British Columbia freelance tax & GST calculator.
Estimate the income tax, CPP, and GST you should set aside on your British Columbia self-employment income — on verified federal and British Columbia 2026 rates. No sign-up.
Estimate your set-aside
How the estimate works
Income tax for the self-employed in British Columbia is the sum of three things, all calculated on your net income (revenue minus deductible business expenses): federal tax, British Columbia tax, and Canada Pension Plan contributions. Sales tax is separate — it's charged on top of what you bill, and it belongs to the CRA.
Federal income tax (2026)
Applied to net income above the federal basic personal amount of $16,452:
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $58,523 | 14% |
| $58,523 – $117,045 | 20.5% |
| $117,045 – $181,440 | 26% |
| $181,440 – $258,482 | 29% |
| Over $258,482 | 33% |
British Columbia income tax (2026)
Applied above the British Columbia basic personal amount of $13,216:
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $50,363 | 5.6% |
| $50,363 – $100,728 | 7.7% |
| $100,728 – $115,648 | 10.5% |
| $115,648 – $140,430 | 12.29% |
| $140,430 – $190,405 | 14.7% |
| $190,405 – $265,545 | 16.8% |
| Over $265,545 | 20.5% |
CPP for the self-employed
Employees split CPP with their employer; the self-employed pay both halves — 11.9% on net income between the $3,500 exemption and the year's maximum, plus CPP2 on earnings above the first ceiling. It's the biggest surprise for new freelancers, and why a flat "set aside 20%" usually falls short.
GST (5%) — and PST is separate
British Columbia does not use HST. You charge 5% GST to the CRA once past $30,000 in revenue. British Columbia's 7% PST is a separate provincial tax — most professional, consulting, and creative services are PST-exempt, so freelancers usually only deal with the 5% GST. The GST you collect is never your income; set it aside immediately.
T2125 & CRA deadlines, briefly
- Form T2125 reports your business income and expenses; it's filed with your personal T1 return and its net figure drives the tax above.
- Filing deadline: June 15 for the self-employed — but any balance owing is still due April 30, so interest accrues from then.
- Installments: once the CRA requires them, personal tax installments fall on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.
- Sales-tax returns: due annually, quarterly, or monthly depending on your revenue and election.
Frequently asked
- Do I charge GST or PST in British Columbia?
- Freelancers charge 5% GST to the CRA. British Columbia's 7% PST is separate and most professional services are exempt — check your specific category.
- How much should a British Columbia freelancer set aside for taxes?
- For most, 25–30% of net self-employment income covers federal and British Columbia income tax plus CPP, rising with income. The calculator above estimates it on verified 2026 rates.
- Is this calculator exact?
- It uses Saava's verified 2026 federal and British Columbia rates, but it is a planning estimate, not tax advice. The full app refines it across the year and every province.
Track it, don't just estimate it.
Saava sets aside the right amount per payment, flags CRA deadlines before they hit, and estimates year-end tax for every province — free during beta.
In another province? See all Canadian tax & sales-tax calculators.