How much do I need to charge to take home a specific amount?

It depends on your target net income, your status (sole proprietor or incorporated), and how many days a year you can realistically bill — this calculator solves for the gross rate needed after applying 2026 tax brackets and both-sides CPP/CPP2 to your target.

Why does this ask for realistic billable days rather than assuming a full working year?

Because very few contractors bill 52 weeks a year — gaps between contracts, holidays and admin time all reduce actual billable time, and understating this figure will understate the rate you actually need to hit your target income.

Should GST/HST be included in the rate I calculate here?

No — GST/HST is charged on top of your rate and remitted to the CRA rather than kept as income, so it shouldn't be folded into the target-income calculation itself; treat it as an addition to whatever rate this tool produces, once you're registered.

Freelance Rate Calculator Canada — What Should I Charge?

Working backwards from take-home pay to the rate you need to charge

Instead of guessing at a day rate and hoping it's enough, this calculator works backwards from the after-tax income you actually want to end up with, to the rate you need to charge, factoring in 2026 tax brackets, both-sides CPP and CPP2, GST/HST if you're registered, and a realistic number of billable weeks rather than a full 52.

How the reverse calculation works

Enter your target take-home, net, income for the year.
The calculator grosses that up through Ontario's real 2026 tax brackets and both-sides CPP/CPP2 to find the gross contracting income required.
Divide by your realistic billable days or hours, allowing for gaps between contracts and time off, to get the rate you need to charge.

Target Income Calculator (Contracting)

Working backwards from take-home pay to the rate you need to charge

How the reverse calculation works

Frequently asked questions