The content on this website may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. This means we earn money from brands when readers click through, purchase, or sign up through certain links. Clicking the links won't result in any additional cost to you, but it will support our blog. Thanks!
Why Do Canadians Misunderstand The TFSA contribution limits and the account itself?
The Tax-Free savings account in Canada is one of the BEST accounts for building wealth, but it’s also one of the more misunderstood accounts. Let’s explain why you may not be using your TFSA to its full advantage and what you should be doing instead.
First of all, it’s not Canadians’ fault that many are using the TFSA in a way that is less than ideal. The primary issue comes from its name. It is called a Savings Account, but the way to get the most value is by using it as an investment account.
TLDR: the 2024 TFSA Contribution limit is $7000, but you want to read on to make sure you don’t make these common mistakes.
Let’s think about the main benefit this account provides. It is a Tax Free account, which means your money grows tax-free, and is not taxed on withdrawal. You are using your after-tax dollars to contribute, so there are no deductions in taxes like you could get when you contribute to your RRSP. To understand why this is so important, let’s take a step back.
When Are We Taxed in Canada?
Here in Canada, among other things, we are taxed when we make income. When it comes to savings and investment, that can be one of three ways.
- Interest Income
- Capital Gains
- Dividends
When saving money in a savings account, it is common to earn some level of interest on our balances. Depending on your financial institution, the interest rate of your TFSA Savings account could vary widely. Unfortunately, most TFSA savings accounts are NOT high-interest savings accounts.
However, since interest rates have risen, some institutions provide higher rates for TFSA Savings accounts. If you want to earn interest by saving (and not investing), a TFSA account is not your best bet. There are some great rates in High-Interest savings accounts, which are taxable. If you are looking for a High-Interest savings account that pays you a high everyday interest rate consider this one.
Tax Free Savings Account vs High Interest Savings Account
A HISA is a High-Interest Savings account that is taxable. Some people are afraid to use a HISA account for savings because they are so tax-averse that any thought of incurring taxation gets their anxiety on high alert. We live in Canada; we pay taxes; it’s a fact of life.
Trying to avoid taxes by intentionally choosing to earn less interest is like trying to avoid getting a raise because it may bump your tax bracket. Earning more money is always worth it. Don’t shortchange yourself; you will still come out ahead.
A TFSA savings account earning you .85% Would net you $168 in interest in one year. While the HISA Account would make you $800 in interest. You can see how much of an advantage the taxable HISA account gives you in earning power over the low-interest TFSA savings account.
In a taxable account like a HISA, the interest income you make from a savings account will be reported for taxes. This is why the institution will ask for your tax information when you open an account. “Each year, your financial institution will send you a Statement of investment income (T5). You must submit it along with your personal income tax return. A T5 shows how much investment income you earned for a given tax year.”
Even if you are taxed on the HISA account, you will still come away with more money than saving at a much lower rate in a tax-free account. Honestly, the taxable interest from a savings account is not going to move the needle so much that you would come away with a big tax bill to outweigh the amount of additional income you are receiving. So please don’t be afraid to use a HISA.
High Interest Savings accounts do have their place – short-term savings and emergency funds are two great uses for high interest savings accounts.
The Savings account earning you a measly 0.85% would net you a gain of $1,174 over a ten year period, while the investment account would be growing at around 8% and up $24,393!
* Investment returns are never guaranteed. There is risk in all investments. Previous return is no guarantee of future return. Calculated with Nerd Wallet’s investment calculator
With the above comparison, starting with the same amount and not making any further contributions, the investment account would put us over $23,000 ahead of our savings account.
On top of that, in ten years, our savings account has also lost value as our purchasing power erodes with inflation, further driving home that to grow our wealth, we NEED to be investing!
Should I save or Invest in a TFSA
The answer to this is even more important than figuring out the TFSA 2024 limit. The answer is that you should be Investing in a TFSA Account! When you invest, you give your money a chance to grow exponentially.
Investments can appreciate and earn dividends, which, when reinvested, help you grow your portfolio much quicker. Investing can be scary if you are not familiar with it.
That’s why we created a course to help Canadians learn the basics around investing – demystifying it to make it more accessible to more people.
Can I use TFSA for Investing AND saving?
You can hold multiple TFSA accounts of similar or different types. Note that the contribution room total is for you as an individual and not per account, so be mindful of tracking your contributions if you have multiple accounts. If you must open a TFSA savings account, which If you’ve read this far, you know I would not recommend, please choose the highest everyday interest rate possible (don’t get sucked in by a short-term promotional rate). Check out some options here as rounded up by NerdWallet.
What’s wrong with using a savings account TFSA in addition to a TFSA investment account?
You use your valuable contribution room for a much less impactful purpose. Each account has its best use. A High-interest savings account is best for keeping cash for short-term goals or emergency funds; A TFSA is best used for investing so you can grow your nest egg for the future TAX-FREE. We won’t benefit from favourable tax treatment on a small savings account like we would on an extensive and growing investment portfolio. So, to put the account to the best benefit for you, you should be investing in your TFSA Account.
How TFSA Contribution Room Works
Before you contribute or withdraw from your TFSA account, you need to understand the 2024 TFSA contribution limit, and how contribution room works in this account. Each year you have a set amount that you can contribute to your TFSA accounts. Each new year, a new limit is set – These annual limits are cumulative. The add on to your room each year.
Also if you withdraw from your TFSA account, you can add back that same amount (plus your annual limit) in the next year. If you decide you want to put that money back in the same year – you can only do so if you have that much contribution room available for that year.
2024 TFSA Contribution Limit & Total TFSA Contribution Room
The TFSA limit in 2024 will be set at $7,000. The annual contribution limit changes from year to year. It is “indexed to inflation and rounded to the nearest $500.” This is another area which is widely misunderstood. Some people take the annual limit as the maximum and misunderstand their total contribution room. Let’s clarify this misconception.
Most people I know have never maxed out their Total TFSA Account Contribution limit – but restrain themselves to thinking only about the annual limit.
But get this: If you were at least 18 years old when the TFSA was introduced in 2009, and you never contributed before, as of January 1st, 2024, you will have a total of $95,000 in contribution room that you can use.
So what do you think your real TFSA limit 2024 is, taking this information into account?
Year | Limit | Year | Limit |
2024 | $7,000 | 2016 | 5,500 |
2023 | $6,500 | 2015 | $10,000 |
2022 | $6,000 | 2014 | $5,500 |
2021 | $6,000 | 2013 | $5,500 |
2020 | $6,000 | 2012 | $5,000 |
2019 | $6,000 | 2011 | $5,000 |
2018 | $5,500 | 2010 | $5,000 |
2017 | $5,500 | 2009 | $5,000 |
If you contributed (and withdrew) from your account over the years since opening your TFSA, you must check your My CRA Account to confirm your specific contribution room. It’s important to check because over-contributing will lead to financial penalties. “At any time in the year, if you contribute more than your available TFSA contribution room, you will have to pay a tax equal to 1% of the highest excess TFSA amount in the month for each month that the excess amount stays in your account.”
Want to learn more about investing in Canada?
If you want to improve your financial literacy and build investing knowledge, download this FREE cheat sheet on the Top Ten Terms to learn about investing in Canada and build the confidence you need to start investing. It is so important to continue to pursue financial education in whatever format is preferable to you. Whether through books, enrolling in a course, or following more Canadian Money influencers on your social media!
Doing the TFSA right!
The TFSA account is the BEST tool Canadians have to build wealth. It allows us to grow our nest egg with tax-free growth and withdrawals. The way we utilize this tool in the most impactful way is by using it to invest, not save. Now you know the 2024 TFSA contribution limit, and why you may be able to invest more than that next year.
The High-Interest Savings Account has its place, and that is to help you reach your short-term financial goals and store your emergency fund! HISA’s are not scary! Don’t be so afraid of taxes that you prevent yourself from making more money!
Every eligible Canadian should open a TFSA investing account. Anyone over 18 can start investing in a tax-free savings account and reap the benefits of long-term growth in their investment portfolio. The earlier you begin investing, the better! Not everyone can max out their TFSA accounts each year, and that’s ok! Contribute consistently and plan for the long term, increase your contributions over time when you can, and the TFSA Investment account will help you reach your financial goals.
You should consult with a financial advisor and/or conduct further research to make well-informed decisions about using a TFSA account for investing. If you need help I recommend finding a fee-based or Advice-only financial planner.
Read more from the Canadian Budget Blog
Best Canadian Personal Finance Podcasts…
Best Canadian Finance Podcasts to listen to in 2024 Improve Your Financial Literacy with Canadian Personal Finance PodcastsGetting better with...
Read More
2024 TFSA Contribution Limit and…
The 2024 TFSA Contribution Limit & Why Most Canadians Misunderstand It The TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)is one of the most...
Read More
Employer Pension Plans Canada: A…
Have an employer sponsored pension, and confused as to what that means for your future financial planning? Come along as...
Read More
5 Budgeting Myths Debunked
What are the budgeting myths you believe, and how much are they holding you back from mastering your money? Let's...
Read More
5 Reasons You Need To…
5 Reasons You Need To Be Investing, As A Canadian Woman. If you’re a Canadian Woman who wants to start...
Read More
How To Become a Dividend…
How To Become A Dividend Investor So, you are curious about how to become a dividend investor? Investing in the...
Read More
What a Budget is and…
Learn about what a budget really is from Deidre at Ohh You Budget. Grab your Free Debt Payoff spreadsheet while...
Read More
Life Insurance Basics for Canadian…
Life Insurance Basics For Canadian Families Here are some life insurance basics every Canadian family should know! When you’re budgeting...
Read More
Five Affirmations in a Bear…
Five Affirmations in a Bear Market Take a deep breath … relax … exhale … repeat. Yes, there is a bear...
Read MoreAbout The Author
