How the Canada Sales Tax Calculator Works
This calculator covers all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. Select your province to apply the precise regional rate — from 5% GST (Alberta and territories) to 15% HST (Atlantic provinces). The breakdown separates federal and provincial portions, which is essential for businesses claiming Input Tax Credits (ITCs) or tracking inter-provincial sales.
- Standard calculation: Enter your before-tax amount. Depending on where you are—like Toronto (13% HST), Montreal (14.975% QST/GST), or Calgary (5% GST)—the calculator applies the exact regional rate to show your final cost.
- Reverse calculation (tax included): Turn on “Amount includes tax?”. If you have a total receipt, the tool works backward to separate the base price from the federal and provincial tax portions.
Understanding Sales Taxes in Canada
This tool allows you to instantly calculate sales tax totals for any transaction in Canada. It supports all provincial configurations, including GST (Goods and Services Tax), HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), PST (Provincial Sales Tax), and Quebec's specific QST.
Canada's sales tax system operates under three distinct administrative models: (1) HST provinces (Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, PEI) remit a single combined return to the CRA; (2) PST provinces (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) require separate registrations — CRA for GST, province for PST; (3) Quebec, where Revenu Québec administers both GST and QST. Choosing the wrong filing model is one of the most common compliance errors for businesses expanding across provincial borders.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax): A federal value‑added tax of 5% that applies in every province and territory.
- HST (Harmonized Sales Tax): A single combined tax used in some provinces, collected as one rate (for example, Ontario uses HST).
- PST (Provincial Sales Tax): A separate provincial retail sales tax charged in addition to GST in some provinces.
- QST (Quebec Sales Tax): Quebec’s provincial sales tax, administered by Revenu Quebec, charged alongside GST.
Unlike many European or international markets, sticker prices on retail shelves in Canada almost never include sales tax. You must always account for the additional 5% to 15% charge at the checkout register. If you need to extract the tax from a final receipt, use the “Amount includes tax?” toggle.
This table provides an overview of Canada's sales tax rates for 2026, broken down by province and
territory. It shows how the GST combines with provincial taxes - including
HST, PST, and QST - to determine the total sales tax rate applied to purchases across Canada.
The Total column reflects the combined tax rate consumers typically pay at checkout, helping
individuals and
businesses quickly estimate the final cost of goods and services depending on location.
Sales tax rates across Canada range from a low of 5% in Alberta and the territories, up to a high of 15% in the Atlantic provinces.
| Province / territory |
GST / HST |
PST |
QST |
Total |
| Alberta (AB) |
5% |
0% |
- |
5% |
| British Columbia (BC) |
5% |
7% |
- |
12% |
| Manitoba (MB) |
5% |
7% |
- |
12% |
| New Brunswick (NB) |
15% |
- |
- |
15% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) |
15% |
- |
- |
15% |
| Nova Scotia (NS) |
14% |
- |
- |
14% |
| Northwest Territories (NT) |
5% |
0% |
- |
5% |
| Nunavut (NU) |
5% |
0% |
- |
5% |
| Ontario (ON) |
13% |
- |
- |
13% |
| Prince Edward Island (PE) |
15% |
- |
- |
15% |
| Quebec (QC) |
5% |
- |
9.975% |
14.975% |
| Saskatchewan (SK) |
5% |
6% |
- |
11% |
| Yukon (YT) |
5% |
0% |
- |
5% |
Rates shown are based
on the most commonly applied public tax rates and may vary for certain goods, services,
or tax-exempt situations.
How to calculate sales tax in Canada (before tax and tax included)
The general formula across Canada is: Total = Amount × (1 + Regional Tax Rate). Concrete examples on a $100 purchase: Alberta $105 (5%); Ontario $113 (13%); Quebec $114.98 (14.975%); Nova Scotia $114 (14%); NB/NL/PEI $115 (15%). To reverse any Canadian receipt, divide by the multiplier for your province.
Total including tax = Before-tax amount × (1 + total tax rate)
Before-tax amount = Total including tax ÷ (1 + total tax rate)
Rules & Exemptions
- Basic groceries and prescription drugs are zero-rated (tax-free) across all of Canada.
- Certain services, like medical and dental care, are exempt from sales tax nationwide.
FAQ - Canada 2026
What's the difference between GST and HST?
GST is the federal 5% tax. HST is a harmonized tax used in some provinces that combines GST with the provincial portion into a single rate.
What is QST (Quebec Sales Tax)?
QST is Quebec's provincial consumption tax. For most purchases in Quebec, you'll see GST (5%) plus QST (9.975%) calculated on the price excluding GST.
Why is my receipt different from the calculator?
Some goods/services can be zero-rated or exempt, and some businesses may apply category-specific rules. Rounding and register settings can also create small differences.
Can I calculate the before-tax price from a tax-included total?
Yes. Enable the amount-includes-tax toggle and the calculator estimates the before-tax amount by reversing the total rate.
Which provinces have a separate PST?
British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan generally apply a separate PST on top of GST. Quebec applies QST instead of PST, alongside GST.
Are these rates always up to date?
Rates can change. Always confirm official sources for compliance, especially for business filings.
