Calculate your total 2026 tax bill as a Canadian freelancer or contractor — including double CPP, income tax, all deductions, quarterly installments, and GST/HST obligations.
⚠️
Self-employed Canadians face unique tax obligations most people don't realize
When you're self-employed, you pay both sides of CPP (employee + employer = ~11.9% of net income), no EI deductions are made, and you must pay taxes in quarterly installments instead of having them withheld from a paycheque. Many freelancers are caught off guard — this calculator shows you the full picture.
💼 Your Business Income
📊 Income & Location
$
Total invoiced / earned before any expenses
$
If you also have a part-time job alongside your business
$
Deducted from taxable income — great tax strategy for self-employed
🧾 Business Deductions
Enter your estimated annual business expenses. These reduce your taxable income — only include legitimate business expenses. When in doubt, consult your accountant.
Proportional share of rent/mortgage, utilities, internet · CRA allows % of home used for business
$
Business use % of car insurance, gas, maintenance, depreciation (or mileage log)
$
Business-use portion of your phone plan and internet
Website, social media ads, business cards, promotions
$
Accountant, lawyer, business banking fees
$
Liability, errors & omissions, business property insurance
$
Payments to other self-employed individuals for your business
$
CRA allows 50% of business meals & entertainment · Enter the full amount
$
Any other legitimate business expenses not listed above
$
📊 Total Business Deductions$0
💰 Your Annual Take-Home Income
$0
After income tax, CPP, and all deductions
Gross Revenue
$0
Net Business Income
$0
Total Tax + CPP
$0
Effective Rate
0%
Net Business Income
$0
After business deductions
Federal + Provincial Tax
$0
Income tax only
CPP Contributions
$0
Both employee + employer
Total Tax + CPP
$0
Everything owed to CRA
Take-Home Pay
$0
What you actually keep
Marginal Tax Rate
0%
Rate on your next dollar
Set Aside Weekly
$0
Every week from revenue
Set Aside Monthly
$0
Every month from revenue
Quarterly Installment
$0
Due Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec 15
📅 2026 Quarterly Tax Installment Schedule
If your net tax owing exceeds $3,000 ($1,800 in QC), CRA requires quarterly installments. Missing installments triggers interest charges.
Q1 Installment
March 15, 2026
$0
Q2 Installment
June 15, 2026
$0
Q3 Installment
September 15, 2026
$0
Q4 Installment
December 15, 2026
$0
⚠️ Tax filing deadline: Self-employed individuals have until June 15 to file their T1 return (vs. April 30 for employees). However, any taxes owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.
🏛️ CPP Contributions Breakdown (2026)
Net Self-Employment Income$0
CPP Basic Exemption−$3,500
Maximum Pensionable Earnings$73,200
Pensionable Earnings$0
Employee CPP Rate (5.95%)$0
Employer CPP Rate (5.95%) — you pay this too$0
CPP2 (additional contribution)$0
Total CPP Owing$0
💡 The employer portion (5.95%) is deductible as a business expense on your T1 — reducing your net income by half the CPP amount.
📊 Where Your Revenue Goes
🧾 Deduction Summary
⚠️
GST/HST Registration Required
Loading...
💡 Self-Employment Tax Tips for Canadians
💰 Max Your RRSP First
Self-employed Canadians have no workplace pension. Your RRSP contribution is 18% of prior year net income. Maxing it reduces taxable income significantly — often saving 40%+ in combined tax and CPP.
🏦 Open a Separate Business Account
Keep business and personal finances completely separate. This makes deduction tracking cleaner, makes CRA audits easier to survive, and forces you to treat your business professionally.
📋 Track Every Receipt
CRA can audit up to 6 years back. Keep all business receipts (digital is fine) and a mileage log if claiming vehicle expenses. The Canada Revenue Agency requires documentation for every deduction.
🏢 Incorporate When It Makes Sense
Once your net income consistently exceeds ~$100,000, incorporation often saves significant tax. The small business corporate tax rate (9% federal) is much lower than personal rates. Consult a CPA.