How the numbers are calculated

The current finance configuration targets tax year 2026 and was last reviewed 2026-10-03.

Versioned policy data

Tax brackets, payroll contribution limits, mortgage qualification assumptions, mortgage-insurance premiums and transfer-tax rules are kept outside the calculation engines in a versioned finance configuration. This lets policy data be reviewed without rewriting the formulas.

Salary

Salary estimates apply configured federal and provincial income-tax brackets plus CPP/QPP, second-tier CPP/QPP where applicable, EI and QPIP where applicable. RRSP deductions and union dues affect taxable-income estimates. Payroll withholding on a specific paycheque can differ from an annual tax-return estimate.

Mortgage

Canadian fixed-rate mortgage payments use the equivalent periodic rate derived from a nominal annual rate compounded semi-annually. Mortgage-insurance, minimum down-payment and qualifying-rate assumptions come from the current finance configuration.

Affordability

Affordability estimates apply configured GDS/TDS limits, mortgage stress-test assumptions, housing costs and monthly debt obligations. They are planning estimates, not lending approvals.

Closing costs

Transfer-tax and registration calculations vary by province and, in some cases, municipality or property type. Other closing-cost fields such as legal fees, inspections and adjustments are estimates that the user can change.

Primary source families

Policy-sensitive values are reviewed against primary sources such as the Canada Revenue Agency, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, CMHC, OSFI and provincial or municipal tax/land-title authorities. Where a calculator displays source links, use those links to verify the rule that applies to your situation.

Check the exact calculator

Each calculator includes more specific assumptions and source links where available. Start with the salary calculator, mortgage calculator, affordability calculator or closing-cost calculator.