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Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

serge_lamarre — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 02:10:07 GMT

Hi,

We are US residents since 2006 and citizens since 2016. We have RRSPs in Canada, and since 2005, we never contributed and we never received any contributions. We are about 10 years away to receive contributions when we will retire. Yes, Form 8938 and FBAR requirement will be done/completed but I am wondering if I have to also fill the form 8833. Looks like this form is required only if you make contributions or get distributions from a RRSP or some sort of pension plan from Canada but I could be wrong.

Can someone provide insights on this, and if indeed we need to fill out the form 8833, how should we fill it? What fields are required and what should we write in it?

Thank you.

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

serge_lamarre — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 12:57:24 GMT

Hi,

Any tax expert has an answer for this?

Thank you.

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

MarilynG1 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:22:05 GMT

Yes, you would need Form 8833 if you want to exclude foreign income due to treaty agreements.

Since you're not yet receiving any foreign pension income, you won't need this form for 2024.

When you start receiving your Canadian Pension Income, you can report it under Income > Retirement Plans and Social Security > Canadian Registered Pension Income. You can get a credit for tax paid to Canada on this income in the Foreign Tax Credit section under Deductions & Credits.

@serge_lamarre

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

Bisso Steve — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:27:01 GMT

With what information should the F8833 completed with if I received a lump sum amount for a Canadian pension plan? can someone else with details so I don't make any mistakes.

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

Bisso Steve — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:29:36 GMT

can someone help?

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

DaveF1006 — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:52:17 GMT

No. ‌You wouldn't file a 8833 to exclude your RRSP. This is taxable in both Canada and the US under the US/Canada tax treaty. To report.

Go to income
Retirement Plans and Social Security
Canadian Registered pension

To claim a Foreign Tax Credit if you paid taxes to Canada.

Go to Federal
Deductions and credits
Estimate and other taxes paid
Foreign Tax Credit>start or revisit
As you go through the screens, when it asks "Tell Us About Your Foreign Taxes" select none of these apply.
When it asks if you wish to take the deduction and credit, take the credit.
Continue through until you reach a screen that says "No other income or expenses" Say no
Continue through until it asks the income type, say Passive Income
Next add a country. Pick Canada
Other Gross Income say RRSP Canadian income and the Gross Amount of the income
Continue through the interview until it asks for the foreign taxes you paid, here record the amount. Report this as other income.
Now you are done reporting the foreign taxes. Just keep going through the section without making any more entries. You will have finished reporting your gross income from the sale and the foreign taxes paid.

Re: Form 8833 vs Canadian RRSP with no contributions and no distribiutions

Bisso Steve — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:03:42 GMT

Thank you