TFSA contribution room calculator + MORE Jan 10th

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Your chequing account could be the behind-the-scenes hero of your everyday banking activities, if you have the right one. The features can vary from bank to bank and financial institution to financial institution, so it makes sense to shop around if you’re opening a new chequing account or you want a better one. Some Canadian banks offer chequing accounts with low or no fees, added services and generous welcome offers that can help you save and earn money. 

How does your account measure up? Look at the features and perks when comparing chequing accounts. 

1. What’s the minimum balance requirement? 

Some chequing accounts have a monthly fee. Banks and other financial institutions may waive the fee if you keep a minimum balance—typically a few thousand dollars—in your account. Others, like the Simplii Financial No Fee Chequing Account*, have no minimum account balance. 

Even if your chequing account features no minimum balance, keep in mind how much money you need on hand to cover automatic bill payments, such as streaming subscriptions or a gym membership…

Find out your current tax-free savings account (TFSA) contribution limit by using this calculator.

TFSA is a bit of a misnomer. While you can use it for straightforward savings, think of it more accurately as an investment holding account to store things like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), bonds, stocks and, yes, plain-old cash. While you do have to abide by the set amount of contribution room each year, any gains you earn on those investments will not affect your contribution room for the current year or years to come. Plus, the income earned is tax-free (more on that below). Any resident of Canada who is 18 or older and has a valid social insurance number can open a TFSA.

Is a TFSA really tax free?

TFSA contributions won’t reduce your taxable income, unlike registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) contributions. (If you haven’t maxed out your RRSP, get on that before the deadline). However, where you do save on taxes with a TFSA is that the money you earn inside your TFSA is not taxable…