What the gross rate has to cover
A net quote is the money your nanny actually brings home, and that's a fair way for them to think about pay. Payroll deductions work the other way around: they're calculated from gross pay. So to give your nanny the take-home pay you agreed on, you have to gross it up.
This calculator does that with 2026 CRA rates for federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, CPP2 and EI. You can add vacation pay to each cheque at 4%, 6%, or a custom percent. It uses the basic TD1 amounts, so if your nanny claims extra credits on their TD1 forms, their tax will be a little lower. On top of the paycheque, it adds what you pay as the employer: matching CPP, employer EI, and an estimated workers' compensation premium when this estimate includes one.
If you're still working out the details, read
how to hire a nanny in Canada
before you write the wage into a contract, and
do you need to pay nanny taxes in Canada
if you're not sure yet that this counts as employment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert my nanny's net pay to gross pay? +
Enter the take-home pay you agreed on, how often it's paid, the hours per week and your province. The calculator uses 2026 CRA payroll formulas to work out the gross hourly rate and the gross amount for that pay period, so your nanny takes home what you promised.
Which deductions does the nanny net pay calculator include? +
On your nanny's side, it shows federal income tax, provincial income tax, CPP, CPP2 once earnings pass the first yearly CPP limit, and EI. On your side as the employer, it adds matching CPP, employer EI and an estimated WSIB or WCB premium.
Does this include vacation pay? +
Yes, if you want it to. You can add vacation pay to each cheque at 4%, 6%, or a custom percent, and the calculator includes it when it grosses up the net pay and totals your cost to employ.
Why might my nanny's actual tax be different? +
The calculator uses the basic TD1 amounts. If your nanny claims extra credits on their federal or provincial TD1 forms, the tax taken from each cheque will be a little lower than shown here.
Why is WCB zero in Nova Scotia? +
In Nova Scotia, WCB coverage is mandatory for employers in a mandatory industry with 3 or more workers at the same time. A household with one nanny falls under that threshold, so the premium is left out unless you choose voluntary coverage. Domestic work of 24 hours or less a week is also outside Nova Scotia's general minimum wage.
Can RoostPay run my nanny's pay for me? +
Yes. RoostPay is an app for Canadian families who employ a nanny or caregiver. It calculates each pay, prepares T4s and keeps the payroll records you need. Start a free 30-day trial when you're ready to go from estimating pay to running it.
Let the app handle each pay
RoostPay works out every paycheque for you, prepares T4s at year end and keeps your household payroll records in one place. Try it with a free 30-day trial.
