Middle-ground: partial salary plus dividends

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Are dividends really more tax-efficient for business owners—or is that advice costing you hundreds of thousands over time?

If you're an incorporated Canadian business owner, you've likely heard the age-old advice: “Just take dividends—it’s simpler and saves tax.” But what if that oversimplified strategy is quietly undermining your long-term wealth? In this episode, Jon and Kyle unpack the real math behind salary vs. dividends, revealing how your compensation choices ripple through CPP contributions, RRSP room, investment opportunities, and future flexibility. Whether your business is just starting out or generating strong retained earnings, understanding these trade-offs is crucial to building sustainable wealth.

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why dividends don’t always save tax—and when they can actually hurt your long-term growth
• How to use salary strategically to open up RRSP room and diversify beyond your business
• A clear, math-based breakdown of which approach works best at different income and retained earnings levels

Press play now to finally take the guesswork out of how you pay yourself—and make smarter, wealth-building decisions as an incorporated business owner.

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Canadian Wealth Secrets Show Notes Page:

Consider reaching out to Kyle

• …taking a salary with a goal of stuffing RRSPs;
• …investing inside your

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If you listen to podcasts like The Rational Reminder with Ben Felix & Cameron Passmore, The Canadian Investor, The Canadian Real Estate Investor, Build Wealth Canada with Kornel Szrejber, ChooseFI with Jonathan Mendonsa & Brad Barrett, Afford Anything with Paula Pant, The Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey, BiggerPockets Money, The Money Guy Show with Brian Preston & Bo Hanson, Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Masters in Business with Barry Ritholtz, The Wealthy Barber Podcast with David Chilton, Financial Audit with Caleb Hammer, In the Money with Amber Kanwar, The Loonie Hour with Steve Saretsky, or More Money Podcast with Jessica Moorhouse — we’re confident you’ll enjoy Canadian Wealth Secrets too.

Canadian Wealth Secrets is an informative podcast that digs into the intricacies of building a robust portfolio, maximizing dividend returns, the nuances of real estate investment, and the complexities of business finance, while offering expert advice on wealth management, navigating capital gains tax, and understanding the role of financial institutions in personal finance.