Maxxed out TFSA - what to do about taxes + new money coming in?

Hey friends,

I just saw that about 6 months ago, the CRA gently advised me that in 2024 I over-contributed to my TFSA to the tune of $10,000. Whoops! I have kept contributing blindly since, I thought I had like..a lot of room to spare.

I lost my job early in 2025, and have not found a new one since - I do have some self-employment income but little. I made EI + $6000 in 2025 and will probably not pay taxes for 2026 since my income looks like it will be under $10k.

My questions are:

• 1. Am I fine tax-wise? I am in the lowest bracket, so should I worry about paying 1% of very little on that extra TFSA money?
• 2. I have just received a very generous sum from a relative. Where should it go? I don't want it in a RRSP since I would like to have it on hand for more immediate expenses..

Thanks!

edit: thanks for your help everyone! This is a sucky situation, but at least I can pay the money back, and it went to the government, so maybe that money helped with building a road or a bridge somewhere