💵 Canada Income Tax Calculator

Canada's tax system combines federal and provincial taxes. Federal brackets for 2025: 15% on first $55,867; 20.5% on $55,867-$111,733; 26% on $111,733-$173,205; 29% on $173,205-$246,752; 33% over $246,752. The Basic Personal Amount (BPA) of $15,705 means the first $15,705 earned is federally tax-free.

Provincial rates vary significantly: Ontario ranges 5.05-13.16% across five brackets with top combined rate 53.53%. BC uses 5.06-20.5% rates with 53.5% combined top rate. Alberta has Canada's lowest provincial rates (10-15%) resulting in 48% combined top rate. Quebec operates a separate system with 14-25.75% rates but provides federal abatement. Understanding your combined marginal rate is crucial for tax planning - if you're in the 26% federal bracket and 11.16% Ontario bracket, your marginal rate is 37.16%, meaning each additional dollar earned is taxed at this rate.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP): Employees and employers each contribute 5.95% on earnings between $3,500 (basic exemption) and $68,500 (YMPE) for 2025, maximum $3,867.50 per person. Self-employed pay both portions (11.9%) totaling $7,735 but can deduct the employer portion. CPP provides retirement pension averaging $8,500 annually, with maximum benefits around $15,600 for maximum contributors.

Employment Insurance (EI): Employees contribute 1.63% on earnings up to $63,200, maximum $1,030 annually. Employers pay 1.4 times employee premiums. EI provides temporary income during unemployment, parental leave, sickness, and caregiving. Quebec operates separate QPIP with employee rate 0.494%, maximum $380, but offers broader parental benefits.

Registered Retirement Savings Plans provide immediate tax relief. Your RRSP deduction limit is 18% of previous year's earned income up to $31,560 (2025 maximum), minus pension adjustments, plus unused room carried forward. Contributing $15,000 at 30% marginal rate saves $4,500 immediately, plus decades of tax-deferred growth.

Optimal strategy: Maximize contributions when in high brackets (over 30% marginal). If currently low-income, prioritize TFSA instead - RRSP deductions provide minimal benefit at 20% bracket or below. The Home Buyers' Plan allows withdrawing up to $35,000 from RRSPs tax-free for first home down payment (must repay over 15 years). Contribute by March 1, 2025 for 2024 tax year deduction, providing immediate refund benefit.

Deductions reduce taxable income: Childcare expenses ($8,000 per child under 7, $5,000 per child 7-16), moving expenses (if relocating 40+ km closer to work/school), union/professional dues (fully deductible), and carrying charges/interest expenses. Value proportionate to marginal rate - $10,000 deduction at 40% rate saves $4,000.

Credits reduce tax owing: Medical expenses (amount exceeding lesser of 3% net income or $2,759), charitable donations (15% federal on first $200, 29% on excess), Canada Workers Benefit (maximum $1,518 singles, $2,616 families), and Canada Child Benefit (maximum $7,437 per child under 6, $6,275 ages 6-17). Credits worth 15% federally (basic rate) plus provincial portion. Strategic timing of donations and medical expenses can maximize benefits.

File by April 30 annually (June 15 for self-employed, though payment still due April 30). Late filing incurs 5% penalty plus 1% monthly on balance owing. File even with no income to build RRSP room, qualify for GST/HST credit and climate incentive payments, and establish income for Canada Child Benefit.

Provincial differences matter: Someone earning $100,000 pays approximately $24,000 combined tax in Ontario, $22,500 in Alberta, $24,200 in BC, $28,000 in Quebec. Over 30-year career, an Albertan saves $150,000+ versus Quebecois at $100,000 salary. However, tax rates alone don't determine outcomes - Quebec offers $8/day childcare versus $50+ elsewhere, BC provides climate rebates, and Alberta lacks provincial sales tax (5% GST versus 13-15% HST elsewhere). Use this calculator to estimate your specific situation across provinces when considering relocation or comparing job offers.