Alberta paycheck quick facts
| Alberta provincial tax | 10% – 15% (5 brackets — lowest in Canada) |
|---|---|
| Alberta BPA (2026 est.) | $22,300 (highest in Canada) |
| Provincial sales tax | 0% (only the 5% federal GST applies) |
| Combined marginal rate (top bracket) | ~48% (one of the lowest in Canada) |
| Federal tax | 15% – 33% (5 brackets) |
| CPP | 5.95% on $3,500–$73,500 + 4% CPP2 on $73,500–$83,700 |
| EI | 1.66% on first $65,000 |
Canadian federal income tax (2026)
Canada's federal tax is progressive, with five brackets ranging from 15% on the first dollars to 33% on income above $260,200. The Basic Personal Amount (BPA) of about $16,550 acts as a tax credit at the lowest bracket rate — meaning the first ~$16,550 of income is effectively federal-tax-free for most workers.
| Federal taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $58,900 | 15% |
| $58,900 – $117,800 | 20.5% |
| $117,800 – $182,700 | 26% |
| $182,700 – $260,200 | 29% |
| Above $260,200 | 33% |
Unlike the US, Canada has no joint filing — each spouse files their own return and pays tax on their own income. Spousal credits can be transferred when one spouse has low income.
CPP, QPP, EI, and QPIP
Canadian payroll has four mandatory deductions:
- CPP (Canada Pension Plan) — 5.95% of pensionable earnings (gross minus a $3,500 basic exemption, capped at the YMPE of $73,500). Plus a 4% CPP2 tier on earnings between YMPE and YAMPE ($83,700). Quebec residents pay QPP instead (6.4% — slightly higher).
- EI (Employment Insurance) — 1.66% of insurable earnings (capped at $65,000 MIE) for workers outside Quebec. Quebec's EI rate is lower (1.31%) because Quebec runs its own parental insurance program.
- QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) — Quebec residents only. 0.494% on the first $96,500 of earnings.
Your employer matches CPP/QPP and EI/QPIP contributions on a separate line of the payroll register (those don't reduce your paycheck).
How to use this calculator
- Pick your province or territory.
- Choose salary (annual) or hourly (wage + hours per pay period).
- Select your pay frequency — bi-weekly is most common in Canada (26 paychecks/year).
- Expand RRSP & union dues to enter pre-tax contributions that reduce your taxable income.
The result updates instantly. The "Take-home per paycheck" is what should land in your bank account; the breakdown table shows exactly where the rest goes.
How to increase your take-home pay
- Max your RRSP contribution. Every dollar you contribute skips both federal and provincial tax at your marginal rate — typically 20–40% combined depending on your bracket and province.
- Use a TFSA for after-tax savings that grow tax-free. Better than a non-registered account for investment income.
- Claim union and professional dues. Deductible against federal and provincial taxable income.
- Move to a low-tax province if you have flexibility. Alberta has the lowest provincial tax (10–15%); Quebec has the highest combined marginal rate (53.31% at the top bracket).
Sources
- CRA — Federal and provincial tax rates
- CRA — CPP contribution rates and maximums
- Service Canada — Employment Insurance premium rates
- Conseil de gestion de l'assurance parentale — QPIP rates
Calculator is provided for estimation only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a tax professional or the CRA for filing.
Related tools
- Canada Paycheck Calculator — pick another province.
- Saskatchewan Paycheck Calculator — neighbouring Prairie province.
- BC Paycheck Calculator — Calgary vs Vancouver take-home.
- GST/HST Calculator — Alberta\'s GST-only sales tax.