Which is the best tax-free savings account?
The bottom line. Both TFSAs and savings accounts have a place in someone's overall portfolio. Savings accounts are perfect for holding liquid funds such as emergency funds, while TFSA holders can take advantage of tax-free compounding interest to build medium to long-term wealth.
Savings Account | Interest Rate | Monthly Fee |
---|---|---|
CIBC TFSA Tax Advantage Savings Account® | up to 5.00%* | $0 |
EQ Bank TFSA Savings Account** | 3.00% | $0 |
FirstOntario Credit Union TFSA Investment Savings (Ontario only) | 1.80% | $0 |
HSBC Tax-Free Savings Account | 1.85% | TBD |
- Oaken Tax-free savings account. Open a TFSA with Oaken Financial. ...
- EQ Bank TFSA savings account. Open a TFSA with EQ bank. ...
- Motive TFSA. Apply for a Motive Financial TFSA. ...
- BMO TFSA Accounts. ...
- Wealthsimple Tax-Free savings account. ...
- Questrade Tax-Free savings account.
The bottom line. Both TFSAs and savings accounts have a place in someone's overall portfolio. Savings accounts are perfect for holding liquid funds such as emergency funds, while TFSA holders can take advantage of tax-free compounding interest to build medium to long-term wealth.
If you're looking to save for retirement, the best long-term TFSA investments would be stocks and equity ETFs. These investments have the potential to generate higher returns over time, in exchange for higher risk. For stocks, you might want to consider dividend paying blue-chip stocks.
No tax deductions: The biggest drawback of a TFSA, is that your contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not tax deductible, unlike the FHSA and RRSP. Contribution limits: Though there is no lifetime maximum contribution limit, there is an annual contribution limit, stipulated by the Government of Canada.
Year | Annual Limit | Cumulative Limit |
---|---|---|
2021 | $6,000 | $75,500 |
2020 | $6,000 | $69,500 |
2019 | $6,000 | $63,500 |
2018 | $5,500 | $57,500 |
You won't get a tax deduction for making a contribution like you would with an RRSP, but you also won't pay taxes when you withdraw from a TFSA. Plus, you can withdraw any time without penalty.
What is a tax-free savings account? A tax-free savings account, or TFSA, is a registered plan that allows Canadian adults with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) to save a certain amount of money each year without paying taxes on the earnings. The average TFSA holds $34,917, according to the 2022 BMO savings study.
2009 to 2012 | $ 5,000 |
---|---|
2015 | $10,000 |
2016 to 2018 | $ 5,500 |
2019 to 2022 | $ 6,000 |
2023 | $ 6,500 |
What happens if you lose money in TFSA?
That means there are no tax savings if you sell an investment for a capital loss in a TFSA. Mind you, there is no tax payable for a capital gain—selling for a profit—either. To answer the question directly, you do not get additional TFSA room if you have a capital loss.
Yes, you can lose money on a TFSA, but it is easy to avoid losing your money. Typically, people who lose their money on a Tax-Free Savings Account are people who are using it for more volatile investments or people who are over-contributing.
Over-contributing, by accident
You could be penalized with a tax of 1% per month on the excess amount until it is withdrawn. For instance, a $10,000 over-contribution over 12 months could be subject to a $1,200 tax penalty.
A key strategy is to contribute early, so your investments have more time to grow. Make sure you're consistently contributing to your TFSA by enabling automated deposits into your account. This will keep your TFSA growing in a tax-free environment. Remember to ensure that you stay within your contribution room.
The TFSA will grow to $101,075 after 25 years at an average annual rate of return of 6.00%.
- From your Accounts page, select your TFSA.
- Go to Account Details and select TFSA Withdrawal.
- Choose the account you want to transfer funds to.
- Enter the amount of your withdrawal.
- Select Continue to confirm the details.
To avoid these hefty fees, you should instead take advantage of the re-contribution rule: Withdraw the funds from your current TFSA near the end of the calendar year, and in the following year, open a new account at the financial institution of your choosing and recontribute your withdrawal to it.
If cash makes up the majority of the money you have in your TFSA, you aren't doing it right. But don't worry! You're not alone in making this mistake. Despite its name, a TFSA is not meant to function as a traditional savings account.
RBC TFSA: Best for RBC customers who prefer easy access to their tax-free savings. An RBC TFSA won't offer the highest interest rates in Canada, but the Big Bank can offer a variety of TFSA investment options.
How much money can you put in a TFSA every year?
2009 to 2012 | $ 5,000 |
---|---|
2015 | $10,000 |
2016 to 2018 | $ 5,500 |
2019 to 2022 | $ 6,000 |
2023 | $ 6,500 |
Yes, you can have multiple TFSAs. However, your annual contribution limit applies to your total funds, unless you have unused contribution room.
Your TFSA lifetime contribution limit is $75,500. Your ongoing contribution amount. There is new contribution room every year. For 2024, you can contribute up to $7000 plus any unused contribution room from previous years.
And because TFSAs can remain open for a lifetime, you'll continue to accumulate contribution room every year as long as you're a Canadian resident.
Do I have to pay income tax on my TFSA withdrawals in Canada? No, you don't have to pay income tax on the amounts you withdraw. As TFSA withdrawals don't count as taxable income, provided the income is from eligible products and investments.
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