i keep basically everything in a combination of RRSP and TFSA, neither are maxed.

but it occurs to me that perhaps i should hold some international (even canadian) dividend payers in a non-registered account. aside from actually being able to use the money (i know you can withdraw from TFSA) if necessary, how would taxes affect how much after-tax money i actually get?

in a non reg account, i'd pay tax on dividends at the dividend rate, plus withholding tax, right? is this better than having it in an RRSP (unless retirement income is low)?

or should i try to put everything i'd put into a non-reg account into the TFSA until it's maxed, then look into non reg. how is witholding tax calculated, where can i get official info about it?

thanks!