Summary
Ever wonder which savings plan is best for you? Let alone wonder what each one provides. Well, we broke down what they each are, following a chart for better comparison.
Quick Facts
RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)
The RRSP is a savings plan registered with the federal government that allows you to save for your retirement. With an RRSP your contributions reduce your taxable income and your investments grow on a tax-deferred basis – you do not pay tax on interest, dividends and capital gains as long as they are held within the plan.
This differs from TFSA account which does not reduce your taxable income, but does give you the added benefit of not paying tax on your withdrawals.
A person can start contributing any time and at any age until plan holder reaches the age of 71.
TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account)
The TFSA is a flexible investment account that can help you meet both your short- and long-term goals. Investment income in a TFSA (interest, dividends, and capital gains) are not taxed, even when withdrawn, but unlike RRSP amounts contributed to the account are not deducted from taxable income.
Any Canadian resident age 18 or older with a Social Insurance Number can open a Tax Free Savings Account and you do not need to have earned income to contribute.
Although both types of investments share some similarities, there are several differences. Your investment adviser can help you decide how to best achieve your short and long term goals, but as a rule of thumb it is always a good idea to diversify your investment portfolio.
rRSP
tFSA
contribution room
rRSP
tFSA
carry forward of unused contribution room
rRSP
tFSA
require earned income to contribute
rRSP
tFSA
age qualifications to make contributions
rRSP
tFSA
are contributions tax Deductible
rRSP
tFSA
tax implications on income growth
rRSP
tFSA
tax implications on withdrawals
rRSP
tFSA
can i withdraw savings for any reason
rRSP
tFSA
am i required to change my plan at a certain age
rRSP
tFSA
are there over-contribution penalty tax?
rRSP
tFSA
So which investment type is a better option?
While the TFSA is a great investment to meet your short and long term investment goals, an RRSP is still one of the best ways to save for retirement. Both offer great ways to save, it will all depend on your short and long term investment goals. Your financial adviser can help you maximize your investments over the short and long term by understanding your goals.
RRSP is a great vehicle to reduce your taxable income and have your investment grow on tax-deferred bases it will help keep you more disciplined about savings since withdrawing the funds may result in paying more income tax. If you are focused on saving for retirement, consider minimizing your income tax with an RRSP and using TFSA as a second source of savings, your TFSA can complement you RRSP by giving you another way to shelter investment earnings for each taxation year. This will specially be useful if you have exhausted your RRSP contribution room or if you are retired and can no longer contribute to an RRSP. The TFSA may also be preferable for those with minimal retirement income prospects who are concerned about losing the guaranteed income supplement or other government assistance that is based on household income.
Please note that the above information is intended as a general source of information and should not be considered as specific source of tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules and regulations are subject to change at any time, and we at MMS Accounting & Bookkeeping will help you navigate and fully benefit from any tax savings available to you. Should you need help to find out what is the right amount of contribution to make to your RRSP for maximum tax savings, we will gladly provide you with different scenarios. Remember, your RRSP contribution deadline for current year is March 1 of the following year. TFSA contributions work on a calendar year bases, so for contributions for current year, it need to be made by December 31.
