Not sure how to make a retirement plan? Read on…
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Making the most of the pension tax credit + MORE Nov 29th
Ask MoneySense
I liked your coverage of RRIF taxation. I would like to see more information on LIF taxation. More precisely, on the following scenario: Individuals do not get the $2,000 tax credit for RRIF withdrawals before age 65. Did I read properly that for LIF withdrawals the $2,000 tax cr.... More »
Can you receive a government pension if you live outside of Canada? Jul 20th
Q. My father, who was born in 1945, left Canada to live in Thailand when was 26 years old. That was 50 years ago and he has never returned. If he comes back to Canada for one year to apply for his OAS, would he be eligible to receive a full pension? And would they be able to calculate his pension an.... More »
First home savings account: A Gen Z guide to achieving home ownership + MORE Mar 29th
Becoming a home owner is a significant milestone that many young adults wish they could afford. More than two in five Canadians (43%) plan to purchase a home in the next five years, and 24% of them have yet to start saving for a down payment, according to a study conducted by The Harris Poll for Ner.... More »
How does an executor pay estate expenses during the probate process? + MORE May 4th
I’ve realized that my large RRSP would generate a very large income tax bill if I die in the near future. I don’t have a spouse, or anyone who qualifies as a beneficiary to my RRSP on a tax-deferred basis. How can my executor pay my income taxes if it takes a year to get probated?—Carol
.... More »
Selling stocks at a loss in a TFSA: What it means for your contribution room Apr 12th
Ask MoneySense
I lost $20,000 dollars in my TFSA account in the market correction, and my broker sold the losing stocks. Can I put more money in to bring me back up the to the limit the government allows?—Wayne
Capital losses in a TFSA
A capital loss is when you sell an investment at a lowe.... More »
Should I contribute to my TFSA when I’m 68?
– moneysense.ca
iStockQ. I am 68 years old and already retired. Is there any point in contributing to a TFSA?
– Michelle
A. Any point? Why yes. There are lots and lots of points. I’ll make a few of them here.
The Tax-Free Savings Account is a great vehicle to reduce your taxes whatever your age. You’re already retired, so you’re not saving for that phase of your life. But you may have assets that could benefit from the tax shelter that the TFSA provides.
Money that you withdraw from an RRSP or a RRIF is taxed as income. But TFSA contributions are made with after-tax income, so you don’t pay a second time when you pull the money out. This means that whatever you draw from the TFSA will not impact “income-tested” benefits like Old Age Security or the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Related: Should we tap the RRSP and feed the TFSA?
Remember, too, that you can’t contribute to an RRSP after age 71 and you’ll have to start withdrawing money from your RRIF, according to the amounts the government mandates…
When to watch out for OAS clawbacks
– moneysense.ca
Beware of the clawback!(Shutterstock)Q: I have been trying to find out how much extra income a person can earn without having to report the income while drawing OAS and CPP.
I have tried looking this up online, but every site I have been to wants to charge me just to get the answer or does not answer my question and ends up talking about other things.
I just need to know the limit they are allowed to earn before they need to report it.
—Marcella
A: By default, Marcella, you should assume that most income sources are taxable and need to be reported on your tax return. There are a few exceptions, like GST/HST credits, Canada child benefits, lottery winnings, gifts, inheritances, post-secondary scholarships for full-time students, and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) withdrawals.
Ask a Planner: Leave your question for Jason Heath »
There are also amounts that may end up being tax-free, like if your income is low, or if you have lots of tax credits, or on the sale of certain types of assets, like a business or farm…
