TFSA 2024 Contribution Limit - $7,000

You can contribute up to $7,000 to your TFSA in 2024 if you are a Canadian resident over 18 years of age and hold a valid social insurance number. If you have not made a contribution to a TFSA and have been eligible since it was introduced in 2009, you can contribute up to $95,000.

With a TFSA you can build your savings faster since you won’t be taxed on your investment earnings. This allows you to save for what matters most to you—whether it's starting your home renovation project, setting aside funds for post-secondary tuition, or planning for a dream vacation. Plus, you have the freedom to withdraw your money when needed without incurring any penalties.

If you are considering opening a TFSA and want to learn more about it, here is a quick primer to help you get started.

What is a TFSA?

A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), is a flexible tax-advantaged savings account that allows you to earn investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gains, without paying tax on those earnings. Contributions to a TFSA are made with after-tax dollars, but withdrawals, including investment gains, are tax-free.

What are the key features of a TFSA?

• Flexibility – You have the freedom to select investment options based on your financial objectives and you can withdraw any amount from your TFSA at any time without incurring a penalty
• Tax-free growth and withdrawals – Your investment earnings grow tax-free if you stay within your contribution limits and you won’t be taxed on the interest earned when it is withdrawn
• Rolling contribution limits – The amount you withdraw from your TFSA is added back to your contribution room the following year  
• Contributions - Contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals from your account are tax-free

What are the TFSA investment options?

You can hold any of the following investment options in your TFSA:

• Cash
• GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates
• Mutual Funds
• Stocks
• Bonds

How much can you contribute?

The TFSA contribution limit for 2024 is $7,000 and the lifetime contribution room is $95,000. You can carry over unused contribution room from previous years provided you were at least 18 years old in 2009, the year TFSAs were introduced by the federal government.

You can find your TFSA contribution room by using CRA’s MyAccount.

Can you over-contribute to a TFSA?

If you exceed your contribution limit, the excess contribution will be subject to a penalty of 1% per month each month the excess remains in the TFSA account.

Talk to a financial advisor

To maximize the benefits of your TFSA contributions and take advantage of the investment earning potential, consider consulting with a financial advisor.

UCU Wealth Strategies Group can help you make informed investment choices. Your advisor will assess your financial situation and work with you to develop an investment strategy tailored to your needs and financial goals.

Information about TFSAs can be found on our website. You can make an appointment with one of our advisors for personalized service.

RRSP Contribution Deadline – February 29, 2024

You have until February 29, 2024, to contribute to your RRSP for the 2023 tax year. An RRSP allows you to save for retirement while taking advantage of certain tax benefits. To determine your contribution limit, check your CRA Notice of Assessment.

If you are considering opening an RRSP and want to learn more about it, here is a quick primer to get you started.

What is an RRSP?

A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a plan created by the Canadian government to help you save for retirement. It is an account that provides you with a means to invest for retirement while offering specific tax-saving features. Think of it as an additional retirement fund to complement your Canada Pension Plan.

How does an RRSP work?

The most important feature of an RRSP is its tax advantages. Here are three tax-related features:

• Tax-deductible contributions: Contributions made to an RRSP are tax-deductible. This means that the amount you contribute to your RRSP can be deducted from your taxable income for the year in which you make the contribution. For example, if you earned $60,000 in 2023 and contributed $7,000 to your RRSP, you would only be taxed on $53,000. This can result in immediate tax savings, particularly beneficial during higher income years.
• Tax-sheltered growth: When you contribute money to an RRSP, the investments held within the plan grow on a tax-deferred basis. This means that any interest, dividends, or capital gains earned within the RRSP are not taxed while they remain in your plan.
• Tax-deferred withdrawals: While contributions are tax-deductible and growth is tax-sheltered, taxes on the funds within an RRSP are deferred until you make withdrawals. When you withdraw funds from your RRSP, you'll be taxed on both contributions and investment earnings. The advantage lies in potentially paying lower taxes during high-income years and reduced taxes in retirement when you might be in a lower tax bracket. It's important to note that you must begin withdrawing from your RRSP by the end of the year in which you turn 71, converting it into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) with mandatory minimum annual withdrawals.

How much can I contribute?

RRSPs are registered accounts and are subject to contribution rules.  For the 2023 tax year, you can contribute 18% of your previous year’s income or up to $30,780 - whichever is less. If you did not max out your RRSP contributions from previous years' tax filings that unused amount carries over. To determine how much contribution room you have, review the Notice of Assessment you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after filing your taxes. It states your contribution room for the current tax year. You can also call the CRA Tax Information Phone Service or log into CRA My Account.

When is the contribution deadline?

The RRSP deadline for the 2023 tax year is February 29, 2024.

What types of accounts and investments are allowed in RRSPs?

You can hold many types of investments in an RRSP. They include:

• Cash
• GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates)
• Mutual Funds
• Stocks
• ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
• Bonds

What happens when I over-contribute to an RRSP?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) imposes a penalty for overcontributions to an RRSP. It is 1% per month on the amount that exceeds your RRSP contribution limit by more than $2,000. This penalty is calculated for each month the excess contribution remains in the account. The CRA allows a $2,000 lifetime overcontribution allowance. This means you may not be penalized for the first $2,000 of overcontribution. However, you can’t claim a tax deduction for any portion of the $2,000 over contribution.

Talk to a financial advisor

To maximize the benefits of your RRSP contributions and take advantage of the investment earning potential, consider consulting with a financial advisor.

UCU Wealth Strategies Group can help you make informed investment choices. Your advisor will assess your financial situation and work with you to develop an investment strategy tailored to your needs and retirement goals.

Information about RRSPs can be found on our website. You can make an appointment with one of our advisors for personalized service.