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The most common questions we get about Canadian payroll and this site’s calculators, all in one place. For province-specific or calculator-specific questions, check the FAQ section on that page directly.
Is this site affiliated with the CRA or Government of Canada?
No. Paycheck Calculator Canada is an independent tool. We use official published CRA, Revenu Québec, and ESDC figures, but we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government body.
How accurate are your calculators?
They use the same official 2026 tax brackets, basic personal amounts, and contribution rates used by payroll software. They assume a standard basic personal amount and no extra deductions unless you enter them under Advanced options.
Why does my province matter for tax calculations?
Federal tax is the same everywhere, but each province and territory sets its own tax brackets and basic personal amount, so take-home pay varies by province even at the same salary.
What is the difference between CPP and CPP2?
CPP is the base contribution (5.95%) up to $74,600 of income. CPP2 is an additional 4% contribution, introduced in 2024, that only applies to income between $74,600 and $85,000.
Why is Quebec calculated differently?
Quebec administers its own provincial tax, pension plan (QPP), and parental insurance (QPIP), separate from the federal-administered defaults used elsewhere in Canada.
Can I use this calculator if I am self-employed?
No, this calculator is built for standard employment income (T4) with employer-withheld payroll deductions. Self-employed individuals have different CPP rules and EI treatment.
Do you update your figures every year?
Yes, we review and update figures whenever the CRA, Revenu Québec, or ESDC publish new rates, typically each January, with occasional mid-year updates.
Is my data stored when I use the calculator?
No, all calculations happen in your browser. We do not collect, store, or transmit the salary or personal figures you enter.
Can employers use this site too?
Yes, switch any calculator to Employer / Payroll Cost mode to see employer-side CPP/QPP, EI, and QPIP contributions plus total cost of employment.
I found an error in your figures - how do I report it?
Please visit our Contact page and include the province, income, and pay frequency you used, so we can investigate against the official source figures.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my first paycheck of the year higher than the rest?
Early in the year, some payroll systems have not yet applied the full annual CPP and EI calculations. More commonly, people notice paychecks shrink slightly mid-year as CPP contributions ramp up, then grow again once you hit the CPP and EI annual maximums and those deductions stop.
Do I pay CPP and EI on bonuses and overtime?
Yes. Bonuses, overtime, and commissions are pensionable and insurable earnings, so CPP or QPP and EI apply to them just like regular wages, until you reach the annual maximums.
Why does my coworker in another province take home more on the same salary?
Provincial income tax. Federal tax, CPP, and EI are the same everywhere, but each province sets its own tax brackets and rates. Try both provinces in our calculators to see the exact difference.
What happens to my deductions if I change jobs mid-year?
Your new employer starts CPP and EI deductions from zero. If you already hit the annual maximum at your old job, you will overpay at the new one and get the excess back as a tax refund when you file.
Are employer RRSP contributions deducted from my paycheck?
If your employer deducts your RRSP contribution from your pay before tax, it lowers your taxable income. If the employer adds a matching contribution on top, that match is a taxable benefit: added to your gross pay and taxed, even though it goes straight to your RRSP.
Statutory deductions, explained
What are the federal tax brackets for 2026?
For 2026 the federal brackets are 14% on income up to $58,523, 20.5% up to $117,045, 26% up to $181,440, 29% up to $258,482, and 33% above that. Only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that rate; your whole salary is never taxed at the top rate.
What is the basic personal amount in 2026?
The federal basic personal amount is $16,452 for 2026. Provinces set their own: Alberta $22,769, Saskatchewan $20,381, Quebec $18,952, British Columbia $13,216, and Manitoba $15,780 (frozen for 2026). This is the amount of income on which you pay no income tax, claimed as a non-refundable credit at the lowest rate.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is everything you earned in the period before anything is taken off. Net pay (take-home pay) is what is left after federal and provincial tax, CPP/QPP, and EI/QPIP. For most Canadians, net pay works out to roughly 70% to 80% of gross pay; see our gross pay vs. net pay guide for a worked comparison.
Is a paycheque the same as a pay stub?
Almost, but not exactly. The paycheque is the money that reaches your bank account; the pay stub is the itemized record showing how that number was calculated, line by line. Our pay stub guide walks through each section.
When do I get my T4?
Employers must issue T4 slips by the end of February for the previous calendar year. If yours is late, ask payroll first, then contact the CRA; you can still file using your final pay stub’s year-to-date figures and correct the return later if needed.
Can these calculators replace my accountant?
No. They give accurate payroll estimates for standard employment situations, but tax planning with RRSPs, rental income, business income, or split income is individual. Our figures are checked against official sources, but they are not tax advice, as our disclaimer explains.