Weekly Tax Tips
Consider the Lifelong Learning Plan
24 Sept 2009
The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) allows you to "borrow" up to $10,000 per year, to a maximum of $20,000 over a period of up to four calendar years, from your RRSP to help you finance full-time training or education for you, your spouse, or your common-law partner.
The amount withdrawn will not be taxed as a normal RRSP withdrawal. It will be treated like an interest-free loan, generally repayable to your RRSP in equal instalments over a 10-year period. Your first payment is due in the second consecutive year, after the year of withdrawal, in which the eligible student is not entitled to the full-time education credit for a period of at least three months, or in the fifth year following the first year of withdrawal, whichever is earlier. If you don't make the required payment in a year, the unpaid amount will be included in your income for that year. As is the case for RRSP contributions, a payment made in the first 60 days following a given year will qualify as a repayment for that year.
In order to qualify, the LLP student (you, your spouse, or your common-law partner) must be enrolled in full-time training or higher education for at least three consecutive months at a designated educational institution, before March of the year after the LLP withdrawal. If the LLP student is disabled, he or she can enroll on a part-time basis.
If you have recently made a contribution to your RRSP, there is another rule to keep in mind. RRSP contributions may not be deductible if they are made less than 90 days before an LLP withdrawal is made.
This tax tip is a publication of BDO Dunwoody LLP on developments in the area of taxation. This material is general in nature and should not be relied upon to replace the requirement for specific professional advice. The information in this tax tip is current as of 24 Sept 2009.
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