Tax Refund Calculator
Estimate your 2026 tax refund or balance owing. Use our CRA-style simulation to see where you stand.
Not sure what to enter?
Fill in a sample T4: $75,000 income, $13,500 tax deducted (box 22).
Income & Deductions
Taxes Already Paid
How Your Tax Refund Is Calculated
Your employer takes tax off every paycheque. When you file, the CRA works out the tax you really owe for the year, after deductions and credits. Refund = tax already deducted − tax you owe. A negative number means a balance owing.
Example: you earn $65,000 in Ontario and your T4 shows about $9,725 of tax deducted, which matches the tax on that income. You put $5,000 into an RRSP. Your taxable income drops to $60,000 and the tax owed drops to about $8,243, so you get a refund of about $1,483.
What Makes Your Refund Bigger
- RRSP and FHSA contributions: they come straight off your taxable income. See the RRSP refund calculator.
- Childcare, moving and union dues: deductions that lower taxable income.
- Tuition, medical expenses and donations: credits that lower the tax itself.
- Refundable credits like the Canada Workers Benefit, paid even if you owe no tax. The Benefits Finder shows which ones you qualify for.
Have Your Slips Already?
Drop your T4, T4A or T5 PDF into the Tax Slip Reader and it fills in the numbers for you. Not sure what a box means? See the tax slip box guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is my tax refund calculated?
Your refund is the tax already taken off your pay (box 22 of your T4) minus the tax you actually owe for the year. If more was deducted than you owe, the CRA pays back the difference. If less, you have a balance owing.
When is the 2026 tax return due?
April 30, 2027 for most people. If you or your spouse are self-employed you have until June 15, 2027 to file, but any balance owing is still due April 30.
How long does a tax refund take in Canada?
Usually about two weeks if you file online with direct deposit, and around 10 weeks for a paper return.
Why do I owe tax instead of getting a refund?
The usual reasons are two jobs at once (each employer deducts as if it is your only job), self-employment or rental income, investment income, or taxable benefits like EI where too little tax was withheld.
Keep planning your taxes
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