Self-Employed Tax Guide — New Brunswick
Atlantic opportunity — HST province with a growing tech sector and ACOA support.
Last reviewed:
Guidance, not advice. We explain the rules, we don't assess your situation. Always seek financial or tax advice from your accountant, or contact CRA. Read our editorial scope →
1. Provincial / territorial income tax brackets — 2025
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $51,306 | 9.40% |
| $51,306 – $102,614 | 14.00% |
| $102,614 – $190,060 | 16.00% |
| Above $190,060 | 19.50% |
Basic Personal Amount: $13,396. Top combined federal+provincial marginal rate: 52.50%.
2. Sales tax — HST
Combined rate 15.00% (HST 15.0%). Single CRA registration covers both federal and provincial sales tax.
3. CPP / QPP & EI
Standard federal Canada Pension Plan applies (11.9% self-employed on YMPE band; CPP2 above). EI is optional for self-employed via voluntary opt-in.
4. Employer Health Tax
No Employer Health Tax — a real cost advantage for businesses scaling past the first employees compared to ON, BC, MB and NL.
5. Workers' Compensation
Body: WorkSafeNB. Coverage is typically mandatory for any business with employees and for construction-industry sole proprietors regardless of staff status. Most other self-employed can elect optional personal coverage.
6. Business registration
Body: Service New Brunswick. Typical filing cost $120. Sole proprietors operating under their own legal name may be exempt from registration.
7. Minimum wage 2025
$15.90/hour.
8. Employment standards highlights
- Vacation: 2 weeks (4%), 3 weeks (6%) after 8 years
- Overtime threshold: 44 hours/week
- Statutory holidays: 8
9. Provincial credits & programs
- New Brunswick Small Business Investor Tax Credit (50% non-refundable to investors)
- Research and Development Tax Credit (15% refundable for CCPCs)
- Cultural Industries Investor Tax Credit
- Workforce Expansion programs (wage subsidies to hire)
10. Trade licensing
New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification (NBAOC) regulates designated trades. Compulsory trades include electrician, plumber, oil burner mechanic, refrigeration & A/C and steamfitter/pipefitter.
11. Corporate small-business rate
Provincial SBD rate 2.50% + federal 9% = combined 11.50% on active business income up to the small business limit ($500,000 federal). General corporate combined rate 29.00%.
Why self-employed choose New Brunswick
New Brunswick combines Atlantic Canada's grant ecosystem (ACOA, regional development) with HST simplicity and no EHT. Best fit for export-facing tech firms and bilingual service businesses that can leverage the Maritime-Acadian market into wider Atlantic trade.
Calculators (pre-populated with New Brunswick)
- Income Tax Calculator → New Brunswick
- Salary vs Dividend → New Brunswick
- CPP / EI → New Brunswick
- Provincial Comparison table
Other provinces & territories
- Ontario — Canada's most populous province — largest market, highest compliance burden.
- British Columbia — Tech hub tax environment — seven brackets, high top rate, strong public services.
- Alberta — Canada's most tax-competitive province — no PST, no EHT, lowest top rate of any province with retail PST regime.
- Saskatchewan — Low SBD rate, simple bracket structure, growing economy.
- Manitoba — Moderate rates, competitive for small employers, frozen BPA.
- Nova Scotia — Highest top rates in Atlantic Canada, but NS-specific credits and a recent HST cut soften the bill.
- Québec — dual filing (T1 + TP-1), QPP, QPIP, federal abatement
- All jurisdictions →
Last reviewed: