13 posts

What changed, and what it means

Shorter than a guide and tied to the current year: rate changes, new limits, deadlines, and the questions that arrive most often.

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LatestSavingAug 21, 2026

Pay off the card or contribute to your RRSP? The 2026 math for Canadians

Minimum payments on a $10,000 balance at 20.99% run about $2,100 a year and take close to 27 years to clear. A $10,000 RRSP contribution at a 31% rate returns $3,115 — but the debt is still there.

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Balance transferBalance transfer
Account optimizerOptimizer
TFSA, RRSP and FHSA roomRegistered

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Aug 21, 2026Canada’s 14% tax bracket: how much extra take-home you actually keep in 2026The reduced federal bottom rate applies for the full year in 2026. The saving peaks at about $421 at a taxable income of $58,523 — and then stops growing entirely.Tax
Aug 21, 2026The RRIF trap: how mandatory withdrawals trigger the OAS clawback in 2026A $1.5M RRIF at 71 forces a $79,200 minimum withdrawal. Add CPP and OAS on top and many retirees clear the 2026 clawback threshold without spending a dollar more.Retirement
Aug 21, 2026First-time buyer GST rebate 2026: how to stack it with an FHSA and the Home Buyers’ PlanThe rebate removes the 5% federal GST on eligible new builds priced up to $1 million. Combined with an FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan, a couple can assemble a six-figure tax-sheltered down payment.Mortgage
Aug 21, 2026Mortgage renewal 2026: what a higher payment means, and how to shop without the stress testBank of Canada staff analysis puts the average payment increase on five-year fixed renewals in 2026 near 20%. A straight switch that keeps the same balance and amortization no longer triggers the stress test — which means you can shop the entire market.Mortgage
Jul 23, 2026RESP guide Canada 2026: how to get $7,200 in free government money for your child’s educationThe CESG is worth $7,200 per child, with up to $2,000 more for lower-income families and no contribution required for the Canada Learning Bond.Family
Jun 7, 2026Ontario take-home pay 2026: exactly how much tax you pay on every salaryA $75,000 Ontario income nets roughly $56,000 after tax, CPP and EI in 2026. Here is the breakdown at five salary levels, and why raises feel smaller than they look.Tax
Jun 7, 2026RRSP, TFSA, FHSA or debt? The right order to invest in Canada 2026Many Canadians sequence contributions badly. Filling a TFSA while skipping an employer RRSP match forfeits a guaranteed 50% to 100% return.Saving
May 23, 2026When to take CPP: age 60, 65 or 70? The break-even math for CanadiansEach year deferred past 65 raises the benefit permanently by 8.4%. Here is where the cumulative lines cross, and what the chart cannot tell you.Retirement
May 23, 2026TFSA vs RRSP 2026: which account should you contribute to first?Both shelter growth completely, so the decision comes down to one comparison: your tax rate today against your expected rate at withdrawal.Saving
May 19, 2026GIC ladder calculator Canada 2026: strategy, rates and how it worksPutting everything in one term bets on a single rate. Staggering maturities gives you access to cash every year, longer-term yields, and far less rate exposure.Saving
May 4, 2026FHSA calculator Canada 2026: maximize your First Home Savings AccountThe strongest account available to first-time buyers: $8,000 a year, fully deductible, withdrawn tax-free for a first home, with nothing to repay.Saving
Apr 21, 2026CRA tax deadline 2026: last-minute checklist for Canadian filersApril 30, 2026 is the filing date for most Canadians. Late filing is still possible — here is the checklist of slips and credits that raises refunds and limits CRA interest.Tax

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