HST Sales Tax Calculator 2026 - Nova Scotia

Calculate your sales tax in Nova Scotia instantly. Updated for 2026, our tool uses the new 14% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) rate. Enter your before-tax amount below, or toggle the reverse calculator to extract the 14% tax from your final receipt total.

Amount
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HST rate
%
PST rate
%
In Nova Scotia, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the 14% Harmonized Sales Tax on behalf of both the federal and provincial governments.
Before-tax amount
$
HST amount
$
PST amount
$
After-tax total
$
Sales tax by province
Province / territory After-tax total
Need to calculate with another province?

How the Nova Scotia Sales Tax Calculator Works

This calculator estimates the sales tax breakdown for purchases in Nova Scotia. Enter a before-tax amount (default) or switch to tax-included to reverse-calculate the subtotal.

  • Standard calculation: Enter your before-tax amount. Whether you are shopping in Halifax or Sydney, the calculator automatically applies the new 14% HST rate to show your final cost.
  • Reverse calculation (tax included): Turn on “Amount includes tax?”. Enter the total you paid, and the calculator works backward to separate the 14% HST from the original pre-tax sticker price.

Understanding HST in Nova Scotia

The new 14% rate is composed of 5% federal GST and a reduced 9% provincial portion. This reduction applies to almost all consumer goods and services.

Retail prices displayed in Nova Scotian stores typically do not include the 14% HST. You must always account for this extra charge at the checkout counter. If you need to figure out the tax portion of a paid invoice, simply use our 'Amount includes tax?' toggle.

Rates 2026

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.

With the recent rate drop to 14%, Nova Scotia now boasts a competitive edge and the lowest sales tax rate east of Ontario.

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 Nova Scotia (before tax and tax included)

The exact calculation formula in Nova Scotia is: Total = Amount × 1.14. To reverse this and find the pre-tax amount from a final receipt, just divide the total by 1.14.

Total including tax = Before-tax amount × (1 + 14%)
Before-tax amount = Total including tax ÷ (1 + 14%)

Rules & Exemptions

  • Children’s clothing, footwear, and diapers receive an immediate rebate of the provincial portion. You pay only the 5% federal tax.
  • Residential heating energy also receives a rebate of the provincial portion.

FAQ - Nova Scotia 2026

When did the tax rate change to 14%?

The reduction from 15% to 14% took effect on April 1, 2025.

Are diapers taxed in Nova Scotia?

Diapers are exempt from the provincial portion of the HST. You pay only the 5% federal portion.

Do I pay 14% on children's shoes?

No. Children's footwear receives a rebate at the register, lowering the effective tax rate to just 5%.