Canadian Dividend Calculator
Calculate dividend income and taxes for Canadian investors, including the dividend tax credit and TFSA/RRSP benefits.
🍁Canadian Dividend Income Calculator
Tax Credit Applied: $466 dividend tax credit reduces your tax payable. Effective tax rate on dividends: 10%
How Canadian Dividend Taxes Work
Canada has a unique dividend taxation system designed to prevent double taxation:
1. Gross-Up
Eligible dividends: Grossed up by 38% (multiply by 1.38). Ineligible dividends: Grossed up by 15% (multiply by 1.15). This represents the pre-tax corporate income.
2. Dividend Tax Credit (DTC)
Eligible dividends: ~15% federal + provincial credit. Ineligible dividends: ~9% federal + provincial credit. This credit offsets taxes already paid by the corporation.
3. Net Result
In lower tax brackets, eligible dividends can be nearly tax-free. Even in higher brackets, the effective rate is typically 15-30% lower than employment income.
On This Page
TFSA vs RRSP vs Non-Registered for Dividends
| Feature | TFSA | RRSP | Non-Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax on Dividends | None (tax-free) | Deferred until withdrawal | Taxed annually with DTC |
| Dividend Tax Credit | N/A (no tax anyway) | Lost (taxed as income) | Yes, reduces tax |
| Best For | Canadian dividends | US dividends (treaty) | When registered full |
| 2024 Limit | $7,000/year | 18% of income (max $31,560) | Unlimited |
| Withdrawal | Anytime, tax-free | Taxed as income | Anytime, capital gains tax |
Pro Tip: Hold Canadian dividend stocks in your TFSA first. Hold US dividend stocks in your RRSP (to avoid the 15% US withholding tax). Use non-registered for overflow, where you'll still get the dividend tax credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between eligible and ineligible dividends?
Eligible dividends come from large Canadian public corporations that pay higher corporate tax rates. They receive a larger gross-up (38%) and tax credit. Ineligible dividends come from Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) or foreign companies, with a smaller gross-up (15%) and credit.
Are US dividends taxed differently in Canada?
Yes. US dividends are subject to a 15% withholding tax (reduced from 30% by the Canada-US tax treaty). You can claim a foreign tax credit on your Canadian return. US dividends don't qualify for the Canadian dividend tax credit. Hold US dividend stocks in your RRSP to avoid the withholding tax.
Can dividends be tax-free in Canada?
Yes, in two ways: 1) Hold dividend stocks in a TFSA—all growth and income is completely tax-free. 2) In a non-registered account, if you're in a low tax bracket, eligible dividends can result in zero or even negative effective tax rates due to the dividend tax credit.
What are the best Canadian dividend stocks?
Popular Canadian dividend stocks include the Big 5 banks (RY, TD, BNS, BMO, CM), telecoms (BCE, T, RCI.B), utilities (FTS, EMA, H), pipelines (ENB, TRP, PPL), and REITs. Many are "Canadian Dividend Aristocrats" with 5+ years of consecutive increases.