Tax-aware guidance
Tax-efficient retirement and savings strategies for Ontario
Keep more of what you’ve worked for by using RRSPs, TFSAs, RRIFs and other tools thoughtfully, coordinated with your accountant.
Overview
It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep
Taxes are one of the largest expenses most Canadians will face over a lifetime. Small, thoughtful decisions about which accounts to use, when to draw income and how to share it within a family can make a meaningful difference over decades.
I help you understand how different accounts are taxed and how the pieces fit together, then work alongside your accountant so that your savings, retirement income and estate strategy pull in the same direction.
I don’t provide tax or legal advice, and I always encourage clients to confirm specific tax decisions with a qualified accountant. My role is to help you see the bigger picture and ask the right questions.
What we look at together
Smart use of the tools available
RRSP and TFSA choices
Which account to use first, and why.
Retirement income order
Drawing from RRIFs, TFSAs and other savings in a sensible sequence.
Income splitting
Pension income splitting and spousal strategies, where the rules allow.
Benefit timing
How CPP and OAS timing interacts with your taxes, including the OAS recovery tax.
Charitable giving
Giving generously in ways that are also tax-aware.
Business owner considerations
Coordinating corporate and personal savings with your accountant.
Where this fits
Levels 3 & 4 · Growth and legacy
Tax-awareness runs through growth and legacy: how you save, how you draw income and how your estate will be taxed all affect what you’re ultimately able to steward and pass on.
Who this is for
Helpful if you…
- Are a higher-income professional or incorporated business owner
- Are approaching retirement with savings in several accounts
- Want to understand the OAS recovery tax
- Are thinking about giving or estate taxes
- Want your advisor and accountant working together
Further reading
Questions people often ask
Are TFSA withdrawals taxable?
No. Withdrawals from a Tax-Free Savings Account are not taxable, and the amount withdrawn is added back to your contribution room at the start of the following calendar year.
What is pension income splitting?
Canadians can allocate up to half of eligible pension income to a spouse or common-law partner on their tax returns. Eligibility depends on the type of income and, in some cases, age. Your accountant can confirm what applies to you.
Do you prepare tax returns?
No. I focus on guidance and coordination, and I work alongside your accountant, who prepares your returns and provides tax advice.
Does where I hold investments matter?
Often it does. Different types of investment income are taxed differently, so the account you hold them in can matter. We’ll look at this as part of your overall picture.
Steward Well Advisory does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult a qualified accountant or lawyer about your specific situation.
Let’s talk
Let’s start with a conversation
An unhurried, no-obligation conversation about where you are, where you’d like to go, and whether we’re a good fit. No pressure, just clarity.
Call: 226-739-9511Email: [email protected]
