Self-employed tax calculator
Self-employed in Canada? Estimate your income tax, CPP, EI, and GST/HST for 2025 — and see what you'll actually keep. Built for freelancers, gig workers, and sole proprietors.
Your numbers
Drag the sliders or type your figures. Everything updates instantly.
Your gross revenue before expenses.
Business expenses
Deductible expenses lower the income you're taxed on.
I've opted into EI special benefits
Self-employed Canadians don't pay EI unless they opt in for benefits like parental or sickness leave.
Estimated total (2025)
That's an effective rate of 27.3% on your net income.
Heads up: GST/HST
Your income is above the $30,000 small-supplier threshold, so you'll likely need to register for and charge GST/HST. Work out what to charge →
This is a rough estimate and may be inaccurate — it is not tax, legal, or financial advice. It uses a simplified model of 2025 rates and can't account for your full situation. Before filing or making any decisions, confirm everything with the Canada Revenue Agency and a qualified accountant.
Built for the self-employed — not employees
Most calculators assume you have an employer. When you work for yourself, the rules are different. This one handles the parts that trip people up.
CPP — you pay both halves
Employees split CPP with their employer. Self-employed Canadians pay both portions (plus CPP2 above the first ceiling) — and like the CRA, we deduct half of it from your taxable income.
EI is opt-in
You don't pay regular EI when self-employed. You can opt into EI special benefits for parental or sickness leave — toggle it on to see the cost.
GST/HST threshold
Earn more than $30,000 and you'll generally need to register for and charge GST/HST. We flag it as soon as you cross the line.
Self-employed tax questions
How much tax do I pay as a self-employed person in Canada?
You pay federal and provincial income tax on your net business income (income minus deductible expenses), plus CPP contributions on both the employee and employer portions. If you opt into EI, you also pay EI premiums. Your total depends on your income and province — use the calculator above for an estimate.
Do self-employed people pay CPP?
Yes — and you pay both halves. Employees and employers each contribute 5.95% (2025); as a self-employed person you pay the full 11.9% on your pensionable earnings between $3,500 and $71,300, plus CPP2 of 8% on earnings between $71,300 and $81,200.
Do self-employed people pay EI?
Not automatically. Self-employed Canadians don't pay regular EI premiums. You can choose to opt into the EI program to access special benefits like maternity, parental, sickness, and caregiving benefits — in which case you pay the employee premium rate (1.64% in 2025) but never the employer portion.
When do I have to register for GST/HST?
Generally once your business revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters (the small-supplier threshold). After that you must register, charge GST/HST on your sales, and remit it to the CRA — though you can also claim input tax credits on your business purchases.
What expenses can I deduct?
Common self-employed deductions include vehicle expenses, home office, supplies and materials, phone and internet, advertising, legal and accounting fees, licences and memberships, and business insurance — each maps to a line on the CRA's T2125 form. Meals and entertainment are generally only 50% deductible. Deductible expenses reduce the income you pay tax on, which is why tracking them carefully matters.
Is this calculator accurate?
Treat it as a ballpark, not a guarantee. It models 2025 rates with the common pieces (the self-employed CPP deduction, basic personal amounts, the Ontario surtax and health premium, the Quebec federal abatement), but it is a simplified tool — it can be wrong or out of date, and it knows nothing about your other income, credits, or circumstances. Always confirm your real numbers with the CRA and a qualified accountant before filing or making decisions.
This is a rough estimate — it may be inaccurate, and it is not tax advice. It's a simplified model of 2025 rules: rates change, our numbers can be wrong or out of date, and the calculator can't know your full situation. Don't file or make financial decisions based on it — confirm everything with the Canada Revenue Agency and a qualified accountant first.
Stop guessing at tax time.
Accountly tracks your income, expenses, and GST/HST all year — so your tax estimate is always up to date. Try it free.