TFSA Investors: How to Earn $170/Month in Passive Income

Here is how you could use dividend investing to get the best returns out of TFSA investing.

| 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

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a gift that keeps on giving, provided that you know how to make the best use of this tax-advantaged account. Approaching TFSA investing by allocating a portion of your total contribution room to income-generating assets can help you create a reliable monthly stream of tax-free passive income.

The cumulative TFSA contribution room after the 2022 update has increased to $81,500, if you have been eligible to invest in a TFSA since the account’s inception in 2009, and you have not used any of your contribution room.

In this hypothetical scenario, you would have plenty of room to build a diversified portfolio of the top dividend stocks to generate steady and tax-free passive income without worrying about moving to a higher tax bracket.

Today, I will discuss two TSX stocks that you could use to boost your monthly income with tax-free shareholder dividends.

Enbridge

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) is a $105.93 billion market capitalization giant in the Canadian energy industry. The company boasts an extensive pipeline network responsible for transporting a significant portion of all the crude oil and natural gas consumed in Canada and the U.S., playing a crucial role in the economy.

The energy sector saw a surging demand in 2021, driving the prices of several energy stocks on the TSX higher. Enbridge managed to do well amid the pandemic through its natural gas transmission and gas distribution business. The energy sector’s growth last year further boosted its cash flows, allowing the company to provide more significant shareholder returns.

At writing, Enbridge stock is trading for $52.28 per share, and it boasts a juicy 6.58% dividend yield. Investing a hypothetical $20,000 in Enbridge stock could help you earn $1,316 per year through shareholder dividends alone, translating to $109 per month.

Fortis

Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) is a no-brainer stock for income-seeking investors. Fortis is a $27.59 billion market capitalization utility holdings company. It operates several regulated utility businesses across Canada, the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean. The company relies on highly rate-regulated assets to generate almost its entire revenues, virtually guaranteeing predictable cash flows.

Fortis can use its predictable cash flows to fund its rising shareholder dividends. Fortis is a Canadian Dividend Aristocrat with a 48-year dividend growth streak. At writing, Fortis stock is trading for $58.33 per share, and it boasts a 3.67% dividend yield. Investing a hypothetical $20,000 in Fortis stock could help you earn $734 per year through shareholder dividends, translating to $61 per month.

Foolish takeaway

If you have the contribution room to spare in your TFSA and you can invest $20,000 in Enbridge stock and Fortis stock each, you could earn $170 per month through shareholder dividends alone. Of course, this is a hypothetical scenario. Ideally, you should diversify your investment capital across several reliable dividend stocks to generate safer returns. Dividends are never guaranteed.

Should you invest $1,000 in Enbridge right now?

Before you buy stock in Enbridge, 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 Enbridge 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 $21,345.77!*

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 24 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 4/21/25

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 Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge and FORTIS INC.

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

sale discount best price
Dividend Stocks

This Monthly Dividend Stock at $53 Is Too Cheap to Ignore

There are plenty of great dividend stocks on the market to consider buying, but this monthly gem is just too…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian ETFs $1,000 Can Buy on the TSX Today

If you're looking for ETFs that can turn $1,000 into strong cash flow, then these are the ones I'd go…

Read more »

Silver coins fall into a piggy bank.
Dividend Stocks

Where I’d Invest my TFSA Savings in the TSX Today

If you want the stability of defence with the growth from tech, this is the ideal stock.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Invest $7,000 in My TFSA to Earn $50 in Monthly Income

High-yield stocks like Freehold Royalties, which is yielding more than 9%, are prime candidates for your TFSA.

Read more »

dividend growth for passive income
Dividend Stocks

4 Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 20 Years

These dividend stocks can certainly stand the test of time, and have already done so for many investors.

Read more »

Stethoscope with dollar shaped cord
Dividend Stocks

I’d Put My Entire $7,000 TFSA Into This Single Dividend Stock

TFSA investors can consider putting their $7,000 limit into a top-performing TSX stock in 2025.

Read more »

Happy golf player walks the course
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Turn $5,000 Into a Passive Income Stream This Year

These two high yield TSX stocks offer secured payouts, making them top bets to start building a passive income portfolio…

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

2 Oversold TSX Dividend Stocks to Watch in 2025

These industry leaders have great track records of dividend growth.

Read more »