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Calculator · Canada

Dividends, interest or capital gains: what you keep (Canada)

Compare the 2026 tax on $1,000 of eligible dividends, non-eligible dividends, US dividends, interest and capital gains at your income in your province.

A dollar of interest and a dollar of eligible dividends don't arrive equal after tax. Your bracket decides by how much.
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Your situation

Tax and what you keep (non-registered, 2026 estimate)

Income typeTaxRateYou keep
Eligible dividends$161.6%$984
Non-eligible dividends$19819.8%$802
Capital gains$14114.1%$859
US dividends$28228.2%$718
Interest$28228.2%$718
Eligible dividends$984
Non-eligible dividends$802
Capital gains$859
US dividends$718
Interest$718

Rates are the extra tax on this income on top of your other income, so they already include brackets and credits. US dividends include the 15% US withholding and a simplified foreign tax credit.

Estimate for education, not advice. This site does not recommend, rate or rank any security and does not know your full situation. Results depend on your inputs and the simplifications listed under Method. Check tax details with the CRA or IRS, or a qualified professional. Read the disclaimer.

How to use it

  1. Pick your province or territory and enter your other taxable income.
  2. Enter the amount to compare (for example $1,000).
  3. Read the tax and what you keep for each kind of income in a non-registered account.

Method and limits

  • Same 2026 engine as the after-tax comparator: tax with and without the extra income, so credits and brackets are applied exactly once.
  • Capital gains: half of the gain is included in income (the current inclusion rate). US dividends include the 15% treaty withholding and a simplified foreign tax credit.
  • Estimate only; Quebec and many credits are not modelled.

Frequently asked questions

Why do eligible dividends beat interest at most incomes?
The gross-up and dividend tax credit are designed to account for tax the corporation already paid, so the combined personal rate on eligible dividends is lower than on interest at most income levels.
When do capital gains beat dividends?
At higher incomes, half-taxed capital gains usually cost less than eligible dividends. At lower incomes eligible dividends can be taxed at a lower or even negative marginal rate. The crossover depends on province and income.

Primary sources

Rules checked October 31, 2026. Tax rules and rates change; confirm current details on the official pages above.