TaxTips.ca
Canadian Tax and
Financial Information
  TFSAs  

TaxTips.ca does not research or endorse any product   or service appearing in ads on this site.  Before making a major financial decision you  should consult a qualified professional.
Copyright © 2010

Web www.TaxTips.ca  

Looking for US tax information?  See www.USTaxTips.net Bookmark and Share

List your firm for  free in the TaxTips.ca Business Directory.

Need an accounting, tax or financial advisor?  Look in  the TaxTips.ca Business Directory.

Home
What's New
Calculators
Financial Planning
Real Estate
Stocks Bonds etc.
RRSP RRIF TFSA
Personal Tax
Seniors
Disabilities
Business
GST/HST
PST
Canada
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Ontario
Québec
Saskatchewan
Atlantic Provinces
Territories
Federal Budget
Provincial Budgets
Statistics etc.
Glossary
Site Map
Business Directory
Advertise With Us
Calculator Licensing
Contact Us/About Us
Links

  Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

Income Tax Act S. 146.2, 207.01 to 207.07

Tax-free savings accounts are available for Canadian residents who are 18 years of age or older.

In a tax-free savings account:

bullet

all investment income (interest, dividends, trust distributions and capital gains) will accumulate tax-free

bullet

contributions are not tax-deductible

bullet

withdrawals are not taxable

bullet

capital losses are not tax-deductible

bullet

dividends will not be eligible for the dividend tax credit

Borrowing

bullet

Interest on money borrowed to invest in a TFSA is not tax deductible.

bullet

A TFSA can be used as security for a loan.

bullet

According to bank representatives, a TFSA cannot be used to provide margin for linked margin brokerage accounts, although this is not disallowed by the Income Tax Act.

bullet

If you wish to use your TFSA to increase your margin, you can borrow against the TFSA and put the money into your margin account.  The interest on the debt would be tax deductible.

Proposed TFSA technical changes

On October 16, 2009 the Minister of Finance announced proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act to strengthen the rules applicable to Tax-Free Savings Accounts.  The proposed amendments would:
bullet

Make income from deliberate overcontributions and prohibited investments subject to existing anti-avoidance rules in the Income Tax Act

bullet

Make income attributable to non-qualified investments taxable at regular income tax rates.

bullet

Ensure that withdrawals of deliberate overcontributions, prohibited investments, non-qualified investments or amounts attributable to swap transactions, or of related investment income, from a TFSA do not create additional TFSA contribution room.

bullet

Prohibit asset transfer transactions (swap transactions) between TFSAs and other accounts.

Information on the proposed changes is included in the articles below.  It is proposed that the amendments will apply to transactions which occur after October 16, 2009.  The draft legislation and explanatory notes were released by the Department of Finance on April 30, 2010.

What is better - TFSA or RRSP?

TFSA contributions

Don't over contribute!

Unused contribution room

TFSA investments - qualified, non-qualified, and prohibited

TFSA Withdrawals, including proposed changes

Asset transfer (swap) transactions, including proposed changes

Taxes payable re TFSA, including proposed changes

Marital breakdown

Death of the TFSA holder

 

Other resources:
bullet

TFSA vs RRSP Calculator - to help you decide which type of account is better for you.

bullet

Borrow to invest

bullet

TFSA website - Government of Canada 

bullet

Canada Revenue Agency
bullet

Tax-free savings accounts

bullet

RC4466 - Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) - Information Sheet - lots of detailed information, and examples.

bullet

TFSA information for Registered Plans Administrators

bullet

Department of Finance
bullet

October 16, 2009 proposal re technical changes to TFSAs

bullet

Budget 2008 tax-free savings account information

bullet

Legislative proposals and explanatory notes re new Income Tax Act legislation on the TFSA:
bullet

March , 2008 - initial legislation included in Bill C-50, which became law on June 18, 2008

bullet

July 14, 2008 - revisions to the initial legislation

Tax Tip:  Everyone should have a tax-free savings account.

 

Revised: June 18, 2010

 

Copyright © 2010  See Reproduction of information on TaxTips.ca

The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.  Each person's situation differs, and a professional advisor can assist you in using the information on this web site to your best advantage.
See our Business Directory for tax, accounting and finance-related firms in your area.
Please see our legal disclaimer.