What do Canadian trades actually owe in tax?
Free 2026 tax calculators built for self-employed contractors — not generic freelancers. Federal tax and CPP are the same across the country; your provincial tax isn't. Pick your province to get the real number.
Every figure is for the 2026 tax year, sourced to the CRA or the province, and verified 2026-08-02. How the numbers are checked →
- British Columbia contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WorkSafeBC, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Alberta contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WCB-Alberta, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Saskatchewan contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WCB Saskatchewan, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Manitoba contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WCB Manitoba, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Ontario contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WSIB, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- New Brunswick contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WorkSafeNB, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Nova Scotia contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WCB Nova Scotia, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Prince Edward Island contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WCB Prince Edward Island, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Newfoundland & Labrador contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and WorkplaceNL, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Yukon contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Northwest Territories contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
- Nunavut contractor tax calculatorIncome tax, CPP and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), with the write-offs a generic tool misses.
Going out on your own — what should you charge? Most trades price off their old wage and quietly go broke. Our rate calculator runs the tax backwards: tell it the take-home you want, it tells you the hourly rate to charge after tax, CPP, unpaid hours and overhead.
Work out your rate →The same everywhere in Canada
Some of this doesn't change by province — it's federal. These guides apply whether you're in Ontario, Alberta or BC:
- The 11.9% CPP surpriseWhy your first year self-employed costs more than you planned.
- Employee vs self-employedWhich really pays more — and the income you'd need to match a salary.
- The $30,000 HST decisionWhen you must register, and when to do it early on purpose.
- The GST/HST Quick MethodEvery province: remit less tax than you collect, and keep the difference.
- Writing off your work truckCCA Class 10 vs 10.1 — federal, applies nationwide.
- Tools and equipmentClass 12 vs Class 8: the $500 line that changes everything.
- Quarterly tax installmentsThe $3,000 rule and the four dates that catch year-two contractors.
Common questions
How much tax does a self-employed contractor pay in Canada?
It depends on your province, because provincial income tax rates differ — but everyone pays the same federal income tax and the same CPP. The self-employed pay both halves of CPP, 11.9% up to the 2026 maximum, which is the single biggest surprise in a contractor's first solo tax bill. Pick your province above for the exact numbers.
How much should I set aside for taxes as a contractor?
A safe rule for most self-employed trades is 25–30% of net income (after expenses), set aside monthly. The per-province calculators give you the exact monthly figure for your numbers.
Do I have to charge HST?
You must register for and charge GST/HST once your gross revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. This is a federal rule and applies the same in every province.
Do self-employed contractors pay tax quarterly?
Once your net tax owing tops $3,000 in the current year and one of the two previous years, the CRA requires quarterly installments — due March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. Because nothing is withheld from self-employment income, most established contractors end up paying by installments.