🧾 Sales Tax / HST
Calculate tax amount and total price
How it works
Canada does not have one sales tax — it has a patchwork. Some provinces use the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), a single combined federal-provincial tax. Others charge the 5% federal GST plus a separate provincial tax (PST, or QST in Quebec). The territories and Alberta charge only the 5% GST. This calculator applies the right rate for your province so the "plus tax" surprise at the checkout never surprises you.
The differences are real money. On a $1,000 purchase you would pay $50 in tax in Alberta, $130 in Ontario, $150 in Nova Scotia, and about $150 in Quebec — a $100 swing on the same item depending on where you buy it.
The formula
For most provinces: total = price × (1 + tax rate). Current rates: Ontario 13% HST; New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI 15% HST; British Columbia 12% (5% GST + 7% PST); Saskatchewan 11% (5% + 6%); Manitoba 12% (5% + 7%); Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon 5% GST only. Quebec is special: 5% GST plus 9.975% QST calculated on the GST-included price, for a combined 14.975% — so total = price × 1.05 × 1.09975.
Worked example
A $200 jacket: in Ontario, $200 × 1.13 = $226.00. In Alberta, $200 × 1.05 = $210.00. In Quebec: $200 × 1.05 = $210.00, then QST of $210 × 0.09975 = $20.95, for a total of $230.95. Same jacket, three prices.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Quebec calculated differently?
Quebec's QST applies to the price including GST, so the taxes compound slightly instead of simply adding. It is the only province that does it this way, and it is why Quebec's effective rate (14.975%) is not a round number.
Are some things tax-free?
Yes. Basic groceries, many medical services, and prescription drugs are generally zero-rated or exempt across Canada. Rules vary by province for things like children's clothing, books, and restaurant meals.
Do I pay PST on used goods from a private seller?
It depends on the province and the item. BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba generally charge PST on private vehicle sales, for example, while Alberta has no PST at all. Check your province's rules before a big private purchase.