About Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

Starting in 2009, Canadian residents who are 18 years of age or older will be able to earn tax-free investment income within a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) during their lifetime.

Contributions to a TFSA are not deductible for income tax purposes. Also, interest on money borrowed to invest in a TFSA is not tax deductible. However, the income generated in such an account (for example, investment income and capital gains) is tax-free, even when it is withdrawn.

The TFSA dollar limit is $5,000 in 2009, and will be indexed to inflation and rounded to the nearest $500 in later years. Unused TFSA contribution room can be carried forward to later years. The total of TFSA withdrawals in a calendar year is added to the TFSA contribution room for the next calendar year.

TFSA dollar limit for 2012

With the application of the indexation increase of 2.8% for 2012 and rounding the result to the nearest $500, the TFSA dollar limit for 2012 remains at $5,000.