There’s at least one nice thing about doing your taxes: the possibility of getting a refund. According to figures from Revenue Canada, just over half of the nearly 25 million tax returns filed in 2019 received a refund, at an average amount of $1,670.
If you did receive a refund, you need to decide what to do with it. The temptation to spend your refund immediately can be strong. Who doesn’t want a vacation, a new car, or that kitchen renovation you’ve been hoping to start? However, it’s important to consider all your options, such as paying down debt or saving for the future.
Whether you’re beginning your career, starting a family, or saving for a down payment on a home, below are some suggestions about smart ways you can put your tax refund to use.
Pay Down Your Debt
According to a survey conducted by Global News at the end of 2019, the demographic with the most debt appears to be Generation X (loosely defined as people aged 35-54), who report an average debt of over $10,000, not including their mortgage. This includes credit card debt, which can carry interest rates nearing 20%. Monthly payments at such high rates can quickly eat a big hole into your budget.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) offers advice on how to manage your debt. It recommends paying off higher-interest debt first, such as payday loans and credit cards. This will help lower your interest costs and free up more money to reduce your overall debt.
The debate about whether you should invest your money or use it to pay down debt is strong and ongoing. This choice depends heavily on prevailing interest rates, the amount you owe, and your financial situation. Online calculators can be a great resource to help you decide whether paying down your debt is the right choice for you.
Save for Retirement
The internet is full of statistics about Canadians not saving enough for retirement. Government programs such as the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security will provide a basic income for many Canadians in retirement, but you need to consider your own retirement wants and needs in deciding how much more savings you need. The good news is that the earlier you start saving, the more your money could grow with the benefit of smart investment choices.
A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is the most well-known retirement savings option in Canada. It allows you to contribute money each year, while avoiding taxes on those contributions until you withdraw it later in life (hopefully at a lower tax rate). In fact, RRSP contributions can help increase the amount of money you receive as a tax refund.
Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA’s) are another great option for long-term savings, as any capital gains you accumulate inside a TFSA are not taxable. Luckily, there is no shortage of options when it comes to saving your money for retirement. Canada Life offers a range of saving and investing solutions, including mutual funds and more comprehensive retirement plans.
Start an Emergency Fund
There are several reasons to save beyond the long-term goal of retirement. The FCAC recommends Canadians set up an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment or a medical emergency. An emergency fund can be set up slowly, with small weekly contributions to a dedicated savings account. You can also use part of your tax refund to set up a base from which to build over time.
This process can also be applied to other savings goals, such as a wedding or a down payment on a new home. You can set aside a portion of your tax refund, and then make smaller contributions on a regular basis to meet your goal.
Save for a Child’s Education
If you are expecting a child, or are the parents of a recent newborn, you’ve probably thought at least in passing about the costs associated with their education. The average cost for a year of undergraduate tuition in Canada hit $6,571 in 2019, reports Statistics Canada. And tuition levels are widely expected to continue rising. Luckily, there are government programs to help you save money for your children, the most well-known is the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
You can open an RESP as soon as your baby is born. The earlier you start saving, the more you can potentially grow your money by the time he or she is ready for post-secondary studies. The federal government will contribute up to $500 per year to any deposits you make into an RESP (based on a formula of matching your own contributions to the account at a rate of 20% annually). So if you’re putting in less than $2,500 each year (about $200 per month) to your child’s RESP you’re missing out on those government amounts.
