Hannah Logan
Clay Jarvis
Beth Buczynski 
Guaranteed investment certificates, or GICs, are an investment product that can be a good fit for people who are saving for short-term goals or are reluctant to invest in stocks. They can be particularly attractive when the stock market is trending downward or interest rates are on the rise, as they have been for much of 2022.
But the interest earned on GICs can be heavily taxed depending on the type of account they’re held in. To avoid paying taxes on any interest earned, consider holding your GICs in a tax-free savings account.
TFSAs vs. GICs
A TFSA is a government-registered account that allows you to invest the money you save in it without having to pay taxes on any gains. Any Canadian resident who is over the age of 18 and has a social insurance number, or SIN, is eligible to open a TFSA.
With a GIC, you deposit funds for a set amount of time (the term) and earn interest for keeping the money locked in. Once the term is up, you regain access to your original investment plus any interest earned. With a typical GIC, earned interest is subject to both federal income tax and provincial taxes.
How to hold a GIC in a TFSA
A GIC can be held in both registered and non-registered accounts, but only by holding your GIC in a registered account, like a TFSA, can you avoid paying taxes on the interest it earns.
You can purchase a TFSA GIC at any financial institution that offers these products, including traditional banks, credit unions, and online-only banks.
You’ll make a deposit (which counts toward your annual TFSA contribution limit), choose the term, and then leave your money to mature. Since a TFSA is a registered account, it benefits from tax sheltering so you do not need to pay taxes on the interest you earn, even when you eventually withdraw it.
Typical GIC rules apply, which means that you must let the GIC mature to get the full payout. If you withdraw your money early, you may be penalized. However, since there are no rules about when and how you can withdraw money from your TFSA, you can withdraw money from a mature GIC and spend it as you please— or reinvest it in a new TFSA GIC.
At many financial institutions, your TFSA GIC options include cashable, redeemable, or non-redeemable GICs. Cashable and redeemable GICs are more liquid options.
- A cashable GIC has a short 30- to 90-day locked-in period during which you can’t access your funds, but after it ends, you can withdraw the money anytime and still earn full interest for the time you held the GIC.
- A redeemable GIC has no locked-in period.You can cash out at any time, but you’ll receive the early-redemption interest rate, which will be lower than the rate you’d earn by keeping the GIC for its full term.
Pros and cons of a TFSA GIC
A TFSA GIC is one way to maximize your investment. However, there are pros and cons to be aware of before stashing your money in a GIC.
Pros
- TFSAs are tax-free. You won’t pay tax on any interest earned on your GIC in a TFSA. This can be particularly valuable when interest rates — and GIC returns — are rising.
- GICs are low-risk investments because your principal is guaranteed.
- They’re suitable for long- or short-term investments.
- Funds can be withdrawn or reinvested as soon as the GIC matures.
Cons
- Lower earning potential compared to other investment options.
- TFSAs come with contribution limits and age restrictions.
- If you choose a non-redeemable GIC, your money is locked in for the full term.
Frequently asked questions about TFSA GICs
TFSAs and GICs are very different things. A GIC is an investment that pays a modest, fixed interest rate, while a TFSA is an account that can hold multiple investments. A GIC might pay a higher interest rate than a TFSA, but a TFSA can hold assets like stocks and real estate, which can appreciate quickly depending on the state of the economy.
If you’re going to invest in a GIC, doing so through your TFSA will save you from having to pay tax on the interest earned. Just remember to keep your TFSA contribution limits and GIC terms and conditions in mind so you can get the most out of your investment and avoid paying any penalties.
About the Authors
Best Short-Term GIC Rates in Canada for 2023
Use a short-term GIC to earn interest on your savings and keep a strategic distance between yourself and that hard-earned cash.
What Is a Market-Linked GIC?
Market-linked GICs are considered the least predictable type of guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), but they can also be the most lucrative. Market-linked GICs are kind of a hybrid investment. You get the security of a traditional GIC but the interest rate is based on the performance of an index fund, like the S&P/TSX. All GICs […]
Best Tax-Free Savings Account Rates in Canada for 2023
The best high-interest tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) have minimal fees and earn high rates of interest
How to Invest in a TFSA
A TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) is a valuable investment tool for Canadians. Once you understand the rules, you can incorporate a TFSA into your financial plan in various ways that accelerate growth and avoid taxes. What is a TFSA? A TFSA allows you to save and invest after-tax dollars, which grow and compounds in interest […]
Nora Dunn