Income Tax Calculator (Canada, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 tax return due?

For most people the deadline to file and pay is April 30, 2027. Self-employed people and their spouses have until June 15, 2027 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30, and interest is charged from May 1. RRSP contributions made by March 1, 2027 can be deducted on the 2026 return. If you owed more than $3,000 ($1,800 in Quebec) this year and last, the CRA will ask for quarterly instalments next year.

Why is my refund different from what this shows?

The estimate assumes a single filer claiming only the basic personal amount, the Canada employment amount and CPP/EI credits. It leaves out credits for a spouse, children, tuition, medical expenses, donations and the disability amount, plus capital losses, refundable credits and the Canada Workers Benefit. Any of those can change the result a lot.

What is the difference between a deduction and a credit?

A deduction (RRSP, FHSA, childcare, union dues) lowers taxable income, so it saves tax at your marginal rate. A non-refundable credit (basic personal amount, medical, donations) lowers tax directly, usually at the lowest bracket rate. A $1,000 deduction is worth more to a high earner than a $1,000 credit amount.

Do CPP and EI count as income tax?

No. CPP contributions and EI premiums are separate payroll deductions and have their own line. They earn you a non-refundable credit against income tax, which the calculator applies. The enhanced part of CPP is deductible from income.

How does the Ontario Health Premium work?

It is part of Ontario income tax, collected through the return and payroll. It is $0 below $20,000 of taxable income and steps up to a maximum of $900 above $200,600. It is included in the Ontario tax shown.

I moved provinces during the year. Which province do I pick?

The province where you lived on December 31, 2026. That province's rates apply to your whole year, even if you earned the income somewhere else. Quebec is the exception. Quebec source deductions during the year are reconciled on the Quebec return.

What is a marginal tax rate?

The combined federal and provincial rate on your next dollar of income. It is the rate a raise, a bonus or an RRSP deduction is really taxed or saved at. The average rate, total tax divided by total income, is always lower.

Are low-income tax reductions included?

Yes for Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, for a single filer. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador had not published their 2026 thresholds when the data was verified, so those two are not modelled yet. They only matter below roughly $25,000 to $30,000 of income.

Why do I owe tax when I have two jobs?

Each employer withholds as if it were your only job and applies the full basic personal amount. So the second job is under-withheld by roughly the credit value of that amount, about $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the province. The higher bracket your combined income reaches adds to the gap. Ask the second employer to withhold extra on your TD1.

How long does it take to get a tax refund?

About two weeks if you file online with direct deposit, up to eight weeks on paper. Returns filed before mid-February or flagged for review take longer. The CRA pays interest only after 30 days past the later of April 30 and the date you filed.

Do I get CPP or EI back if I overpaid?

Yes. If two employers together deducted more than the yearly maximum, the extra is refunded on your return (line 44800 for CPP, 45000 for EI). Enter the totals from your T4s and the overpayment is added to your refund.