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Tax in Vancouver means federal tax, British Columbia tax and sales tax, because the city doesn’t charge its own income tax. On $60,000 of taxable income you’d owe about $9,015 in total for 2026, made up of $6,193 federal and $2,822 for BC. At the till you pay 12% on most taxable goods, which is 5% GST plus 7% PST.
How much income tax does BC charge?
BC uses seven brackets. The lowest rate for 2026 is 5.6% on the BC government’s tax page. The Canada Revenue Agency’s payroll tables use a different lowest rate early in the year and a higher one from July, arranged so the year averages out, so your pay stub may not match the return exactly.
| Taxable income | BC rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $50,363 | 5.6% |
| $50,363 to $100,728 | 7.7% |
| $100,728 to $115,648 | 10.5% |
| $115,648 to $140,430 | 12.29% |
| $140,430 to $190,405 | 14.7% |
| $190,405 to $265,545 | 16.8% |
| Over $265,545 | 20.5% |
The basic personal amount is $13,216, which takes about $740 off the BC bill. There’s also a BC tax reduction credit for lower incomes, worth up to $690 and gone by roughly $44,952 of income.
What does a Vancouver salary actually pay?
Here are the totals from the engine on taxable income, claiming only the basic personal amount. The federal column is the same anywhere in Canada.
| Taxable income | Federal | BC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $3,297 | $1,324 | $4,620 |
| $60,000 | $6,193 | $2,822 | $9,015 |
| $80,000 | $10,293 | $4,362 | $14,655 |
| $100,000 | $14,393 | $5,902 | $20,295 |
| $150,000 | $26,455 | $11,977 | $38,433 |
The same $100,000 in Ontario comes to $21,521 (with a health premium and surtax), so the BC bill is about $1,226 lower. That’s only a comparison of income tax, and rent in Vancouver is a whole different conversation.
These figures start from taxable income, which is lower than your pay once deductions such as the extra CPP contribution come off. To start from your gross pay, use the income tax calculator and choose BC. For what lands in your bank account, use the take-home pay calculator.
How does sales tax work in Vancouver?
A $1,000 purchase that’s fully taxable comes to $1,120: $50 GST and $70 PST. The GST and PST calculator shows the split, though it taxes every amount at 12%, so it overstates the tax on anything with different treatment, restaurant food for one.
BC had planned to extend PST to some professional services, including accounting and engineering. As of September 21, 2026 the province says that expansion is paused. If you hire an accountant in Vancouver, you shouldn’t see PST on the bill for now.
What about property tax and buying a home?
Property tax is the one tax the city sets itself. We couldn’t find a city rate we could check, so we won’t quote one. Get the current rate from the City of Vancouver or your tax notice, then enter it in the property tax calculator with your assessed value.
Buying has its own tax, the BC property transfer tax. The property transfer tax calculator handles the bands and the first-time buyer rules for BC. Add the rest of your closing bills with the closing costs calculator.
Mistakes to avoid
Don’t assume Vancouver adds a city income tax on top, because it doesn’t. Don’t compare pay stubs across provinces either, since BC’s payroll rate changes mid-year. And don’t forget that these tables use taxable income. Your RRSP, union dues and other deductions all lower the number before tax is applied.
If your income is under about $45,000, check the BC tax reduction credit. It’s automatic in most software, but it explains why low earners pay less BC tax than the brackets suggest.
We didn’t look at local levies such as transit or parking fees and we don’t have confirmed figures for them.
Where the numbers come from
The BC brackets, basic personal amount, tax reduction credit and PST information come from the Government of British Columbia’s tax pages, and the federal brackets come from the Canada Revenue Agency’s 2026 rates page. The payroll rate notes come from the CRA’s T4032BC tables. The totals come from our calculator engine. This site isn’t connected with any government.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vancouver have its own income tax?
No. You pay federal tax and British Columbia tax. The city's own charge is property tax.
How much tax do I pay on $60,000 in Vancouver?
About $9,015 on taxable income, $6,193 federal and $2,822 BC, with only the basic personal amount claimed.
What is the sales tax in Vancouver?
GST of 5% plus PST of 7%, so 12% on most taxable goods.
What is BC's lowest tax rate in 2026?
The BC government's tax page shows 5.6%. CRA payroll tables use a different rate during the year.
Is PST being added to accounting services in BC?
BC says the expansion to accounting and some other services is paused as of September 21, 2026.
- How Canadian income tax works: brackets and credits
How federal and provincial Canadian income tax stack up, what marginal and average rates mean, and how credits and deductions change your bill
- British Columbia income tax and PST in 2026
How British Columbia income tax works in 2026: seven brackets starting at 5.6%, the tax reduction credit, the 7% PST and the BC calculators
Information only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns or offer tax services, and we have no connection with the CRA, Revenu Québec, any government or any company named on this page. Check the figures that matter with an official source or a qualified professional.