The #1 Rule Most Canadians Miss
US dividend-paying investments held in a TFSA or FHSA lose 15% of every dividend to US withholding tax — permanently. The same investments in an RRSP pay 0% — Canada's tax treaty with the US exempts registered retirement accounts. This single rule can save $150–$2,000+/year depending on portfolio size.
Your Tax Profile — personalises all calculations
Your province and income determine your marginal tax rate, which drives how costly each misplacement actually is.
Your Est. MTR
43%
marginal tax rate
Step 1 — Which accounts do you have?
Select all that apply. The "currently in" dropdown below will update automatically.
Step 2 — What do you hold, and where?
Enter the approximate value of each investment type and where it currently sits. Leave blank if you don't hold it. Yield percentages are editable.
| Investment type | Amount held | Currently in | Yield % |
|---|
Your Personalised Analysis
Est. Annual Tax Drag
—
at current placement
Potential Annual Savings
—
if fully optimised
Holdings Analysed
—
issues found
Small portfolio note: Your total portfolio is under $50,000. The dollar savings from optimising asset location are modest right now. Prioritise maximising contributions first — location optimisation becomes significantly more impactful as your portfolio grows.
| Holding | Current account | Status | Recommendation | Est. annual drag |
|---|
Priority Actions
📊 Asset Location Reference — All Account Types
| Investment type | TFSA | RRSP | FHSA | Taxable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US Dividend ETFs | Avoid |
Optimal |
Avoid |
OK |
| 📈 US Growth ETFs | Optimal |
Great |
Great |
OK |
| 🌍 International ETFs | OK |
Best |
OK |
OK |
| 🍁 Canadian Equity ETFs | Optimal |
Good |
Good |
OK |
| 💵 Canadian Dividend Stocks | Optimal |
OK |
Good |
Great |
| 🏦 Bonds / Fixed Income | Good |
Optimal |
OK |
Avoid |
| 💳 GICs / HISAs / Cash | Good |
Optimal |
Good |
Avoid |
| 🏢 REITs | Good |
Optimal |
OK |
Avoid |