What is the tax implication for Mario when Jasmine withdraws $3,500 from her spousal RRSP?

When Jasmine withdraws $3,500 from her spousal Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), the tax implications tie directly to the rules governing spousal RRSPs in Canada. In this case, when a withdrawal occurs from a spousal RRSP, the amount withdrawn is attributable to the contributor—in this case, Mario.

Since Mario made contributions to the spousal RRSP, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires that any withdrawal made from the spousal RRSP is treated as income for the contributor in the year of the withdrawal. Therefore, Mario must declare the $3,500 as taxable income on his tax return. This rule exists to prevent any tax avoidance strategies that might be exploited through the spousal RRSP mechanism, ensuring that the tax consequences of contributions are not evaded when funds are taken out.

This understanding highlights the pertinent tax implications for Mario, clarifying why the answer regarding his obligation to declare the full amount as taxable income is indeed correct.