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How to Use the Tithe Calculator: Gross vs Net, CPP, EI, and RRSP Explained
Most Canadians who want to tithe run into the same problem within ten minutes of trying: the math is not obvious.
Your paystub shows a gross number at the top and a take-home number at the bottom, and they can differ by $800 or more per paycheque. The difference is CPP contributions, EI premiums, income tax, and any deductions you have set up. Which number should you tithe on? Which number does God actually care about?
This article explains exactly how to think through that question and how to use the Wise and Faithful Tithe Calculator to get an honest, province-adjusted answer.
In this article:
- Gross vs Net: The Central Question
- What CPP and EI Deductions Mean for Your Tithe
- How RRSP Contributions Fit In
- Provincial Differences
- How to Use the Calculator
- A Final Word on the Heart of This Question
Gross vs Net: The Central Question
The gross vs net debate is the oldest question in tithing math, and it does not have one definitive biblical answer. What Scripture gives us is a principle: the tithe is the "first fruits" — the first portion of what comes in, given before the rest is spent.
The case for gross: Your gross income represents the full provision God gave you. Tithing on net means you gave the government its share first and God second. The tithe, if it represents priority, should come from the top of what you received.
The case for net: The money withheld for tax is never really in your hands. You never touch it, never manage it, never make decisions with it. Tithing on money you did not receive feels like a theoretical exercise. Net is the income you actually steward.
A third option: Some tithe on net employment income but include bonuses, side income, and tax refunds as gross when they arrive. The refund itself is a provision — it counts.
None of these positions is clearly heretical. The question worth sitting with is not "which number lets me give less?" but "what posture does this reflect toward God's provision?" Pray about it, decide consistently, and give faithfully.
The calculator supports all three approaches — gross, net, and a custom amount.
What CPP and EI Deductions Mean for Your Tithe
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums are mandatory payroll deductions taken off every paycheque. In 2026:
- CPP is 5.95% on earnings between $3,500 and $68,500, plus the enhanced CPP2 rate on earnings up to $73,200
- EI is 1.66% on insurable earnings up to $65,700
These are not taxes in the traditional sense — CPP is deferred retirement income that comes back to you, and EI is insurance you may one day draw on. Whether you include them in your "net" calculation is a personal call, but most people think of take-home as the number after all mandatory deductions including CPP and EI.
The calculator shows you what your tithe looks like under each scenario so you can make an informed, conscious choice rather than just defaulting to whichever number is easier.
How RRSP Contributions Fit In
If you contribute to an RRSP, you are deferring income to a future date. The government gives you a deduction now; you pay tax when you withdraw in retirement.
For tithing purposes, the question is: do you tithe on your gross before RRSP, or on the amount after your RRSP contribution?
A practical approach many people use:
- Tithe on gross before RRSP. You are tithing on everything earned, treating the RRSP contribution as part of your stewardship of that income.
- Tithe on gross before RRSP, then tithe on RRSP withdrawals in retirement at whatever amount you draw down. You essentially tithe twice — once on the earning and once on the withdrawal. This is consistent with treating all provision as titheable.
The calculator lets you enter your RRSP contribution to see the difference, without prescribing which approach is correct. That remains a matter of conviction and prayer.
Provincial Differences
The calculator adjusts for provincial income tax when calculating net income, which affects what your after-tax "net" actually is. Tax rates vary significantly across Canada:
| Province | Lowest bracket | Highest bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 5.05% | 13.16% |
| British Columbia | 5.06% | 20.5% |
| Alberta | 10% flat | 15% (above $355K) |
| Quebec | 14% | 25.75% |
| Manitoba | 10.8% | 17.4% |
A teacher in Alberta and a teacher in Quebec at the same salary have meaningfully different after-tax incomes. Select your province in the calculator for an accurate net figure.
How to Use the Calculator
Enter your gross annual income. Use your T4 Box 14 number, or your annual salary before any deductions.
Select your province. This adjusts the provincial income tax calculation.
Enter your RRSP contribution (optional). Leave blank if you do not contribute to an RRSP.
Choose gross, net, or custom. The calculator will show your tithe on gross income, on after-tax net income, and on a custom amount you specify.
Read the breakdown. The results show your estimated CPP, EI, federal tax, provincial tax, and take-home — so you can see exactly where the difference between gross and net comes from.
The calculator does not store your data. Everything runs in your browser. Refresh the page and the numbers clear.
A Final Word on the Heart of This Question
The fact that you are calculating carefully is a good sign. It means you take the commitment seriously enough to think it through.
But the calculator is a tool, not a conscience. After you have the number, the real question is: what does your giving reflect about where your trust actually lives?
Proverbs 3:9 says: "Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." The word "firstfruits" is the key. It is not the leftovers, not the comfortable surplus. It is the first portion, set aside before the rest is claimed by expenses, wants, and plans.
The calculation matters. But the posture underneath it matters more.
The information in this article is for educational purposes and reflects general Canadian tax rules for 2026. Individual circumstances vary. For complex income situations, consult a qualified tax professional.