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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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CRA 2025: New TFSA Limits, Adjusted Tax Brackets, and More!

 

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced several key updates for 2025 that will impact taxpayers across the country. Here's a brief overview of the most notable changes:


New TFSA Limits

Starting January 1, 2025, Canadians will be able to contribute an additional $7,000 to their Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), bringing the total contribution room to $102,000 for those who have maximized their contributions since the program's inception in 2009. This increase is indexed to inflation and aims to provide more flexibility for savings and investment.


Adjusted Tax Brackets

In response to inflation, the CRA has adjusted the federal tax brackets for 2025. The new brackets are as follows:

  • 0 to $57,375: 15%
  • $57,375 to $114,750: 20.5%
  • $114,750 to $177,882: 26%
  • $177,882 to $253,414: 29%
  • Above $253,414: 33%

These adjustments are designed to ensure that taxpayers are not pushed into higher tax brackets solely due to inflation.


Other Updates

  • The basic personal amount (BPA) has been increased to $16,129, allowing individuals to earn this amount without paying federal income tax.
  • The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits will see a 2.7% inflation adjustment, providing a slight increase in payments.

These changes reflect the CRA's ongoing efforts to adapt to economic conditions and support Canadians in managing their finances effectively.




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