How are capital gains taxed in Canada?

In Canada, only 50% of your capital gain is included in your taxable income (called the "inclusion rate"). This taxable portion is then added to your other income and taxed at your marginal tax rate. For example, a $40,000 capital gain results in $20,000 of taxable income. If your marginal rate is 30%, you pay $6,000 in tax on the gain — an effective rate of 15% on the full gain.

What is the capital gains inclusion rate for 2026?

For individuals, the capital gains inclusion rate is 50% for 2026. This means half of your capital gain is added to your taxable income. The inclusion rate applies to gains on stocks, bonds, real estate (other than your principal residence), cryptocurrency, and other capital property.

How do I calculate my capital gain?

Your capital gain equals the sale price minus the adjusted cost base (ACB) minus any selling expenses. The ACB is typically your purchase price plus any acquisition costs (legal fees, commissions). Selling expenses include broker commissions, legal fees, and real estate agent commissions. If the result is negative, you have a capital loss instead.

What is NOT a capital gain in Canada?

Several common financial events are NOT capital gains: (1) Selling your principal residence is exempt under the Principal Residence Exemption. (2) Gains inside a TFSA or RRSP are tax-sheltered. (3) Lottery and gambling winnings are not taxable. (4) Receiving a gift or inheritance does not trigger a capital gain for the recipient. (5) Life insurance proceeds are not taxable to the beneficiary. The person who gives a gift or the estate of a deceased person may have a deemed disposition, however.

Is selling my home a capital gain?

If the property is your principal residence and you lived in it for every year you owned it, the entire gain is exempt under the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). You must designate it as your principal residence on your tax return using Form T2091. If you only lived there for part of the ownership period or had rental income from it, a portion of the gain may be taxable. Each family unit can designate only one property per year as their principal residence.

Are gains in my TFSA or RRSP taxable?

No. Investment gains (including capital gains) inside a TFSA are completely tax-free — both while invested and when withdrawn. RRSP gains are tax-deferred: you don't pay tax on gains while invested, but all withdrawals are taxed as regular income (not as capital gains). This means RRSP withdrawals lose the 50% inclusion rate advantage. For assets expected to generate large capital gains, a TFSA may be more tax-efficient than an RRSP.

Can I use capital losses to reduce my taxes?

Yes. Capital losses can only offset capital gains, not other income. If your capital losses exceed your gains in a year, the net capital loss can be carried back 3 years or carried forward indefinitely to offset gains in other years. You must report both gains and losses on Schedule 3 of your T1 return. Superficial loss rules prevent claiming a loss if you repurchase the same security within 30 days.

What is the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?

The LCGE allows Canadian residents to shelter up to $1,250,000 (2025 amount, indexed annually) of capital gains on the sale of qualifying small business corporation shares, or qualified farm or fishing property. This is a cumulative lifetime limit. The exemption must be claimed on your tax return and requires that the shares or property meet specific conditions regarding Canadian-controlled private corporations or active farming/fishing use.

How is cryptocurrency taxed in Canada?

The CRA treats cryptocurrency as a commodity. Selling, trading, or converting crypto triggers a capital gain or loss (the difference between fair market value at sale and your ACB). Trading one crypto for another is also a taxable disposition. If you're mining or trading crypto as a business, gains may be taxed as business income (100% taxable) rather than capital gains (50% taxable). The CRA considers factors like frequency, intention, and volume of trading.

When do I report capital gains to the CRA?

You must report capital gains in the tax year the disposition (sale, gift, or deemed disposition) occurs. Report gains and losses on Schedule 3 of your T1 return. Your brokerage typically provides a T5008 slip showing proceeds of disposition, but you are responsible for tracking your adjusted cost base. The filing deadline is April 30 (or June 15 for self-employed individuals), but any tax owing is due April 30.

Does the province I live in affect my capital gains tax?

Yes. While the 50% inclusion rate is set federally, the marginal rate applied to your taxable capital gain depends on your combined federal and provincial tax brackets. Provinces with lower rates (Alberta, Saskatchewan, the territories) result in lower capital gains tax, while provinces with higher rates (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec) result in higher tax. The province you reside in on December 31 determines your provincial tax rate for the entire year.

What are some strategies to minimize capital gains tax?

Common strategies include: (1) Holding investments in a TFSA where gains are tax-free. (2) Tax-loss harvesting — selling losers to offset gains. (3) Timing sales to low-income years. (4) Donating appreciated securities to charity (no capital gains tax + donation credit). (5) Using the principal residence exemption for your home. (6) Claiming the LCGE on qualifying small business shares. (7) Splitting gains across tax years when possible.

What's the difference between capital gains and regular income?

Capital gains receive preferential tax treatment - only 50% is taxable, versus 100% for employment income, interest, and foreign dividends. This means your effective tax rate on capital gains is half your marginal rate. For example, someone in a 40% tax bracket pays 40% on salary but only 20% effective rate on capital gains.

Do I pay capital gains tax on my principal residence?

No, your principal residence is exempt from capital gains tax in Canada through the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). However, if you own multiple properties, only one can be your principal residence for any given year. You must designate which property is your principal residence when you sell.

Can I use capital losses to reduce my tax?

Yes! Capital losses can offset capital gains in the same year. If your losses exceed your gains, you can carry the loss back 3 years or forward indefinitely to offset future gains. This is called tax-loss harvesting and is a key strategy for investors. Note: Capital losses can only offset capital gains, not regular income.

How does CRA know about my capital gains?

Investment firms send T5008 slips showing your proceeds of disposition. You're required to track your adjusted cost base (ACB) and calculate gains yourself. For cryptocurrency, you must track and report all transactions - CRA is actively enforcing crypto reporting.

Are capital gains inside my TFSA or RRSP taxable?

No! Capital gains (and all investment income) inside registered accounts like TFSAs and RRSPs grow tax-free. This is one of the biggest advantages of registered accounts. TFSA gains are never taxed, even on withdrawal. RRSP gains are taxed as regular income when withdrawn, but grow tax-deferred.

What if I'm a day trader - is it still capital gains?

If CRA considers you a day trader running a business, your profits may be treated as business income (100% taxable) rather than capital gains (50% taxable). Factors include trading frequency, holding period, research conducted, and expertise. Most casual investors qualify for capital gains treatment.

How are capital gains taxed in Canada?

In Canada, only 50% of your capital gain is included in your taxable income (called the "inclusion rate"). This taxable portion is then added to your other income and taxed at your marginal tax rate. For example, a $40,000 capital gain results in $20,000 of taxable income. If your marginal rate is 30%, you pay $6,000 in tax on the gain — an effective rate of 15% on the full gain.

What is the capital gains inclusion rate for 2026?

For individuals, the capital gains inclusion rate is 50% for 2026. This means half of your capital gain is added to your taxable income. The inclusion rate applies to gains on stocks, bonds, real estate (other than your principal residence), cryptocurrency, and other capital property.

How do I calculate my capital gain?

Your capital gain equals the sale price minus the adjusted cost base (ACB) minus any selling expenses. The ACB is typically your purchase price plus any acquisition costs (legal fees, commissions). Selling expenses include broker commissions, legal fees, and real estate agent commissions. If the result is negative, you have a capital loss instead.

What is NOT a capital gain in Canada?

Several common financial events are NOT capital gains: (1) Selling your principal residence is exempt under the Principal Residence Exemption. (2) Gains inside a TFSA or RRSP are tax-sheltered. (3) Lottery and gambling winnings are not taxable. (4) Receiving a gift or inheritance does not trigger a capital gain for the recipient. (5) Life insurance proceeds are not taxable to the beneficiary. The person who gives a gift or the estate of a deceased person may have a deemed disposition, however.

Is selling my home a capital gain?

If the property is your principal residence and you lived in it for every year you owned it, the entire gain is exempt under the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). You must designate it as your principal residence on your tax return using Form T2091. If you only lived there for part of the ownership period or had rental income from it, a portion of the gain may be taxable. Each family unit can designate only one property per year as their principal residence.

Are gains in my TFSA or RRSP taxable?

No. Investment gains (including capital gains) inside a TFSA are completely tax-free — both while invested and when withdrawn. RRSP gains are tax-deferred: you don't pay tax on gains while invested, but all withdrawals are taxed as regular income (not as capital gains). This means RRSP withdrawals lose the 50% inclusion rate advantage. For assets expected to generate large capital gains, a TFSA may be more tax-efficient than an RRSP.

Can I use capital losses to reduce my taxes?

Yes. Capital losses can only offset capital gains, not other income. If your capital losses exceed your gains in a year, the net capital loss can be carried back 3 years or carried forward indefinitely to offset gains in other years. You must report both gains and losses on Schedule 3 of your T1 return. Superficial loss rules prevent claiming a loss if you repurchase the same security within 30 days.

What is the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?

The LCGE allows Canadian residents to shelter up to $1,250,000 (2025 amount, indexed annually) of capital gains on the sale of qualifying small business corporation shares, or qualified farm or fishing property. This is a cumulative lifetime limit. The exemption must be claimed on your tax return and requires that the shares or property meet specific conditions regarding Canadian-controlled private corporations or active farming/fishing use.

How is cryptocurrency taxed in Canada?

The CRA treats cryptocurrency as a commodity. Selling, trading, or converting crypto triggers a capital gain or loss (the difference between fair market value at sale and your ACB). Trading one crypto for another is also a taxable disposition. If you're mining or trading crypto as a business, gains may be taxed as business income (100% taxable) rather than capital gains (50% taxable). The CRA considers factors like frequency, intention, and volume of trading.

When do I report capital gains to the CRA?

You must report capital gains in the tax year the disposition (sale, gift, or deemed disposition) occurs. Report gains and losses on Schedule 3 of your T1 return. Your brokerage typically provides a T5008 slip showing proceeds of disposition, but you are responsible for tracking your adjusted cost base. The filing deadline is April 30 (or June 15 for self-employed individuals), but any tax owing is due April 30.

Does the province I live in affect my capital gains tax?

Yes. While the 50% inclusion rate is set federally, the marginal rate applied to your taxable capital gain depends on your combined federal and provincial tax brackets. Provinces with lower rates (Alberta, Saskatchewan, the territories) result in lower capital gains tax, while provinces with higher rates (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec) result in higher tax. The province you reside in on December 31 determines your provincial tax rate for the entire year.

What are some strategies to minimize capital gains tax?

Common strategies include: (1) Holding investments in a TFSA where gains are tax-free. (2) Tax-loss harvesting — selling losers to offset gains. (3) Timing sales to low-income years. (4) Donating appreciated securities to charity (no capital gains tax + donation credit). (5) Using the principal residence exemption for your home. (6) Claiming the LCGE on qualifying small business shares. (7) Splitting gains across tax years when possible.

Nova Scotia Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026

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Capital Gains Tax in Nova Scotia

Top CG Rate

27.00%

Combined marginal rate on capital gains

Effective Rate at Median

15.8%

~$70K income + $50K gain

Inclusion Rate

50%

Federal, for individuals

Overview

Nova Scotia has one of the highest combined marginal tax rates in Canada. With five provincial brackets reaching 21% on income over $150,000, the combined top marginal capital gains rate reaches 27.00%. This makes tax planning particularly important for Nova Scotia residents with significant capital gains.

Nova Scotia Capital Gains Specifics

Nova Scotia's high top marginal rate means large capital gains can trigger a significant tax bill. Consider spreading asset sales across tax years when possible. Nova Scotia does not offer province-specific capital gains relief beyond the federal rules. The Affordable Living Tax Credit provides some offset for lower-income residents.

How Nova Scotia Compares

Province	Top CG Rate
Nunavut	22.25%
Northwest Territories	23.53%
Saskatchewan	23.75%
Alberta	24.00%
Yukon	24.00%
Manitoba	25.08%
Prince Edward Island	25.29%
Quebec	26.65%
New Brunswick	26.65%
British Columbia	26.75%
Ontario	26.76%
Nova Scotia	27.00%
Newfoundland & Labrador	27.40%

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Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

How are capital gains taxed in Canada?

What is the capital gains inclusion rate for 2026?

How do I calculate my capital gain?

What is NOT a capital gain in Canada?

Is selling my home a capital gain?

Are gains in my TFSA or RRSP taxable?

Can I use capital losses to reduce my taxes?

What is the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?

How is cryptocurrency taxed in Canada?

When do I report capital gains to the CRA?

Does the province I live in affect my capital gains tax?

What are some strategies to minimize capital gains tax?