Self-employed tax calculator
Self-employed in Canada? Estimate your 2025 income tax, CPP and EI, check whether you need to register for GST/HST, 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). Like the CRA, we deduct the employer half plus the enhanced portion from your taxable income and give you a tax credit for the rest.
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
Registration is generally required after worldwide taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 in one calendar quarter or across four consecutive calendar quarters.
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 (outside Quebec) 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. In Quebec, you pay into the QPP instead.
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 outside Quebec) but never the employer portion.
When do I have to register for GST/HST?
Generally when worldwide taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 in one calendar quarter or across four consecutive calendar quarters. The registration date and when you begin collecting GST/HST depend on which threshold you cross. Voluntary registration may be available below the threshold.
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 and credit, basic personal amounts, the Ontario surtax and health premium, the Quebec federal abatement), but it is a simplified tool. It uses CPP rates in Quebec, so it doesn't model QPP or QPIP and understates Quebec contributions somewhat. It also skips provincial low-income tax reductions (like the Ontario Tax Reduction), so provincial tax may come out a bit high at lower incomes. 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.
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