Paycheques · Guide
Your first Canadian paycheque, explained
Gross pay is the starting point. Income tax, pension contributions and insurance premiums explain the amount reaching your account.
Read these lines first
Start with gross pay, then read each deduction and the net-pay total. Income-tax withholding is separate from CPP contributions and EI premiums. Quebec uses QPP and has additional provincial rules.
Withholding is not the final bill
Your tax return reconciles income, deductions and credits for the year. Multiple jobs or bonuses can make withholding differ from final tax.
What to do next
Check your pay period and province of employment with your employer. Use the CRA payroll calculator for a pay-period estimate. Keep pay stubs to compare with annual slips.