5 year-end tax tips

Canadians only have about a month to take advantage of year-end tax savings.

“There are a number of easy ways for Canadians to reduce taxes that they might otherwise owe, but in many cases you need to act before December 31,” says CIBC’s tax and estate planning expert, Jamie Golombek.

Read: TFSA contribution limit increased to $5,500

Here are five of the most overlooked strategies.

1. Donate to your favourite charity

December 31 is the last day to make a donation and obtain a tax receipt for 2012. Many charities offer the ability to donate online, with electronic tax receipts that are generated and emailed to you instantly. For example, if your total 2012 donations exceed $200, each additional $100 donation in 2012 can get you up to $100 back, depending on your province of residence.

Read: Charity on rise: BMO

2. Contribute to an RESP for your child or grandchild

The federal government provides a Canada Education Savings Grant of 20% on the first $2,500 of annual RESP contributions per child, which can add up to $7,200 to an RESP during a child’s lifetime. If you haven’t maximized RESP contributions for your children or grandchildren, you can make an enhanced contribution in 2012.

Read: Investors fear higher taxes

If your child turned 15 in 2012 and has never been an RESP beneficiary, December 31, 2012 is your last chance to contribute to an RESP to create CESG eligibility. For example, by contributing $2,500 to an RESP, you could get $500 of CESGs added to the RESP account, usually by the following month.

3. Pay expenses

Claiming expenses, such as interest on money borrowed for investing or student loans, daycare fees and children’s fitness or arts fees, can all provide benefits at tax time. But you must pay these expenses by the end of the year to realize the tax savings for 2012. For example, paying $500 for your children’s winter swimming lessons before year-end could mean up to $75 in reduced taxes.

4. Review your investments

It’s a good time to review the types of investments you hold, and the accounts in which you hold them. Investments yielding highly-taxed interest income may be best-suited to RRSPs or TFSAs, while Canadian equities, which can generate favourably-taxed dividends and capital gains, may be more suited to non-registered accounts. If you are planning a TFSA withdrawal in early 2013, consider withdrawing the funds by December 31 instead, so you don’t have to wait until 2014 to be able to re-contribute that amount.

Read: 4 ways to save cross-border tax

5. Prepare for retirement

There are a number of tax considerations for those just entering into their retirement years:

• If you turned 65 in 2012 and have not yet applied for OAS, remember that retroactive benefits, which can be worth over $6,500, can only be claimed within a limited time. To receive those benefits, you should apply as soon as possible.
• If you turned 71 in 2012, you have until December 31 to make any final contributions to your RRSP and convert it into a RRIF or registered annuity.

Read: OAS deferral strategies