Not all investment income is taxed equally in Canada. Capital gains, Canadian eligible dividends, Canadian ineligible (non-eligible) dividends, foreign dividends, and interest income all face different effective tax rates. Understanding these differences helps you make better asset allocation, account placement, and income planning decisions. This guide breaks down the tax treatment of each income type with province-by-province comparisons for 2026.
| Income Type | Tax Treatment | Inclusion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Gains | 50% of gain added to income (2/3 above $250k/yr) | 50% (or 66.67%) |
| Canadian Eligible Dividends | Grossed up 38%, then dividend tax credit applied | Effective rate varies by province |
| Canadian Non-Eligible Dividends | Grossed up 15%, smaller tax credit | Effective rate varies by province |
| Foreign Dividends (incl. US) | 100% added to income; foreign tax credit may apply | 100% |
| Interest Income | 100% added to income | 100% |
| Province | Capital Gains* | Eligible Dividends | Interest/Foreign Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 21.0% | 9.6% | 42.0% |
| British Columbia | 24.0% | 18.5% | 48.0% |
| Ontario | 23.2% | 16.5% | 46.4% |
| Quebec | 26.7% | 22.4% | 53.3% |
| Nova Scotia | 27.0% | 24.5% | 54.0% |
| Manitoba | 25.2% | 22.0% | 50.4% |
| Saskatchewan | 21.0% | 9.6% | 42.0% |
*On gains under $250,000 for the year (50% inclusion rate). Rates are approximate and assume no surtaxes or clawbacks. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
The dividend tax credit (DTC) is a mechanism that eliminates double taxation: Canadian corporations pay tax on their earnings, then distribute dividends from after-tax income. Without the DTC, shareholders would be taxed again on the same corporate earnings. The DTC provides a credit that largely offsets this double taxation.
For eligible dividends (from public corporations or private CCPCs paying at the general corporate rate), the gross-up is 38% and the federal dividend tax credit is 15.0198% of the grossed-up dividend. Provincial credits add further relief. The net result is that eligible dividends are taxed at approximately 10–25% effective rate depending on province and income level — significantly less than interest income.
For most income levels and provinces, capital gains are taxed at similar or lower effective rates than eligible dividends. But the comparison isn't purely about tax rate:
In the 2024 federal budget, the government proposed increasing the capital gains inclusion rate from 50% to 66.67% for gains exceeding $250,000 annually for individuals. This change took effect June 25, 2024. The first $250,000 of annual capital gains continues to benefit from the 50% inclusion rate; gains above $250,000 are taxed at 2/3 inclusion.
For most Canadian retail investors realizing under $250,000 in annual capital gains, this change has no impact. It primarily affects business owners selling their businesses or high-net-worth investors with large annual realizations. The lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE) for qualifying small business corporation shares increased to $1.25 million in 2024 (and will be indexed to inflation), partially offsetting the inclusion rate increase for eligible business owners.
Combining knowledge of income tax treatment with account type gives an optimal asset location strategy:
Interest income from bonds, GICs, HISAs, and savings accounts is the most heavily taxed form of investment income in Canada — 100% is added to your income and taxed at your full marginal rate. For an Ontario investor in the 53.5% bracket, a GIC returning 4.5% gross delivers only 2.1% after tax. This is why holding fixed income inside an RRSP or TFSA is strongly recommended — don't pay 53.5% tax on interest income you didn't have to.
Dividends from US and other foreign companies are taxed as ordinary income in Canada (100% inclusion, no tax credit). Additionally, the source country may withhold tax:
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Get KOHO Free →Last updated: March 2026. For informational purposes only. Not financial advice.