Canada (North America) and Mexico (Latin America) operate very different payroll systems, which makes a direct salary comparison interesting. On a $90,000 gross, the effective tax burden in Canada is roughly 14.1% higher than in Mexico — driven by differences in CPP vs IMSS, bracket structure, and personal allowance.
Same nominal gross applied to both tax systems. Currencies aren't FX-converted — compare structures, not purchasing power.
Canada layers federal income tax on top of provincial income tax — Quebec, Ontario, BC, and Alberta all differ significantly. This estimate covers only the federal portion plus CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and EI (Employment Insurance), capped at the yearly maximum pensionable earnings. Add 10–25% provincial tax for a complete picture.
Mexico's ISR income tax uses an 11-band sliding scale with a top rate of 35%. Employee IMSS social contributions are modest (~3%); the employer covers the lion's share. A subsidio para el empleo helps low earners. State payroll taxes are charged to the employer, not the worker.
Pre-calculated breakdowns at common pay levels in Canada — open either side for the full page.
Last updated: 2026. Estimates only — see the disclaimer above.