Hi there newcomer to Canada so im sorry if Im a bit slow.

I understand that usually you wait till 2025 to get your official RSP number and then you have till end of Feb to contribute that.

However I am purchasing a home late October, and am thinking of contributing 90 days before that so that I can take it out with the Home Buyers Plan.

Am i wrong in understanding: I can contribute 15% of my annual salary now, as long as by the end of the year that contribution is not larger than 18% of what I actually earn (plus the 2k CRA allows)?
Since I am on a base salary with a generous bonus, I feel very safe putting 15% of my base in now, with the expectation that this nummer will not be lower by the end of the year.

So short question: Does it matter if I put my RRSP contribution for 2024 in May 2024, vs Feb 2025, as long as the amount is less than 18% of my 2024 salary?

Cheers!