Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate Canadian capital gains tax on stocks, mutual funds, and property. 50% inclusion rate applied to marginal tax bracket.
Transaction
Capital Gains Tax
Tax Owed
C$4,447
50% inclusion rate · effective 14.82%
Capital Gain
C$30,000
Taxable Portion (50%)
C$15,000
Net Proceeds
C$45,553
For estimation only. Not professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions. Full disclaimer.
How Canada taxes capital gains
Canada uses an inclusion rate model: only a portion of your capital gain is added to taxable income. For 2026, the rate is 50% on the first $250,000 of gains per year (individuals). The government previously proposed a 66.67% rate on gains above $250k but deferred implementation — always check CRA for the current rule when filing.
ACB — Adjusted Cost Base
Your tax cost is the ACB, not just the purchase price. Include commissions, reinvested dividends, and past return-of-capital adjustments. For identical shares bought at different prices, use the weighted-average ACB.
Principal residence exemption
Gains on your primary home are fully tax-exempt if you lived there every year you owned it. Report the sale on Schedule 3 anyway — failing to file the designation can cost the exemption.
Capital losses
Losses offset gains in the same year. Unused losses carry back 3 years or forward indefinitely. Watch the superficial loss rule: you can't claim a loss if you (or an affiliated person) re-buy the same security within 30 days.
Common questions about Capital Gains
What is the capital gains inclusion rate in Canada for 2026?+
50% for all individuals — the proposed hike to 66.67% above $250,000 of annual gains was deferred. Monitor budget announcements; this is politically volatile.
How is capital gains tax calculated?+
Tax = 50% of your gain × your marginal tax rate. A $20,000 gain at a 43% marginal bracket = $20,000 × 50% × 43% = $4,300 tax. Gains from primary residence are fully exempt under the Principal Residence Exemption.
What is the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)?+
Gains on the sale of your primary home are 100% tax-free. Must have been your principal residence each year you owned it. Multiple homes? PRE can only be claimed on one home per family per year.
Can I use capital losses to reduce tax?+
Yes — capital losses offset capital gains in the same year. Excess losses can be carried back 3 years or forward indefinitely. Watch out for the Superficial Loss rule: cannot repurchase the same security within 30 days.
How are crypto gains taxed in Canada?+
CRA treats cryptocurrency as a commodity. Disposing (selling, trading crypto-to-crypto, or spending) triggers capital gains — 50% taxable at marginal rate. Frequent traders or miners may be classified as business income (100% taxable). Track the adjusted cost base (ACB) using the average-cost method across all wallets for the same coin. Gifts and donations of crypto are dispositions at FMV. CRA has exchange data-sharing agreements with Binance, Coinbase, and Canadian exchanges — full reporting is expected.
Is there a lifetime capital gains exemption?+
Yes — the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) shelters up to $1,016,836 (2026, indexed) of gains on dispositions of Qualified Small Business Corporation (QSBC) shares and qualified farm/fishing property. Must meet 24-month holding, asset-use, and ownership tests. Not available for general stock portfolios or real estate. Planning opportunity for owner-managers selling businesses — crystallization strategies can lock in the exemption before a sale by transferring to a holding company.