TFSA vs. RRSP: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between a TFSA and an RRSP will essentially depends on your financial situation and your investment goals.

thinking

Image source: Getty Images

The pandemic has disrupted many things but it’s still important that you contribute to an RRSP or a TFSA if you can put some cash aside. But you should analyze your situation to determine if you would be better off contributing to an RRSP or a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

Your best choice depends on your position in the COVID economy. If you earn a decent salary from a stable job, but are stuck at home with limited possibilities to spend it, then this could be a golden opportunity to load up your RRSP. On the other hand, if your income has suffered or if your job security is uncertain, it might be better to keep the cash you have in a TFSA close at hand.

TFSA vs. RRSP

TFSAs and RRSPs have distinct and complementary roles. With an RRSP, you get a tax deduction upfront by making a contribution – which usually creates a tax refund when your 2020 tax return is processed – but withdrawals are fully taxable.

The TFSA works in the opposite way. You don’t get a tax deduction on contributions but you also don’t pay tax on withdrawals. If you’re 18 or older, $6,000 has been added to your TFSA contribution room for 2021 and can be used anytime this year or later.

But RRSPs and TFSAs also have some favourable characteristics in common. Both protect you from income tax on interest, dividends, and realized capital gains while the funds remain invested in the RRSP or TFSA structure. Both allow you to accumulate unused contribution room each year and use it in subsequent years.

If you have accumulated enough cash during the pandemic and also have unused RRSP contribution room from previous years, you may be able to make a particularly large contribution. But regardless of the amount of the contribution, you benefit from an attractive tax deduction from the start and you are not taxed on the cash until you finally withdraw it when you retire from work. At that time, you will likely be in a lower tax bracket.

However, RRSPs are generally not as suitable if you are likely to need funds in the short term, as you will then be liable for income taxes at a possibly inopportune time.

TFSA contributions, on the other hand, do not entitle you to a tax refund, but withdrawals never have tax consequences either. Plus, if you withdraw from your TFSA, you don’t lose your contribution room for good (unlike RRSPs). You can put the money back into your TFSA at any time starting in the next calendar year.

These features make the TFSA a great, comprehensive and much more flexible way to save in case you need funds anytime soon. So, if you worry about your financial situation or your job, the TFSA might be the best place to put your money right now.

What should I invest in?

Whether you contribute to a TFSA or an RRSP or both, where you invest your cash depends on your investment goals. If you invest for retirement, you can take more risks as you have a long-time horizon.

Buying stocks is a great way to get interesting returns over the long-term. Bank stocks, like Royal Bank of Canada and National Bank of Canada, are great stocks to buy for retirement. They will provide you some growth with a decent dividend yield while limiting the downside. If you’re looking for higher growth, tech stocks like Constellation Software and Docebo are interesting picks.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf owns shares of NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Constellation Software.

More on Dividend Stocks

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »