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Investment

Need to tap into your investments? Beware of tax traps

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Inflation has been putting a strain on just about every household budget. In some cases, it’s the increased cost of food. In other cases, it’s the higher cost of servicing debt as interest rates skyrocket.

If dipping into your retirement savings is the only alternative to make ends meet it’s important to know the tax consequences vary depending on where you draw the cash from.

Ideally, you will already have some cash in your retirement accounts, but your needs could require liquidating investments. Selling investments in a pinch can be tricky in a market where just about everything is in a slump. A qualified investment advisor can help trim profits, or separate the duds from those poised to realize their potential.

You might also want to consult a tax expert. Any tax pro will tell you to never make an investment decision based solely on tax implications, but the amount of tax you pay on withdrawals often depends on how the money is stored and your personal situation.

NON-REGISTERED INVESTMENTS

There is no tax on cash transfers from a regular, non-registered investment account. If a stock or equity fund is sold to generate cash, however, half of the capital gains are taxed at your marginal rate (the rate you pay based on your overall income).

A capital gain is a profit from the original investment. There is a bright side if you are selling an equity that has gone down from its original value, however. Half of capital losses can be used to recoup taxes paid on capital gains over the previous three years, or can be used to offset future capital gains.

TFSA: PROBABLY THE BEST IDEA

There is no tax on capital gains, and therefore no tax break from capital losses on investments sold in a tax-free savings account (TFSA).

In fact, there is no tax on any gains or contributions in a tax-free savings account.

Cash withdrawals from a TFSA can be made at any time but for those who contribute the maximum amount it’s important to know that allowable contribution space will not be renewed until the following calendar year.

HELOC: NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Like a TFSA, money withdrawn from a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or reverse mortgage is never taxed.

Both are loans against the equity in your home and interest is charged on the balance owed. That interest compounds over time until the full loan is paid back; either at the homeowner’s choosing, when the house is sold, or the owner dies.

Tapping into home equity has been the most common solution for homeowners who need quick cash but rising interest rates have increased the costs dramatically.

The interest rate on a HELOC is tied to the lender’s prime lending rate, which is tied to the Bank of Canada benchmark rate. With more central bank rate increases on the horizon, the interest rate on a typical HELOC has risen to about five per cent from under two per cent in less than a year.

Reverse mortgage rates are tied to conventional fixed mortgage rates, which are also rising dramatically. The fixed rates on reverse mortgages are currently around seven per cent.

If you repay the balance on the line of credit quickly, the interest cost is capped. If financing is a chronic problem, the best course of action from a tax perspective could be to sell the house. There is no capital gains tax on the sale of a principal residence.

RRSP: THE LAST RESORT

Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) withdraws are fully taxable according to your marginal income tax rate in the year of the withdrawal (unless borrowed for a fixed term for a down payment on a first home or continuing education).

If you are generating a full-time income from work, you will be taxed at a higher marginal rate than if your income is low.

If you have suffered a loss or drop in income, an RRSP withdrawal could make sense. If you are under 65 years old, a withholding tax will likely be imposed based on the size of the withdrawal. Any amount above the amount you actually owe will be refunded.

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite down more than 200 points, U.S. stock markets also fall

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was down more than 200 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology, base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets also fell.

The S&P/TSX composite index was down 239.24 points at 22,749.04.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 312.36 points at 40,443.39. The S&P 500 index was down 80.94 points at 5,422.47, while the Nasdaq composite was down 380.17 points at 16,747.49.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.80 cents US compared with 74.00 cents US on Thursday.

The October crude oil contract was down US$1.07 at US$68.08 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.26 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was down US$2.10 at US$2,541.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was down four cents at US$4.10 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite up more than 150 points, U.S. stock markets also higher

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in technology, financial and energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also pushed higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 171.41 points at 23,298.39.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 278.37 points at 41,369.79. The S&P 500 index was up 38.17 points at 5,630.35, while the Nasdaq composite was up 177.15 points at 17,733.18.

The Canadian dollar traded for 74.19 cents US compared with 74.23 cents US on Wednesday.

The October crude oil contract was up US$1.75 at US$76.27 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.10 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$18.70 at US$2,556.50 an ounce and the December copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.22 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Investment

Crypto Market Bloodbath Amid Broader Economic Concerns

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Breaking Business News Canada

The crypto market has recently experienced a significant downturn, mirroring broader risk asset sell-offs. Over the past week, Bitcoin’s price dropped by 24%, reaching $53,000, while Ethereum plummeted nearly a third to $2,340. Major altcoins also suffered, with Cardano down 27.7%, Solana 36.2%, Dogecoin 34.6%, XRP 23.1%, Shiba Inu 30.1%, and BNB 25.7%.

The severe downturn in the crypto market appears to be part of a broader flight to safety, triggered by disappointing economic data. A worse-than-expected unemployment report on Friday marked the beginning of a technical recession, as defined by the Sahm Rule. This rule identifies a recession when the three-month average unemployment rate rises by at least half a percentage point from its lowest point in the past year.

Friday’s figures met this threshold, signaling an abrupt economic downshift. Consequently, investors sought safer assets, leading to declines in major stock indices: the S&P 500 dropped 2%, the Nasdaq 2.5%, and the Dow 1.5%. This trend continued into Monday with further sell-offs overseas.

The crypto market’s rapid decline raises questions about its role as either a speculative asset or a hedge against inflation and recession. Despite hopes that crypto could act as a risk hedge, the recent crash suggests it remains a speculative investment.

Since the downturn, the crypto market has seen its largest three-day sell-off in nearly a year, losing over $500 billion in market value. According to CoinGlass data, this bloodbath wiped out more than $1 billion in leveraged positions within the last 24 hours, including $365 million in Bitcoin and $348 million in Ether.

Khushboo Khullar of Lightning Ventures, speaking to Bloomberg, argued that the crypto sell-off is part of a broader liquidity panic as traders rush to cover margin calls. Khullar views this as a temporary sell-off, presenting a potential buying opportunity.

Josh Gilbert, an eToro market analyst, supports Khullar’s perspective, suggesting that the expected Federal Reserve rate cuts could benefit crypto assets. “Crypto assets have sold off, but many investors will see an opportunity. We see Federal Reserve rate cuts, which are now likely to come sharper than expected, as hugely positive for crypto assets,” Gilbert told Coindesk.

Despite the recent volatility, crypto continues to make strides toward mainstream acceptance. Notably, Morgan Stanley will allow its advisors to offer Bitcoin ETFs starting Wednesday. This follows more than half a year after the introduction of the first Bitcoin ETF. The investment bank will enable over 15,000 of its financial advisors to sell BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC. This move is seen as a significant step toward the “mainstreamization” of crypto, given the lengthy regulatory and company processes in major investment banks.

The recent crypto market downturn highlights its volatility and the broader economic concerns affecting all risk assets. While some analysts see the current situation as a temporary sell-off and a buying opportunity, others caution against the speculative nature of crypto. As the market evolves, its role as a mainstream alternative asset continues to grow, marked by increasing institutional acceptance and new investment opportunities.

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