts since 2026.

Cite this page

TFSA Contribution Room Calculator — VaultNerd” — VaultNerd, https://www.vaultnerd.com/tools/tfsa-calculator, updated August 2026.

Sources
  • CRA — Tax-Free Savings Account annual dollar limits since 2009
  • CRA — TFSA excess contribution tax (1% per month)