David, I've been reading your newsletters for a few months now, and have found them very useful. My question is: My husband and I are American citizens who have been living in Vancouver BC on study permits. We intend to stay on work permits, and apply for permanent residency when we've acquired enough full time work experience. Now that we have jobs, we'd like to start saving as much as possible, and are planning on beginning to contribute to our RRSPs. Is there a downside to this we're not thinking of? Is there something else we should be doing instead of or in addition to our RRSPs? Thanks, ------------------------------------ david ingram replies: The most you can put into an RRSP as a deduction for 2006 (as an example) is approximately 18% of any earned income you reported to the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) in 2005. If you had no income in 2005 for Canadian tax purposes, you can NOT put anything in for 2006. Stretching the limits to buy a house or condo would have made more sense than anything else in the last five years but I do not think so now for three to five more years. If you do contribute to RRSP accounts, when you do go to buy your residence, you can use up to $20,000 each of the RRSP money to . as a tax deferred down payment or even to buy furniture if you buy a new place. Attending Fred Snyder's free Thursday night seminars is likely a good idea since you are living in Vancouver. ---------------- Every Thursday Evening, Fred Snyder of Dundee Wealth Management conducts one of 17 different financial seminars in the boardroom of his office Time: 7:00 to 9:30 PM Date: Every Thursday evening Place 1764 West Seventh Vancouver (corner of Burrard) Phone (604) 731-8900 to register No cost - no obligation Topics always cover mortgage interest as a deduction other topics - getting the mortgage, estate planning, critical care insurance, income taxation, differences between stocks and bonds, and usually the most innovative HELOC mortgage offered in Canada from Manulife Bank If you are starting in downtown Vancouver and do not want to go home first, one of the excellent THAI HOUSE restaurants is in the same building and makes a nice start to the evening. If it is your first seminar, Fred will buy you dinner if you are pre-registered. And, if you are on Vancouver Island, Fred's Associate Ralph Hahmann conducts free Tuesday night seminars - call him at 250 472-0700 or look him up at www.investwithfunds.com You can also hear Ralph and Fred on CKBD radio as follows: Answers to this and other similar questions can be obtained free on Air by david ingram on the last Sunday of each month. On the last Sunday at 9:00 AM on 600AM in Vancouver, I, david ingram will be a guest on Fred Snyder of Dundee Wealth Managers' LIVE talk show called "ITS YOUR MONEY" Those outside of the Lower Mainland will be able to listen on the internet at www.600AM.com Call (604) 280-0600 to have your question answered. BC listeners can also call 1-866-778-0600. Callers to the show and questioners on this board can also attend the Thursday Night seminars on finance and making your Canadian Mortgage Interest deductible. ------------------------------ David Ingram's US / Canada Services US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists US / Canada Real Estate Specialists My Home office is at: 4466 Prospect Road North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7 Cell (604) 657-8451 - (604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325 Calls welcomed from 10 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week Vancouver (LA) time - (please do not fax or phone outside of those hours as this is a home office) email to taxman at centa.com www.centa.com www.david-ingram.com Disclaimer: This question has been answered without detailed information or consultation and is to be regarded only as general comment. Nothing in this message is or should be construed as advice in any particular circumstances. No contract exists between the reader and the author and any and all non-contractual duties are expressly denied. All readers should obtain formal advice from a competent and appropriately qualified legal practitioner or tax specialist for expert help, assistance, preparation, or consultation in connection with personal or business affairs such as at www.centa.com. If you forward this message, this disclaimer must be included." 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