SELF-EMPLOYED · QUÉBEC 2026

How much to charge
per hour?

Set the net income you want to keep. We work back through tax, contributions and your expenses to find the rate to charge.

YOUR GOAL

How much should you charge per hour?

We start from the net income you want to keep, and work back to the rate to charge.

$
$

Software, equipment, office, accountant, insurance… They add to what you need to charge.

h
wk

Count only the hours actually billed to a client — not admin, prospecting or vacation. A full-time freelancer often bills 25–30 h/week over ~46 weeks.

Tax and contributions (QPP both parts, QPIP, no EI) are estimated with the 2026 parameters. The billable-hours benchmarks are adjustable — this is not tax advice.
WHAT YOU NEED TO CHARGE
Hourly rate to charge$76.51 / hso you keep $55,000 net per year
How we get there
Net income you're aiming formoney in your pocket, after tax and contributions
$55,000
Business income requiredbefore tax, QPP (both parts) and QPIP
$79,990
+ Business expensesper year
$8,000
= Gross income to billper year
$87,990
÷ Billable hours25 h/wk × 46 wk
1150 h
A typical week of 25 h billed≈ $1,913Sales taxes (GST/QST) are added on top of this rate and are not your income.
Up to date · 2026 brackets · checked
What this calculation is based on: sources and method

What this calculation includes

  • Federal and Québec income tax (2026 brackets)
  • QPP — both portions (12.60%) and QPP2, deductible parts
  • QPIP at the self-employed rate (0.764%)
  • Workers' deduction (max $1,450)
  • No Employment Insurance contribution

Doesn't account for: Credits based on your situation (dependants, childcare, donations, medical expenses…) · Other income (investments, rental, benefits) and specific deductions · Marital status and income splitting.

Official sources

Our full methodology
GO FURTHERYour real net income, in detail

You have a target rate. Now see what's really left after taxes and contributions, then build your budget.

Calculate my self-employment income Build my budget
Or:RRSP or TFSA

A floor, not a ceiling

This rate is the minimum to reach your net target under your hours assumptions. The value of your work, your experience and your market can justify more. Adjust the billable hours to your reality — it’s the setting that changes the result the most.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my hourly rate need to be much higher than an “equivalent salary”?

Because when you work for yourself, no one is paying on your behalf. You cover both halves of the QPP (double an employee’s share), you get no paid vacation or sick days, you carry your business expenses, and above all you have many non-billable hours (admin, prospecting, bookkeeping). A rate that only covers “the salary” actually leaves you behind.

What is a “billable” hour?

It’s an hour you actually bill to a client. In a 35- to 40-hour work week, a freelancer often bills only 25 to 30: the rest goes to admin, quotes, prospecting and training. The lower your share of billable hours, the higher your rate must be to reach the same net income.

Should I add GST and QST to this rate?

Yes, if you’re registered. The taxes are added ON TOP of your rate (5% + 9.975%) and are not your income: you collect them to remit them. Use the GST/QST tool to find out whether you have to charge them and how much to remit.

Is the result exact?

It’s an estimate. The tax and contributions (QPP both halves, QPIP) use Québec’s 2026 parameters for a resident with no other income. The billable-hours benchmarks are starting points to adjust to your reality. This is not tax advice.