Paycheque calculator
What will I actually take home?
Five quick taps. See what comes off, what you keep, and what you’ll get back at tax time.
How do you get paid?
How much an hour?
Before anything comes off.
How many hours a week?
Roughly is fine.
How long will you work this year?
This decides whether you get money back at tax time.
Last one. About you.
CPP doesn’t start until 18, and tax depends on your province.
Age
Province
You take home
$0
Change something
Estimate using 2026 CRA rates, a biweekly pay schedule and the basic amount on your TD1. Benefits, overtime or union dues will change it.
Why is it less than I expected?
Three things come off every cheque: CPP (your pension), EI (job-loss insurance) and income tax. Your employer sends them to the government for you.
Under 18? No CPP.
CPP starts the month after your 18th birthday. If it’s on your stub before then, ask your employer.
Summer job = refund
Payroll takes tax as if you work all year. If you don’t, file a tax return in the spring and get the extra back. Here’s how.
Questions
Paycheque questions
Why is my first paycheque smaller than I expected?
CPP, EI and income tax come off before you’re paid. Payroll also takes tax off as if you’ll earn the same amount all year, so part-time and part-year workers often have more tax taken than they owe. You get the difference back when you file a tax return.
Do I pay CPP if I’m under 18?
No. CPP contributions start the month after you turn 18. EI has no minimum age, so it still comes off.
How much is CPP and EI in 2026?
CPP is 5.95% of pay above a $3,500 yearly exemption, up to $74,600 of earnings, plus 4% on earnings between $74,600 and $85,000. EI is 1.63% of insurable earnings up to $68,900 (outside Quebec).
Will I get a tax refund?
If you only work part of the year, like a summer job or a September start, you’ll probably get some tax and CPP back. Set the weeks you’ll work and the calculator estimates it.
How accurate is this calculator?
It uses the 2026 federal, CPP, EI and provincial rates for Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, and assumes a biweekly pay schedule and the basic personal amount on your TD1. Your real cheque can differ if you have benefits, union dues, overtime or other credits.
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