What is a Tax-Free Savings Account?

A Tax-free Savings Account (TFSA) is an account that lets your deposits grow quickly through tax-free compounding. You pay no income tax on investment returns earned in the account, and there are no taxes on amounts you withdraw.

How can it help me?

A TFSA makes sense for just about everybody. Anyone who earns taxable interest in a simple bank savings account can turn it into tax-free interest with a TFSA. Whether you’re saving for travel, home renovations, your children’s education or your own retirement, a TFSA is a good idea.

A TFSA is especially well suited to:

• Those who have maximized RSP contributions and want additional latitude for tax-advantaged savings.

• Those who want access to tax-free savings before retirement. Unlike an RSP, you can withdraw money from a TFSA at any time without tax consequences.

• Seniors worried that investment income could have a negative impact on government benefits or tax credits that are reduced or eliminated at higher income levels. These include Old Age Security benefits, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the federal age credit. Withdrawals from a TFSA have no impact on eligibility for these "income-tested” benefits.

Who can have a TFSA

Any Canadian resident over the age of 18 with a social insurance number can open a TFSA. There is no minimum contribution required to start an account, and you can contribute as much as $5,000 every year.