• Home
  • Services
  • Family Enterprise Advisory
  • About
  • Insights
  • Events
  • Contact
Videre Financiers

TFSA versus RRSP – What you need to know to make the most of them in 2022

by Videre Financiers

TFSA versus RRSP – What you need to know to make the most of them in 2022

TFSAs and RRSPs can be significant savings vehicles. To help you understand their differences, we have put together this article to compare:

  • TFSA versus RRSP – Differences in deposits

  • TFSA versus RRSP – Differences in withdrawals

TFSA versus RRSP – Difference in deposits

There are four main areas to focus on when comparing differences in deposits for 2022:

  1. Contribution Room

  2. Carry Forward

  3. Contributions and Tax Deductibility

  4. Tax Treatment of Growth

How much contribution room do I have?

If you have never opened a TFSA before, you can contribute up to $81,500 today. This table outlines the contribution amount you are allowed each year since TFSAs were created, including this year:

For RRSPs, the contribution limit is always 18% of your previous year’s pre-tax earnings to a maximum of $29,210. For example, if you earned $60,000 in 2021 then your contribution limit for 2022 would be $10,800 (18% x $60,000). If you earned $200,000, your contribution limit would be capped at the maximum of $29,210.

How much contribution room can I carry forward?

If you choose not to contribute to your TFSA at all one year or do not contribute the maximum amount in a year, you can indefinitely carry forward your unused contribution room. The only restrictions on this are that you must be a Canadian resident, older than 18, and have a valid social insurance number. In addition, if you make a withdrawal, the amount you withdrew is added to your annual contribution room for the following calendar year.

For an RRSP, you can carry forward your unused contribution room until the age of 71. When you turn 71, you must convert your RRSP into an RRIF. If you make a withdrawal from your RRSP, you do not open up any additional contribution room.

Contributions and Tax Deductibility

Your TFSA contributions are not tax-deductible and are made with after-tax dollars. Your RRSP contributions are tax-deductible and are made with pre-tax dollars.

Tax Treatment of Growth

One of the reasons it is essential to make both RRSP and TFSA contributions is that investment value growth is treated differently.

A TFSA is more suitable for short-term objectives like saving for a house down payment or a vacation because the investment value growth is tax-free. In addition, when you make a withdrawal from your TFSA, you will not have to pay income tax on the amount withdrawn.

The growth in an RRSP is tax-deferred, meaning you will not pay any taxes on your RRSP gains until you withdraw money from your future RRIF account; the account you convert your RRSP into at age 71. As a result, RRSPs are better suited for long-term objectives, like retirement. In addition, since you will have a lower income in retirement than when you are working, you will be in a lower tax bracket and not pay much tax on your RRIF income.

TFSA versus RRSP – Differences in withdrawals

There are four main areas to focus on when comparing differences in withdrawal for 2022:

  1. Conversion Requirements

  2. Tax Treatment

  3. Government Benefits

  4. Contribution Room

Conversion Requirements

For a TFSA, there are never any conversion requirements as there is no maximum age for a TFSA. However, if you have an RRSP, you must convert it to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) if you turn 71 by December 31st of 2022.

Tax Treatment Of Withdrawals

One of the most attractive things about a TFSA is that all your withdrawals are tax-free! This ability to withdraw funds tax-free is why TFSAs are advantageous for short-term goals; you don’t have to worry about taxes when you take money out to pay for a house or a dream vacation.

With an RRSP, if you make a withdrawal before converting it to a RRIF, it will be taxed as income except in two cases:

  1. The Home Buyers Plan lets you withdraw up to $35,000 tax-free, but you must pay it back within fifteen years.

  2. The Lifelong Learning Plan lets you withdraw up to $20,000 ($10,000 maximum per year) tax-free, but you must pay it back within ten years.

How will my government benefits be impacted?

If you are withdrawing from your TFSA or RRSP, it is essential to know how your withdrawals can impact any benefits you receive from the government.

Since TFSA withdrawals are not considered taxable income, they will not impact your eligibility for income-tested government benefits.

RRSP withdrawals are considered taxable income and can affect the following:

  • Income-tested tax credits such as Canada Child Tax Benefit, the Working Income Tax Benefit, the Goods and Services Tax Credit, and the Age Credit.

  • Government benefits including Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Employment Insurance.

How will a withdrawal impact my contribution room?

If you make a withdrawal from your TFSA, then the amount you withdrew will be added on top of your annual contribution room for the following calendar year. However, if you withdraw money from your RRSP, you do not open up additional contribution room.

The Takeaway

RRSPs and TFSAs can both be great savings vehicles. With this in mind, understanding the differences between these two types of tax-advantaged accounts can help you better plan for future purchases and your eventual retirement.

Recent Posts

  • Five Ways To Withdraw Money From Your Business In A Tax-Efficient Manner
  • The Six Steps to Financial Planning
  • Permanent versus Term Life Insurance – What are the Differences?
  • 2022 British Columbia Budget Highlights
  • TFSA versus RRSP – What you need to know to make the most of them in 2022

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Mistakes that Business Owners Make

Download this free guide to learn how to avoid these mistakes business owners make every day.

* indicates required

We provide portfolio management combined with ongoing financial planning. Clients have direct access to our investment team. Private Client Group professionals carry Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations and have extensive experience in effective client communication. They are members of the firm’s Investment Committee and are present at portfolio management meetings, working closely with First Avenue’s Chief Investment Officer. They have an in-depth understanding of portfolio holdings and market outlook. First Avenue clients also have access to the firm’s Chief Investment Officer.

  • Financial and estate planning as part of the ongoing client experience
  • Professional money managers, not professional salespeople
  • No commissions or trailer fees
  • Transparent, straightforward investment strategy
  • Regular communication in human language
  • Direct access to the firm’s Chief Investment Officer
  • Portfolio Managers’ own capital invested alongside yours

Often, lacking great advisors is not the shortfall. Successful families have one or more advisors they trust and have worked with for years. The common weakness exists in the fact that there is not a formal process to how one’s advisors communicate and work together. As a result, there is little co-ordination and integration among strategies and advice from one’s various advisors. This is what our Advisory Board service solves.

After getting to know you and understanding your structure, the first step then for every First Avenue Family Office client begins with building their families’ Advisory Board. Understanding which trusted advisors you already have in place and which we need to add to complete the team: your Advisory Board. We are not here to replace any trusted advisors you may already have, but rather complete the voids and provide a structured platform where all work collaboratively on an integrated basis for your benefit.

Once your Advisory Board is in place, it is our responsibility to co-ordinate and lead the activities of your board. It may sound formal and it can be but it can also be as simple as ensuring ongoing coordination and integration of tax, investment, risk management, trusts and legal professionals. The result is a client experience where one is certain that the various considerations are heard and deeply contemplated.

A full-time collaborative approach considering all facets of your wealth: this is the Family Office difference.

Your Family Financial Statement

Every asset you own, from investment portfolios and real estate to fine art, summarized on one document. The dashboard to every conversation. Kept up to date and reported to you quarterly. When doing any planning, we look at your entire picture and our Advisory Board will consider all angles. It’s about much more than just investments.

Wealth Planning & Co-Ordination

Whether it’s an immigration lawyer because your child is considering moving to the US after post-secondary studies, or it’s executing a complicated estate planning strategy with various trusts in multiple jurisdictions, we are relentless with planning for every facet of your financial world. But, planning is only the first step. Execution is equally important and we are beside you through the entire process. Rather than simply providing a referral and leaving the rest to you, we co-ordinate, and lead execution, attending meetings with your auxiliary professionals to ensure accurate integration at all stages. You avoid dealing with too many individuals and benefit from a further layer of governance on the work being done.

Family Education

As your children become more independent, there may come a time where you wish to start involving them more in managing family finances. This is the pre-cursor to them making their own sound decisions in the future. Properly preparing beneficiaries for these responsibilities is essential. In conjunction with you, First Avenue Family Office organizes roundtables involving all generations and leads regular interactions to progress education and instill confidence in future generations. This education about the stewardships of wealth motivates successors to increase their involvement, which is invaluable in preserving wealth and family culture.

Family Dispute Resolution & Counselling

Every family is complex, and wealth can add a unique dimension to family dynamics. Emotions often replace rational and sound reasoning. Combine this with multiple beneficiaries with different personalities and objectives and it can create divisions within a family. As a trusted, objective partner, we create a safe platform and help guide conversations, allowing family members to maintain healthy relationships. Every beneficiary and family member has their own personality and differing financial needs. We work with each member and incorporate all objectives into the overall family wealth plan. This preserves relationships, wealth and the family legacy.

Philanthropy & Family Legacy

Wealth brings the opportunity to create impact. Before this, it is crucial to focus on oneself to understand: What is your legacy? What are your values and motivations? First Avenue Family Offices ask the appropriate questions and guide conversations to ensure philanthropists to have the greatest impact and create a family legacy. Our Family Office service captures all of the details of your financial world and helps your family make sense of it all. The result: addressing every facet of your financial life in an integrated and personal manner. We understand family dynamics and complexities and will take the necessary time to get to you know you and work through all important areas that need to be planned for.

Contact Us

Suite 1810
1075 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3C9

Tel: (604) 689-8289 ext. 7282
contact@videre.ca

We are committed to our clients.

Send a message

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @ViderePartners

© 2021. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

Cleantalk Pixel