Personal Finance Insights

TFSA Cheat Sheet – 8 Things You Need to Know

One of the simplest ways to save some money on the side is by opening a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). To help you make sense of it, here are the most common questions we hear from our clients about TFSAs.

1. What is a TFSA?

The TFSA is exactly what its name implies: an account where you can hold the same investments as an RRSP, but there is no tax to pay on investment income and capital gains. Oh and withdrawals are tax-free too!

2. Why should I invest in a TFSA?

A TFSA is a good account for saving for short to medium-term purchases, like a car, a new television or a trip. They’re also a great way to save for retirement, giving you better tax optimization when you withdraw from your investment accounts.

In life, there will always be emergency expenses—and a TFSA is exactly the sort of rainy day fund you can count on to bail you out of a bad time.

3. When can I start saving with a TFSA?

If you’re a resident of Canada, you can open a TFSA as soon as you turn 18 years old. Annual contribution room accumulates every calendar year that you’re eligible for a TFSA.

4. How much can I contribute to my TFSA?

With the contribution clock starting from the year you turn 18, the maximum contribution you can make will depend on which years you were eligible to contribute. The table below outlines the contribution limit by year. So, if you were 18 or older in 2009 when the TFSA was first introduced, haven’t previously contributed, and remained eligible every year since then, your contribution room in 2023 would be $88,000. However, if you turned 18 in 2016, you would only be eligible to contribute up to $47,000 without penalty.

Year

Annual Limit

2023

$6,500

2022

$6,000

2021

$6,000

2020

$6,000

2019

$6,000

2018

$5,500

2017

$5,500

2016

$5,500

2015

$10,000

2014

$5,500

2013

$5,500

2012                                                        

$5,000

2011

$5,000

2010

$5,000

2009

$5,000

5. If I remove money from my TFSA, does my contribution room increase?

When you make withdrawals, the amounts are added back into your contribution room. But be careful! The contribution room isn’t added back until January 1 of the following year.

6. What happens if I overcontribute?

If you go over your contribution limit in a year, the government can tax you 1% of the highest excess amount for every month the excess amount remains in your TFSA—so the easiest solution is to just take it out as soon as possible.

7. Can I keep my TFSA even if I’m not living in Canada?

You have to be a resident of Canada to contribute to a TFSA, but you’re more than welcome to keep it if you move away. But there’s a caveat: any contributions you make while you’re a non-resident will be subject to a monthly 1% tax. So, if you’re not living in the country for a while, it’s a good idea to leave your TFSA alone.

8. Where can I open a TFSA account?

Many financial institutions can open TFSAs, including banks, investment companies, insurance companies, trust companies and credit unions. We offer them here at CI Direct Investing, too.

Do you still have questions about TFSAs? Would you like to open one or contribute to an account you already have? Contact us and we’ll find what works best for you.