Canada is a high-income country, with a progressive income tax system subject to federal and provincial taxes. With this in mind, you will be taxed on your salary if you live in Canada.
Taxes on Salary in Canada
Canada has a progressive tax system, which means that the tax rate increases as your income increases.
Your tax bracket is determined by any combination of your taxable income, marital status, and number of children. The first $11,809 of your taxable income is taxed at a rate of 15%, while the next $29,561 is taxed at a percentage between 20% and 26%, depending on how many children you have.
After that, you move into the highest tax bracket: 33% for all income over $45,282.
The federal and Ontario government each levy and collect income tax. However, the taxes are combined so that the tax payer only files one tax return, and pays the combined tax total which the governments then divide. The amount of tax you are required to pay will depend on the amount of income you earned during the year and the deductions and credits you claimed. In most cases, you are also required to pay tax on investment income earned in the year even if it is not received until the next calendar year.
Tax rates and tax brackets
Depending on the amount of income you earn, you will fall within one of five federal tax brackets, and one of the five Ontario tax brackets. Each tax bracket is taxed at a different rate. The system is based on what is called graduated tax rates. This means that if your income increases so that you enter a new tax bracket, only the amount of your income that falls in the higher tax bracket gets taxed at the higher rate. Tax brackets are set by both the federal government and by each province.
2021 tax rates:
Federal
- 15% on the first $49,020 of taxable income
- 20.5% of the next $49,020 of taxable income (on portion over $49,020 up-to $98,040)
- 26% on the next $53,939 of taxable income (on portion over $98,040 up-to $151,978)
- 29% on the next $64,533 of taxable income (on the portion over $150,978 up-to $216,511)
- 33% of taxable income over $216,511
Ontario:
- 5.05% on the first $45,142 of taxable income
- 9.15% on portion of taxable income over $45,142 up-to $90,287
- 11.16% on portion of taxable income over $90,287 up-to $150,000
- 12.16% on portion of taxable income over $150,000 up-to $220,000
- 13.16% on portion of taxable income over $220,000
2022 tax rates:
Federal
- 15% on the first $50,197 of taxable income, plus
- 20.5% of the next $50,197 of taxable income (on portion over $50,197 up-to $100,392), plus
- 26% on the next $55,233 of taxable income (on portion over $100,392 up-to $155,625), plus
- 29% on the next $66,083 of taxable income (on the portion over $155,625 up-to $221,708), plus
- 33% of taxable income over $221,708
Ontario:
- 5.05% on the first $46,226 of taxable income, plus
- 9.15% on the next $92,454, plus
- 11.16% on the next $150,000, plus
- 12.16% on the next, $220,000, plus
- 13.16% on the amount over $220,000
Combined tax rate
The federal and provincial tax rates, added together, is called the combined tax rate. In addition to the combined rate there are surtaxes that primarily apply to incomes in the highest tax bracket. The combined provincial and federal tax rate ranges from approximately 20% for taxable income in the lowest tax bracket, to approximately 53% for income in the highest tax bracket. Also, individuals with taxable income over $20,000 are required to pay a Health Premium each year.
Reducing tax payable: deductions and credits
There are two main ways to reduce the amount of tax you pay: by claiming deductions and by claiming tax credits.
Deductions are amounts you can subtract directly from your income before calculating tax. There are not as many deductions for individuals earning employment income, in comparison to individuals who carry on a business. However, some common deductions for individuals include: support payments made to an ex-spouse, contribution amounts to an RRSP up-to your annual maximum, and moving expenses, if you had to move more than 40 kilometres because of work.
Tax credits work differently from deductions in that they are subtracted from the amount of tax you owe, as opposed to your income before taxes. The most common credit that everyone can claim is a basic personal tax credit, which allows you to subtract an amount set by the government.
Tax credits work differently from deductions in that they are subtracted from the amount of tax you owe, as opposed to your income before taxes. The most common credit that everyone can claim is a basic personal tax credit, which allows you to subtract an amount set by the government. The federal basic personal amount for the 2021 tax year is $13,808. For 2022, this amount is $14,398. There are also provincial basic personal tax credit amounts, set by each province. In Ontario, it is $10,880 for 2021. For the 2022 tax year, it is $11,141.
For more information, go to 1700 What are tax deductions, credits and benefits?
When must tax be paid?
Generally, tax must be paid throughout the year, as it accrues. Most employers deduct an amount for taxes from your paycheques, and submit it to the federal government on your behalf. If your employer has not deducted enough during the year, you will have to pay tax when you file your tax return. If your employer deducted too much because you have deductions or credits to claim, you will usually get money back after you file your return for the year.
Many people prepare their own tax returns either by carefully following the steps in the tax return packages provided by CRA, or by purchasing a computer program that will ask you to input i
