Ending CPP contributions on self employment income

[jdicker18]

I am filing my 2025 tax return using Turbo Tax. I turned 65 in June 2025 and only earned self employment income in 2025. I have never received any CPP benefits and don't plan on starting CPP until I am 70. But I want to stop contributing to CPP starting in June 2025. I filled out Schedule 8 Part 1 with my election to stop contributing in June, 2025 and Part 2 filled out automatically telling me that the number of months to use for my CCP contribution calculation is 5. and the rest of the Schedule 8 has filled out with my Part 4 with the income calculations. 

Now when I go to file, the Turbo Tax program says I have two errors:

"You made an election to stop contributing to CPP on your self-employment earnings for more months than you received CPP benefits in the tax year. Please correct." AND

"You entered an election date to stop...contributions to the CPP. To be eligible, you must be 65 to 70 years of age, have self-employment income, and receive CPP retirement benefits".

If you only have self employment income at 65 and older, to be eligible to stop contributions, do you or don't you have to be receiving CPP benefits in order to stop the CPP contributions?

[TurboTaxAniqua]

The CRA treats anyone working between the ages of 60 and 70 as a "working beneficiary" if they want to stop contributing. To qualify for the election to stop (using Schedule 8 for the self-employed or Form CPT30 for employees), you must meet these three conditions:

• You are at least 65 years of age but under 70.
• You are receiving a CPP or QPP retirement pension.
• You have pensionable earnings (self-employment or employment).

Since you stated you don't plan on starting CPP until 70, the CRA considers CPP contributions mandatory for you until that time. You cannot stop contributing simply because you reached age 65; the "stop" is an option provided specifically to those who are already drawing their pension.

• If you are self-employed only, use Schedule 8 only. Do not use form CPT30.

To fix this, follow these steps below:

Remove the Election Date: Go back to the CPP section (or Schedule 8 in Forms Mode) and delete the "June 2025" election date.

Adjust the Months: Ensure the "Number of months" for CPP calculations is set to 12 (or the software will automatically calculate it based on your full year of income).

Delete the Election Entry: If you checked a box saying you "elected to stop contributing," uncheck it.

Stopping CPP contributions

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions for CPP working beneficiaries

Hope this helps!

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