You work hard to earn your money and in turn you want to see as much of it as possible work for you.

Building your wealth requires a careful look at your overall financial picture, particularly your own personal circumstances and the tax implications of your investments. By structuring the right mix of investments for your portfolio, you can pay less tax and ensure that you are receiving optimal returns.

The first step towards developing an effective investment plan is knowing how much tax you pay in total, and how much tax you pay on each type of income you receive. It may seem obvious, but many Canadians aren't sure what their marginal tax rate is.

It is important to consult with a professional tax advisor for tax planning guidance. He or she will take your personal circumstances into account in determining appropriate recommendations. From there, you and your ScotiaMcLeod advisor can develop a tax-effective investment strategy.

To get you started, we offer our Practical Perspectives on Tax Planning Handbook, which is designed to show you how much tax you are paying and to give you tips on how to reduce that amount. The handbook covers topics such as the taxation of investment income, borrowing to invest, income splitting, tax and retirement planning, investment products with tax advantages and U.S. investments.

For more information on tax planning or to request our Financial Planning series of educational handbooks, please contact a ScotiaMcLeod advisor.

The information contained on this website is for use by persons resident in Canada only.