The Canadian citizens in 2009 were granted a new method for retirement saving or achieving any other financial objective through the project’s main proponent Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, which is known as tax free savings accounts (TFSA). This article will explore the policies and guidelines of these accounts, how they will be taxed, as well as the kinds of investments that can be housed in them.
TFSA Basics
In simple terms, the tax-free savings accounts are flexible, registered, and all-inclusive savings accounts that permit all investments to grow free from tax. Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age and above with SIN or Social Insurance Number are qualified to set up this savings account.
People who already made the highest contribution to a RRSP or registered retirement savings plan are the best candidates for TFSA accounts, to include senior citizens who might lose credit benefits or federal income due to taxable investment income. All in all, Canadian citizens who desire to save money and allow such to grow without tax are encouraged to open these accounts and take advantage of this savings opportunity.
Allowed Investments
Similar to IRA tax rules, TSFA comes with strict guidelines on the kinds of investments to be contained in the account. In the US, the IRA saving integrates choosing among several different kinds of investment depending on the IRA type. With TSFA, the permitted investments include guaranteed investment certificate (GICs), publicly traded security, mutual funds, bonds, stocks, term deposits, and demand deposit accounts. Shares from closely held stock from small enterprises may also be allowed.
Contribution Policies
Account holders should comply with the maximum contribution amount set each year. Such amount is increased due to inflation and then rounded off to the nearest $500 every year to be able to keep up with the increasing fees and prices. A benefit associated with these accounts is the capacity to pass unused contribution from the previous years.
For instance, if the accountholder places $3,000 to his TSFA for the year 2009, he can put another $2,000 in 2010 (the following year) to add to the maximum contribution amount of $5,000 together with the indexed increase for the year 2010. Thus, the allowable contribution amount for this accountholder for 2010 amounts to $7,000 plus the indexed increase.
The re-contributions also apply for withdrawn amounts. If the owner of the account in the above example distributes $1,000 from the $3,000 placed in the account for 2009, such funds must be re-contributed in a later date, establishing the total permissible contribution for year 2010 to $8,000 together with the indexed increase.
Another benefit of the TFSA compared to interest bearing checking accounts is that the accountholders are not necessitated to generate earned income to be able to receive the best tax free savings account rates.
Withdrawal Policies
For the reason that the contributions are nondeductible, the distributions or withdrawals in TSFAs are categorically tax-free. In fact, the withdrawals can be made any time during the lifetime of the accountholder, and not right after his retirement. The funds can be utilized for any function, whether to make a huge purchase, supplement retirement income, take a vacation, and pay off mounting debts. There is as well no limit to the funds that can be withdrawn. The total account balance may be acquired any time. In addition, the TFSA accounts are not required to be switched or converted to any type of income payment option, like RRIF or registered retirement income fund or annuity.
As discussed previously, any capital gains or income earned inside the TFSA do not have impact on the eligibility of the account holder to get federal income-tested credit or benefits of any kind similar to IRA tax deduction for IRA account owners in the United States.
Miscellaneous Concerns
Owners of tax free savings account will not receive interest deduction on the money they loan or borrow to accomplish TFSA contribution, though they can utilize their TFSA account assets as loan collateral. The tax free savings account rules are all over the web. It’s important to do thorough researching before setting up this account.
