Real Estate Commission Calculator — Canada
Find out exactly what you take home from a deal after your brokerage split, transaction fees, and estimated taxes.
For common Canadian inputs, this calculator estimates net take-home in roughly the 40–60% range of the gross commission after brokerage split, transaction fees, HST/GST remitted to the CRA, and an estimated income-tax portion.
Per-Deal Commission Calculator
Estimate based on 2026 published CRA rates
Your estimated take-home from this deal:
$5,415
after brokerage split, fees, HST, and estimated income tax
That's 43% of your gross commission — the rest goes to your brokerage, the CRA, and fees.
Gross Commission
$12,500
After Brokerage Split
$10,000
After Transaction Fees
$9,500
View full breakdown
Income tax estimate uses a ~30% blended rate. Actual rate depends on total annual income and province. For a more precise estimate, see our tax calculator. This is an estimate based on rules published by the CRA. Verify with your accountant before making any filing or financial decision.
How real estate commission works in Canada
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says realtor commissions may be negotiable and typically range from 2% to 6% of the sale price, depending on location[4]. The rate, and how it is shared between the listing brokerage and the buyer's brokerage, is set by agreement.
But that's the gross number. Before an agent sees any of it, the brokerage takes the split set in your agreement. Then come per-deal transaction fees, desk fees, and E&O insurance. After that, the CRA wants their share: HST/GST on the commission itself[2], plus income tax on what's left.
As an illustration: a $500,000 sale at 2.5% commission produces $12,500 gross. After an 80/20 brokerage split, a $500 transaction fee, Ontario's 13% HST collected and remitted, and a 30% blended income-tax estimate, the calculator below estimates a net take-home in the $5,000–$6,000 range. Actual outcomes vary with split, fees, province, and marginal tax rate.
What affects your take-home
- 1. Commission rate — Varies by market, brokerage, and negotiation with clients. Buyer-side rates are evolving as transparency rules change.
- 2. Brokerage split — Could be a flat desk fee, a percentage split (70/30, 80/20, etc.), or a cap-based model where you keep 100% after hitting a threshold.
- 3. Transaction fees — Many brokerages charge $200–$800 per deal on top of the split. Some also charge technology or admin fees.
- 4. HST/GST — Per CRA, GST/HST registration is required once revenue from worldwide taxable supplies, before expenses, is over $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over the last four consecutive calendar quarters. At or under that limit a person is a small supplier and registration is optional.[1] Per CRA, the GST/HST rate to charge depends on the province or territory where the supply is made: 13% HST in Ontario, 14% HST in Nova Scotia, 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, and 5% GST in the other provinces and territories.[2][5] Returns are filed with CRA on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis depending on revenue[3].
- 5. Income tax — Federal plus provincial, calculated on your net self-employment income. Rates vary significantly by province and total annual income.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average real estate commission in Canada?
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says realtor commissions may be negotiable and typically range from 2% to 6% of the sale price, depending on location[4]. The rate, and how it is shared between the listing brokerage and the buyer's brokerage, is set by agreement. The calculator works from the rate entered for one side.
Do I have to pay HST on my commission?
Per CRA, GST/HST registration is required once revenue from worldwide taxable supplies, before expenses, is over $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over the last four consecutive calendar quarters. At or under that limit a person is a small supplier and registration is optional.[1] Per CRA, the GST/HST rate to charge depends on the province or territory where the supply is made: 13% HST in Ontario, 14% HST in Nova Scotia, 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, and 5% GST in the other provinces and territories.[2][5]
How much does a real estate agent actually keep per deal?
After brokerage splits, transaction fees, HST/GST, and income tax, the calculator estimates net take-home in roughly the 40% to 60% range of gross commission for common input combinations. As an illustration, a $500,000 sale at 2.5% commission produces $12,500 gross, with the calculator estimating a net of approximately $5,000 to $7,500 depending on split, fees, province, and marginal tax rate.
How do brokerage split structures work in Canada?
A brokerage agreement sets how commission is shared. Three structures are a percentage split (70/30 and 80/20 in the agent's favour are examples), a flat desk fee (a fixed monthly fee and you keep 100% of commission), and a cap (you pay a split until reaching a cap, then keep 100%). This calculator models a percentage split with a per-deal fee.
More resources for Canadian agents
Tax Savings Calculator
Estimate your full annual tax obligation — federal, provincial, CPP, and HST/GST.
T2125 Filing Guide
Line-by-line walkthrough for reporting self-employment income to the CRA.
Tax Planning Guide
Quarterly instalments, common deductions claimed by self-employed agents, and how CRA rules apply.
Sources
Every CRA-mechanical claim in this article (HST registration threshold, provincial HST/GST rates, GST/HST filing) and the commission range are backed by one of the sources below. CRA links hand-verified live on 2026-05-10, the commission range on 2026-10-13.
Disclaimer: This is an estimate based on rules published by the CRA. Verify with your accountant before making any filing or financial decision. The calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Commission structures, tax rates, and fees vary based on individual circumstances. Agent Runway assumes no liability for financial decisions based on these estimates.
Want to track every deal automatically?
Agent Runway logs each commission, calculates your split, and estimates the tax portion.
Email me the cheat sheet, and add me to occasional Agent Runway updates for Canadian real estate agents. Unsubscribe anytime. Sent by Agent Runway Inc., Saint John, NB, Canada.
Stop guessing what you keep
Agent Runway tracks every deal, calculates your split automatically, and estimates the tax portion of each commission. No spreadsheets. No surprises.
Want to understand the story behind Agent Runway?
Read the founder story →