Does anybody have information as to whether the U.K. tax authorities will allow me to deduct the cost basis of my RRSP when I file income tax returns in the U.K. following my departure from Canada?

I searched the HMRC site, but could not find any direct reference.

Are you cashing in your RRSP's to take the money with you or keeping them here and transferring later?

If you got tax relief on your contributions your cost basis is zero.

I will be withdrawing the money on a yearly basis to minimize Canadian tax.

"If you got tax relief on your contributions your cost basis is zero."

Is that a U.K. tax regulation? The reason I ask is that some countries allow cost basis deductions against RRSP withdrawals in calculating tax.

Thanks for the information.

You may be able to transfer the RRSP to a Private Pension PLan in the UK? I know that I did the reverse for my husbands UK frozen pension... that way if its still in a "tax sheltered" environment...see where I am going with this?

It is a pension fund. You are taxed on 100% of the withdrawals whether you take them now or as an annuity later in life. The cost of the assets within the pension fund is not relevant.

If you withdraw funds from your RRSP while you are still in Canada the amount you withdraw is added to your taxable income and you pay tax at your marginal rate.

If you withdraw funds after you leave Canada you will pay tax at 25% to the Canadian government. If your marginal rate in the UK is higher you pay the difference to the UK government.