TFSAs: Leveraging the Benefits

TFSAs: Leveraging the Benefits

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was introduced in 2009 to offer Canadians an incentive to save over their lifetimes. TFSAs provide tax-free growth, flexible investment options, and easy set-up and withdrawals, making this registered account a powerful tool for financial well-being. Below are some key features. Below are some key features: Save for anything TFSAs […]

TFSA Notices And Penalty Risks

TFSA Notices And Penalty Risks

The latest Federal Budget included an administrative rule change1 that allows CRA to automatically send you notices electronically without your prior permission or registration. The risk, as noted in the recent case of a B.C. taxpayer, is this may lead to penalties for TFSA over contributions. It is your responsibility now to regularly check your […]

Taxes, RRSPs and You!

Taxes, RRSPs and You!

A recent media headline marveled at how far TFSAs have come and how they are catching up to RRSPs as a preferred investment vehicle for Canadians. Often however, this choice is made at the expense of contributions to an RRSP. With the RRSP contribution deadline fast approaching on March 2nd, it is time to take […]

Tick Tock: RRSP Season is Here!

Tick Tock: RRSP Season is Here!

I am continually amazed at the number of people, who have high incomes and savings, that fail to take full advantage of the preferential tax treatment of RRSPs versus other types of investment or savings accounts. This is especially true for business owners who often have retained earnings in their corporations while also having massive […]

Making the Most of Your TFSA

Making the Most of Your TFSA

Being such a new program, many Canadians do not fully understand the long-term power of the TFSA tax savings opportunities. It is much more than just an opportunity for saving — it can be a powerful and incredibly effective tool for an overall investment strategy. Here are some ways that you can use the TFSA […]

RRSP Vs. TFSA: Which is Better?

RRSP Vs. TFSA: Which is Better?

With the lifetime contribution room of a TFSA now at $52,000 for most people, TFSAs are now a serious portfolio and investment planning alternative to making RRSP contributions. So which is better you ask? Well, it depends… If you are a Canadian with significant assets and savings then maximizing your TFSA makes sense as a […]

Saving for a Financial Emergency

Saving for a Financial Emergency

It is next to impossible to know when you might be impacted by a financial emergency; therefore, it is important to be prepared for something unforeseen in the future. Most people have heard the saying about saving money for a “rainy day”. With the right forward planning, there is a great chance of being able […]

TFSA Designations Matter

The method that you use to name a successor, owner or beneficiary of a TFSA makes a big difference to your estate, not only for a TFSA to maintain its tax-exempt status but also to ensure that the assets are distributed to the intended recipients. You can name your spouse or common-law partner as a […]

Millennial Money Mistakes

Investors who start saving at a young age automatically have one of the most powerful assets on their side: Time. To get ahead financially, young adults should beware of some of the most common pitfalls discussed below that can all too easily sabotage a financial success strategy. Not Taking Saving Seriously At the dawn of […]

TFSA Time Bomb!

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was introduced in 2009 as a new way for Canadians to build assets and wealth on a tax-advantaged basis. Any capital gains, dividends or interest income are tax-free upon redemption from the account. The initial contribution amount was $5,000 with annual increases of $5,000. This has been increased to $5,500 […]