Wednesday 29 February 2012

Tax Free Savings Accounts: How It Works

By Mira Roberts


The introduction of a new form of registered savings account has made many Canadian citizens happy. This type of account for savings is known as the Tax Free Savings Accounts or TFSA. This account for savings and investment allows Canadian citizens to save money for their retirement w/o paying additional taxes. Taxes imposed on the interests gained on an investment have burdened investors. TFSA have lessened the burdened of investors because of the no-tax policy on the account.

The good thing with TFS accounts is that account holders or investors can withdraw their savings anytime without paying any tax. Many Canadians appreciated the introduction of TFSA and they received the good news well. It was Jim Flaherty, the Canadian Finance Minister who introduced the savings policy in 2008. In January 2009, the form of registered savings account was effectively put into use.

There were many government agencies that praised the introduction of TFSA. The following agencies are: The Canadian Bankers Association, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Taxpayers federation, etc. The new type of investment is an advantage for Canadian Citizens who want to keep their money by investing for their future use.

18 years old and above citizens are allowed to invest in TFSA. They need a valid Social Insurance Number upon opening a TFSA. There is a limit on an individual's contribution to TSFA. Account holders may only deposit up to $5000 per annum on their TFSA.

A Canadian citizen can own multiple TFSAs but their contribution annually is still limited to $5000. If he chooses to open two accounts for two different types of investments, the $5000 will divided. The account owner can choose to deposit $2500 on each account making it $5000 annually or he can split the $5000 limit of contribution in whatever amount for the two accounts.

If you will ask, "What more can I invest in a TFSA If I don't have cash?" One can invest shares of stocks, bonds, registered units, royal units, real estate investment trusts, mutual funds, etc. There is no need to worry when one runs out of cash to contribute to their TFSA because other investment types can be transferred to it. These investments can earn interests and can be withdrawn anytime free from any tax consequences.

Tax Free Savings Accounts will remain open even if the account holder left the country. It is still active even if no contributions were deposited by the account owner. If the owner of the account dies, the funds will be transferred immediately to beneficiaries. The spouse can also choose to have the contributions added to their own TFSA. All the transactions in transferring funds are free from tax deductions.




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