Understanding RESP Withdrawals
A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a great tool for funding your child’s education. However, if your RESP balance exceeds tuition and related costs, it’s crucial to withdraw funds efficiently to minimize taxes and avoid penalties.
Types of RESP Withdrawals
1. Educational Assistance Payments (EAPs)
EAPs consist of government grants and investment earnings. These withdrawals are taxable in the student’s name, which usually results in low or no taxes due to their lower income.
2. Post-Secondary Education (PSE) Withdrawals
PSE withdrawals allow you to withdraw your original contributions tax-free since they were made with after-tax dollars.
Strategies for Withdrawing Excess RESP Funds
1. Maximize EAP Withdrawals First
Since EAPs are taxable, withdrawing them first ensures that your child benefits from their low tax bracket.
2. Use RESP Funds for All Eligible Expenses
RESP funds can be used for tuition, books, rent, food, transportation, and other educational costs. Maximizing withdrawals for these expenses reduces excess funds.
3. Transfer Funds to an RRSP
If there is leftover income in the RESP and your RRSP has contribution room, you can transfer up to $50,000 to an RRSP to defer taxes.
4. Consider a Non-Educational Withdrawal
If funds remain unused and cannot be transferred, you can withdraw them as an Accumulated Income Payment (AIP). However, this incurs regular income tax plus a 20% penalty.
Final Thoughts
Efficiently withdrawing RESP funds requires planning. Prioritizing EAPs, using funds for eligible expenses, and considering RRSP transfers can help maximize benefits while minimizing tax burdens.