The Worst Mistakes Almost Every TFSA Holder Makes, and the CRA Is Watching

The TFSA is great, sure, but these mistakes could be keeping you from creating cash.

Amy Legate-Wolfe

Author Bio Amy became interested in investing in 2018 after having her first daughter. After receiving a masters degree in journalism from Western University, she became frustrated that the finance industry remained a confusing place for Canadians like her: new parents, millennials, and other young people who needed to understand their finances. Now, Amy focuses on tech companies and renewable energy for growth opportunities, coupling that with long-term investing strategies and equities. She also provides investors with a daily newsletter, Canada Stock Digest, for daily market updates. Her work can also be found at Canada's National Observer, where she writes on the business side of climate action. Before joining Motley Fool Canada, Amy wrote for major news organizations including HuffPost, CTVNews.ca, and CBC. When she’s not researching investing strategies, Amy’s time is pretty much monopolized by her two wild daughters, but in what little spare time she has she loves to do yoga, go on walks with her dog, and travel with her husband. Social Media Follow Amy on LinkedIn and Canada Stock Digest. Favorite Investment Quote “October: This is one of the particularly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February.” – Mark Twain

Published January 23, 2025 9:30 am EST

Many Canadians see their Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) as the ultimate tool for tax-free growth. But mistakes abound, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is always watching. That’s why pairing TFSA investing with a robust stock like Canadian Natural Resources (TSX: CNQ) can help mitigate risks and ensure your portfolio thrives. Here’s how.

Caution, careful — Image source: Getty Images

CRA red flags

First, one common TFSA blunder is over contributing. Even if your investments are flourishing, exceeding your annual contribution limit can trigger a penalty tax of 1% per month on the excess. For example, in 2024, the limit is $7,000. Investing in dividend-paying stocks like CNQ helps you maximize growth within limits due to their strong yield, currently at 4.68%, and potential for appreciation.

Second, using your TFSA as a day-trading account is a mistake many make, thinking it’s a quick way to generate profits tax-free. The CRA may consider frequent trades as business activity, subjecting your TFSA to taxes. With CNQ, you can take a long-term approach, benefiting from its steady revenue streams and dividends while avoiding the risk of CRA scrutiny.

Another misstep involves using the TFSA for non-registered purposes like holding cash for emergencies. While liquidity is essential, your TFSA is better suited for growth investments. CNQ’s performance underscores this with its strong profitability metrics, including an operating margin of 31.74%, which helps sustain its attractive payouts.

Investor mistakes

While you could get dinged by the CRA for the above mistakes, some TFSA holders just don’t use the portfolio properly. Many TFSA holders neglect diversification. Concentrating on one sector can expose your account to unnecessary risk. CNQ’s standing as a leader in the energy sector, combined with its ability to weather market fluctuations, provides stability. Its robust five-year beta of 1.88 reflects higher volatility, but for long-term investors, this can translate to greater returns.

Another mistake is withdrawing without planning. TFSA withdrawals create new room only in the next calendar year. To avoid disrupting your growth strategy, invest in CNQ’s shares. These provide not only capital appreciation but also reliable income through quarterly dividends.

TFSA holders often overlook compounding growth by withdrawing dividends instead of reinvesting them. CNQ’s payout ratio of 59.03% ensures a balance between rewarding shareholders and retaining earnings for growth, making it ideal for reinvestment strategies.

The right choices

Failing to review your TFSA holdings regularly is another pitfall. With CNQ, you’re investing in a company committed to shareholder value, evident in its debt reduction efforts. Currently it holds $11.52 billion in total debt, down significantly from previous years. Staying informed ensures you capitalize on opportunities.

Ignoring tax implications of cross-border investments is another issue. U.S. dividends are subject to withholding tax even within a TFSA. With CNQ, you avoid this as its dividends are tax-free within your account, keeping every cent of your yield.

Some investors also make the mistake of chasing speculative stocks. While exciting, they often lack the fundamentals of a well-established company like CNQ, which boasts a return on equity of 19.10% and a stable history of shareholder returns.

Foolish takeaway

Lastly, neglecting to align investments with your financial goals is a frequent error. CNQ offers a balance of growth and income, ideal for those looking to build wealth over decades. Its future outlook remains promising as it continues to capitalize on strong demand for Canadian energy and responsible environmental, social, and governance practices.

By understanding common TFSA pitfalls and choosing resilient, income-generating investments like CNQ, you can avoid unnecessary CRA penalties and maximize the potential of your tax-free growth. With its solid track record and commitment to shareholder value, CNQ is a reliable anchor for a well-managed TFSA.