Canada vs Singapore taxes (2026): departure tax and CGT

Canada vs Singapore tax rates at a glance

Tax	🇨🇦 Canada	🇸🇬 Singapore
Income tax	Personal income tax: 14% - 54.8% Federal bracket 1: 14% Federal bracket 2: 20.5% Federal bracket 3: 26% Federal bracket 4: 29% Federal bracket 5: 33% Combined top marginal rate: About 44.5% - 54.8%	Resident income tax: 0% - 24% Non-resident income tax: 24% Employment concession: 15% or resident rates Foreign income: 0% / limited exceptions CPF employee: 20% CPF employer: 17%
Corporate tax	Corporate tax: 23% - 30% Federal general corporate tax: 15% Federal CCPC small-business rate: 9% Alberta general corporate tax: 8% Alberta small-business tax: 2% Large-group minimum tax: 15%	Corporate income tax: 17% Start-up exemption: Up to S$125,000 Partial exemption: Up to S$102,500 YA 2026 rebate: 50% GST: 9% Dividend withholding tax: 0%
Capital gains tax	Capital gains tax: 50% inclusion General capital-gains inclusion: 50% Tax on the included amount: Marginal rates Principal residence: Potential exemption Lifetime capital gains exemption: Indexed from $1.25m	Capital gains tax: 0% Crypto gains tax: 0% Share gains tax: 0% Property gains tax: 0%
Dividend tax	Dividend tax: Integrated Eligible dividend gross-up: 38% Non-eligible dividend gross-up: 15% Resident dividend tax: Marginal rates after credits Non-resident domestic withholding: 25%	Dividend withholding tax: 0% Domestic dividends: 0% Foreign dividends: 0% / limited cases
Wealth tax	Wealth tax: 0% General net wealth tax: 0% Federal Underused Housing Tax: 1% for 2022 - 2024 Municipal property tax: Local rates Capital-gains inclusion: 50%	Net wealth tax: 0% Net worth tax: 0% Annual asset tax: 0%
Inheritance / estate tax	Inheritance tax: 0% Federal inheritance tax: 0% Tax on deemed capital gains: 50% inclusion Spouse or partner transfer: Potential rollover Probate or estate administration: Provincial rates	Inheritance tax: 0% Estate duty: 0% Gift tax: 0% Probate tax: 0%
VAT / GST / sales tax	GST/HST: 5% - 15%	GST: 9%
Other key taxes	Combined top personal marginal rate: About 44.5% - 54.8% Federal CCPC small-business rate: 9% Capital-gains inclusion rate: 50% Non-resident Part XIII withholding: 25%	None listed on country overview
Standard GST	5% - 15% GST/HST	9%
Leaving the country	Departure tax on many unrealised gains	No general personal CGT on typical share gains

Who wins on each tax

Personal income taxSingapore

Singapore's resident top rate is 24%; Canada's combined top marginal rates run about 44.5% to 54.8%.

Corporate taxSingapore

Singapore's 17% rate is below Canada's 15% federal general rate plus provincial tax, which typically produces about 23% to 30% combined.

Capital gains taxSingapore

Singapore generally has no personal CGT on typical share gains; Canada includes 50% of a gain in income at marginal rates.

VAT / GSTCanada

Canadian GST/HST is 5% to 15% by province; Singapore GST is 9%, so a 5% GST province can be lighter on consumption tax.

The verdict

Singapore is the lower ongoing tax base. Resident individuals pay 0% to 24%, companies pay 17%, and typical personal share gains are not taxed as capital gains. Canadian residents face federal rates of 14% to 33% and combined top rates of about 44.5% to 54.8% by province, with a 50% capital-gains inclusion.

The non-rate constraint is Canada's departure tax. Ceasing Canadian residence can trigger a deemed disposition of many assets at fair market value. Singapore's lack of general personal CGT does not erase that Canadian exit bill on unrealised gains.

Choose Singapore for a lighter personal cap, 17% companies and typical portfolio gains outside CGT, if you can actually break Canadian residence. Choose Canada when the province, market or immigration path is the reason to stay, and do not treat a Singapore company as an exit plan until departure tax is modelled.

How to read this comparison

Canada taxes residents on worldwide income through a federal and provincial stack. Federal personal rates for 2026 are 14% to 33%. Combined top marginal rates range from about 44.5% to 54.8% depending on the province or territory. Companies generally pay 15% federal tax on general-rate income, or 9% federal tax on eligible CCPC active-business income, plus provincial corporate tax. Individuals include 50% of most capital gains in income. GST/HST is 5% to 15%. There is no general annual wealth tax and no separate federal inheritance tax, but death and departure both use deemed-disposition mechanics.

Singapore is lighter on the taxes that usually dominate a founder's model: 0% to 24% personal tax, 17% corporate tax, generally no personal capital gains tax on typical share gains, no estate tax, and 9% GST. Ordinary Singapore-company dividends are one-tier exempt. Foreign income received in Singapore can still be taxable for individuals in specific cases, so receipt rules are not a free pass.

The constraint is the Canadian exit, not Singapore's GST. When you cease Canadian residence, many assets are deemed sold at fair market value. Unrealised public-share and private-company gains can be taxed in Canada even if you never sell, and even if Singapore would not tax the same gain later. Canadian real estate and several registered or Canadian-business assets are excluded from the normal rule, but valuation, filing and security for the tax can still be heavy. A 183-day presence rule can create deemed residence, and a home, spouse or dependants can keep you resident with fewer days.

Choose Singapore if the ongoing 24% and 17% stack is the point and you can actually break Canadian ties. Choose Canada if the province, customers or immigration path is the reason to stay. GST can favour a 5% Canadian province over Singapore's 9%, but that consumption-tax edge rarely outweighs departure tax on a large portfolio. Model the deemed disposition before you treat Singapore as a capital-gains solution.

Which one fits you

🇨🇦 Choose Canada if you're a…

Founders whose customers and talent are Canadian
Residents of lower-GST provinces who will not leave
People who cannot fund a deemed-disposition exit

🇸🇬 Choose Singapore if you're a…

Investors with large unrealised share portfolios, after modelling departure tax
Regional HQs that need Singapore banking and treaties
High earners who can cease Canadian residence in fact

Frequently asked questions

Is Canada or Singapore better for tax?

Singapore is usually better for personal income tax, corporate tax and typical share gains. Canada can be better on GST in a 5% province, and it is the better commercial home when the market is Canadian.

Does Singapore tax capital gains on shares?

Singapore generally does not tax personal capital gains on typical share investments. Gains can still be taxed if the activity is trading or business in nature.

Will moving to Singapore avoid Canadian tax on my shares?

Not automatically. Canada's departure tax can treat many shares as sold at fair market value when you cease residence. Singapore's 0% CGT applies after you are no longer a Canadian resident, and it does not cancel the Canadian deemed disposition.