[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]
This year, we’ve done something a little bit different with our TFSA vs. RRSP infographic. We separated it into 2 infographics: deposits and withdrawals. The reason for this is that we know advisors work with clients in different stages of their lives. In particular, the accumulation and decumulation phase of their lives.
[/av_textblock]

[av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’25’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”]
[av_image src=’https://financialtechtools.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Angelina_Hung_2020tfsaRrspDeposits_infographic.png’ attachment=’7572′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=” hover=” link=” target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image]
[/av_one_full]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

TFSA vs RRSP: Deposits

So in the Deposit phase, we look at:

Contribution Room
Carry Forward
Contribution
Tax Deductibility
Tax Treatment of Growth

For 2020:

Contribution Room

TFSA: $6,000 if you never opened a TFSA, you can contribute up to $69,500 today.

$5,000 for each year from 2009 to 2012;
$5,500 for each of 2013 and 2014;
$10,000 for 2015;
$5,500 for each of 2016, 2017 and 2019
$6,000 for each of 2019 and 2020

RRSP: 18% of your 2020 pre-tax earned income or $27,230. So for example if you earned $60,000, then your deduction limit would be $10,800 (18% x $60,000). If you earned $200,000, then your deduction limit would be capped at the max limit of $27,230.

Carry Forward

TFSA: You can carry forward your unused contribution room indefinitely, as long as your a Canadian resident, older than age 18 with a valid social insurance number. Withdrawals will usually result in new contribution room.

RRSP: You can carry forward your unused contribution room until the age of 71 when you have to convert your RRSP to a RRIF. Any withdrawals made from your RRSP will not result in new contribution room.

Contribution

TFSA: You are contributing to your TFSA with After-tax dollars.

RRSP: You are contributing to your RRSP with Pre-tax dollars.

Tax Deductibility

TFSA: Contributions are not tax deductible.

RRSP: Contributions are tax deductible. (If you’re interested in your tax savings, you should check out our calculator on our 2020 RRSP Campaign post: https://financialtechtools.ca/2020-rrsp-campaign/)

Tax Treatment of Growth

TFSA: The growth inside a TFSA is tax free therefore it’s a great savings vehicle for immediate objectives such as a down payment for a home.

RRSP: The growth inside an RRSP is tax deferred, which means at withdrawal, you will need to pay tax, therefore it’s a good choice for long term goals such as retirement.
[/av_textblock]

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”]
[av_image src=’https://financialtechtools.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Angelina_Hung_2020tfsaRrspWithdrawals_infographic.png’ attachment=’7573′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=” hover=” link=” target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image]
[/av_one_full]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

TFSA vs RRSP: Withdrawals

So in the Withdrawals phase, we look at:

Conversion
Tax Treatment
Government Benefits
Contribution Room

For 2020:

Conversion

TFSA: With a TFSA, there’s no conversion.

RRSP: You must convert your RRSP to a Registered Retirement Income Fund by December 31st of the year you turn 71.

Tax Treatment

TFSA: You can make tax-free withdrawals.

RRSP: Your withdrawals are taxed as income except for withdrawals under the Home Buyers Plan, which you can withdraw up to $35,000 providing you pay within 15 years or Lifelong Learning Plan, which you can withdraw up to $20,000 ($10,000 per year) providing that the money is paid back within 10 years.

Government Benefits

TFSA: Your withdrawals doesn’t affect eligibility for income tested government benefit because TFSA withdrawals aren’t included as taxable income.

RRSP: RRSP withdrawals are treated as taxable income therefore withdrawals may affect 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. Withdrawals may also affect government benefits you receive including Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Employment Insurance benefits.

Contribution Room

RRSP: Contribution room is based on your previous year’s earned income. You can carry forward your unused contribution room until the age of 71 when you have to convert your RRSP to a RRIF. Any withdrawals made from your RRSP will not result in new contribution room.
[/av_textblock]

[av_codeblock wrapper_element=” wrapper_element_attributes=” custom_class=”]