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Tax rates in Canada

Tax Rates

Consumption Taxes

Nature of the Tax
There are three types of sales taxes in Canada, depending on the province: the GST (Federal Goods and Services Tax), the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) and the PST (Provincial Sales Tax). Some provinces do not levy a PST or levy a single-incidence retail sales and use tax (a type of excise duty).
Tax Rate
The federal GST standard rate is 5%. The PST general rates are as follows: BC, 7%; SK, 6%. Some provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island) have fully harmonised their sales tax systems with the GST and impose a single HST (at 15% - 13% for Ontario). Quebec is not a participating province and levies a separate tax, the QST (Quebec Sales Tax) at a 9.975% rate, bringing the combined effective rate to 14.975% in Quebec. Other non-participating provinces include Manitoba and British Columbia (combined rate of 12%) and Saskatchewan (combined rate of 11%), which levy their own retail sales tax, and Alberta, which does not levy a retail sales tax.
Reduced Tax Rate
Certain products and services are zero-rated (exports of goods and services, basic groceries, prescription drugs, medical devices, some inputs for agriculture and fishing, and most international freight and passenger transportation services). Municipalities, universities, hospitals and other public administration institutions qualify for a partial or complete refund of GST/HST paid on certain purchased inputs.
Other Consumption Taxes
Excise duties are levied by the federal government at various rates on spirits, wine, beer, malt liquor, tobacco and vaping products (either manufactured in Canada or imported). Some provinces levy additional taxes on these items.
A fuel charge is implemented by the Government of Canada in provinces and territories that request it or that do not have a carbon pricing system that meets the federal requirements.
An air travellers security charge (ATSC) is applied on air transportation services and is collected by registered air carriers or their agents when the airline ticket is purchased.

For further information, consult the dedicated page on the website of the Government of Canada.

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Corporate Taxes

Company Tax
Federal Corporate Tax Rate: 15% after the general tax reduction (9% for Canadian-controlled private corporations claiming the small business deduction).

Provincial Tax Rate: Provinces and territories apply two tax rates - a low rate and a high rate. The low rate applies to business income that qualifies for small business deduction (varying between 0% and 3.2%). The high rate applies to all other income (varying between 11.5% and 16%).

For more information, please visit the Canadian government website.
Tax Rate For Foreign Companies
Corporations resident in Canada are subject to taxation on their worldwide income. Foreign non-resident companies are subject to taxation on Canada-sourced income and capital gains arising upon the disposition of taxable Canadian property. On the other hand, they benefit from some exemptions.
Capital Gains Taxation
50% of capital gains are included in taxable income for the year in which the gains are realized and is subject to the normal rate of tax. Capital gains deriving from the disposal of qualified small business corporation shares are exempt up to CAD 971,190 (for 2023 - adjusted every year). Capital losses are deductible, but generally only against capital gains (in case of excess, the loss can be carried back three years and carried forward indefinitely).

Non-resident corporations are subject to corporate income tax on taxable capital gains arising on the disposition of taxable Canadian property (50% of capital gains less 50% of capital losses).

Main Allowable Deductions and Tax Credits
Companies may amortise their capital property up to a certain percentage every year. General business operating costs are also deductible. Net operating losses may be carried back for three years and forward for 20 years. Interest on borrowed money used for earning business or property income, or interest in respect of an amount payable for property acquired to earn income, is deductible. Deductions for business meals and entertainment expenses are limited to 50% of their cost. Insurance premiums relating to properties of a business are generally deductible, although life insurance premiums are generally not deductible if the company is the named beneficiary. Donations made to registered Canadian charitable organisations are deductible in computing taxable income up to 75% of net income (a 5-year carryforward is available). Tax credits are also available for tax on dividends received from a foreign company as well as income tax paid in another country. Current expenditures on scientific research and experimental development can be deducted in the year incurred, or carried forward indefinitely to minimise tax payable. A reasonable reserve for doubtful accounts may be deducted for tax purposes.

Start-up expenses are not deductible, the same as for federal, provincial, and territorial income taxes and government-imposed fines and penalties. Mining and oil and gas companies are generally allowed a 100% deduction for grassroots exploration costs, whereas other development costs are deductible at the rate of 30% on a declining-balance basis.

Other Corporate Taxes
Taxes on natural resources, namely oil and gas, mineral and timber are applied across Canada. Federal and provincial resource royalties and taxes are collected on resource production on federal and provincial Crown lands respectively. Certain rental payments and management fees are also subject to a 25% withholding tax, unless otherwise agreed upon in a tax treaty. Property taxes are levied by municipalities on the estimated market value of real property within their boundaries and by provinces and territories on land not in a municipality.

All provinces and territories impose on insurance companies a premium tax on life and non-life insurance, ranging from 2% to 5%. Insurance companies are subject to a tax on capital in Quebec and Ontario. Quebec also levies a compensation tax on insurance premiums at the rate of 0.30% (between 2022 and 2024; will be abolished from 1 April 2024). The federal government levies a Financial Institutions Capital Tax on banks, trust and loan corporations, and life insurance companies when taxable capital employed in Canada exceeds CAD 1 billion, at a rate of 1.25%.

All provinces and territories charge a land transfer tax or registration fee on the purchaser of real property within their boundaries, calculated on the sale price or the assessed value of the property sold at rates varying between 0.02% to 5% (higher rates may apply for non-residents).

Employers need to contribute to social security on behalf of their employees, with rates varying according to the territory. The maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for 2023 is CAD 66,600. For 2023, employers are required to pay, for each employee, government pension plan contributions up to CAD 3,500 and employment insurance premiums up to CAD 1,403.43.
Payroll taxes are charged at a maximum rate between 1.95% and 4.3%.

Provinces and territories implement carbon taxes in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

Other Domestic Resources
Canada Revenue Agency

Country Comparison For Corporate Taxation

  Canada OECD United States Germany
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year 8.0 10.1 10.6 9.0
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours) 131.0 163.6 175.0 218.0
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit) 24.5 41.6 36.6 48.8

Source: Doing Business, Latest available data.

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Individual Taxes

Tax Rate

Federal Tax Rate (2023) Progressive from 15 to 33%
From CAD 0 to CAD 53,359 15%
From CAD 53,359 to CAD 106,717 20.5%
From CAD 106,717 to CAD 165,430 26%
From CAD 165,430 to CAD 235,675 29%
Above CAD 235,675 33%
Provincial Tax Rate Progressive from 4 to 21.8%.

For a full list, consult the Government of Canada website.

Allowable Deductions and Tax Credits
The main tax exemption is provided for payments into Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), limited to 18% of earned income in the preceding year and a maximum contribution of CAD 30,780 for 2023 (whichever is less). Deductible costs and expenses include those related to employment, education, care for a dependent (capped at CAD 8,000 per child under seven years old and CAD 5,000 per child between 7-16 years old), alimony, certain moving expenses, union and professional dues, donations and investment carrying charges. Individual shareholders may also claim a tax credit on dividends. Interest on money borrowed to acquire investment property or to invest in a business is usually deductible. Capital losses are deductible, but generally only against capital gains.
Business deductions for self-employed persons normally include all reasonable expenses incurred to earn business income.
Several tax credits are provided by the law, for further information consult the dedicated page on the website of the Government of Canada. Furthermore, a comprehensive list of deductions for individual taxpayers is available here.
Special Expatriate Tax Regime
To eliminate any conflicts and the double taxation that might otherwise result, Canada's tax treaties often provide special residency "tie-breaker" rules for determining residency. Normally, under Canadian law and the residency provisions of most tax treaties, an individual is considered resident in the jurisdiction to which the individual has closer personal and economic ties, although other factors may influence this conclusion.
Non-resident taxpayers are taxed on Canadian-source income, on gains from the disposal of Canadian property, and on income derived from carrying on a business in Canada.

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Double Taxation Treaties

Countries With Whom a Double Taxation Treaty Have Been Signed
Canada's Government - tax treaties in force
Withholding Taxes
Dividends: 0%(resident)/25% (non-resident); Interests: 0%(resident)/25% (non-resident); Royalties: 0%(resident)/25% (non-resident).
Bilateral Agreement
The United Kingdom and Canada are bound by a double taxation treaty.

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Latest Update: March 2024

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