Investing $69,500 in This 1 Stock Can Produce $5,700 in Tax-Free Dividends by Next Christmas

True North Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:TNT.UN) could be a key stock in helping you grow your TFSA over the years.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

There’s nothing better than cold-hard cash for Christmas, and investing in dividend stocks is a great way to ensure you earn a lot of it. A great place to put those dividend stocks is in your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) where the dividend income can be safely stored away from the tax man.

In 2020, the contribution limit for a TFSA will rise by $6,000 and if you’ve been eligible every year and haven’t contributed yet, the total room you will have available will be $69,500.

That’s a lot of money that you could potentially invest without having to worry about taxes.

A top REIT that could help grow that money significantly

One way that you can maximize your dividend income is to invest in a real estate investment trust (REIT) that generates a lot of recurring income.

True North Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:TNT.UN) is an attractive REIT that can be a solid fit for your portfolio. Currently yielding a dividend of 8.2% per year, investors can earn a lot of money from holding the stock today. Investing the full $69,500 into True North will generate approximately $5,700 worth of dividend income within just one year. And all that cash will be tax-free that you will have available this time next year. It could make for a great Christmas gift for yourself.

While a yield that high typically come with a lot of risk, True North maybe one of the safer high-yielding stocks out there. The REIT has government tenants at many of its locations and for that reason offers a lot more safety and stability for its shareholders. Averaging a beta of 0.78, True North doesn’t come with a lot of volatility, which means that the market’s swings haven’t had a big impact on the stock’s performance in recent years.

In five years, the TSX has risen by around 17% while True North has grown by more than 20% over the same period. True North’s stock isn’t going to generate significant capital gains for you, but it can be a reliable way to mirror and perhaps even slightly outperform the TSX. With the stock’s high dividend to add on top of that, investors could earn a lot of income in their TFSAs.

Why the dividend looks safe today

For investors who are still concerned about the health of the stock’s payouts, a quick look at the statement of cash flow should offer a reminder as to why True North is still in very good shape. Over the trailing 12 months, the company has generated more than $56 million in free cash flow. That’s well in excess of the $29 million in dividends that it’s paid out during the same period. It has also reported earnings per share of $0.61 as well, which is slightly above the $0.594 that the company pays out in dividends per share every year.

There aren’t any big red flags that should have investors worried about True North’s stock today as it has been generating lots of good free cash to support its dividend and with a strong, stable base of customers, it could be a solid investment to hold for many years.

Should you invest $1,000 in CGI Group right now?

Before you buy stock in CGI Group, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and CGI Group wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $21,058.57!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 38 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 2/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

a person watches a downward arrow crash through the floor
Dividend Stocks

Buy the Dip: 3 TSX Stocks Trading at Bargain Prices Today

These three TSX stocks might be near 52-week lows, but don't let that stop you from making a long-term investment.

Read more »

Caution, careful
Dividend Stocks

Sell-Off Alert: Why These TSX Blue-Chip Stocks Look Undervalued Now

These TSX stocks look mighty valuable right now, and come with outlooks that make each prime for the picking.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Want a 6% Yield? 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX stocks offer yield of over 6% and are well-positioned to sustain their payouts and maintain consistent dividend payments.

Read more »

clock time
Dividend Stocks

10 Years From Now, You’ll Be Glad You Bought These Magnificent TSX Dividend Stocks 

A decade from now, these 2 dividend stocks could give you strong returns through dividends or capital appreciation, or both.

Read more »

Silver coins fall into a piggy bank.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: 3 Top-Tier TSX Stocks for That $7,000 Contribution

The market is full of great long-term stock to fuel your TFSA. Here’s a look at three top-tier TSX stocks…

Read more »

A plant grows from coins.
Dividend Stocks

3 Top Growth Stocks to Buy for March

These three growth stocks might be excellent holdings to add to your self-directed portfolio this month.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Sell-Off Opportunity: Why This Beaten-Down Canadian Stock Could Rebound

Nutrien stock might be down now, but long-term investors will certainly reap some major rewards.

Read more »

man in suit looks at a computer with an anxious expression
Dividend Stocks

U.S. Stock Market Correction: Here’s Where We Stand

U.S. stocks are pricey. Canadian stocks like Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (TSX:ATD) are less pricey.

Read more »