GST HST Calculator Canada — Calculate Federal Sales Tax
Calculate GST and HST on purchases across all Canadian provinces. See which provinces charge GST only HST or PST plus GST.
Canada sales tax system varies by province: some charge only 5% federal GST others charge combined HST (13-15%) and some charge separate GST + provincial PST. Alberta has the lowest sales tax at 5% GST only while Nova Scotia and PEI have the highest at 15% HST. Understanding these differences helps with purchase planning especially for big-ticket items where the tax difference can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
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Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| GST (Federal) | 5% across all provinces |
| HST (ON NB NL NS PEI) | 13% - 15% combined |
| GST + PST (BC SK MB QC) | 5% GST + 6-9.975% PST |
| Alberta | 5% GST only (no provincial) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is sales tax on a $50000 car in Ontario?
In Ontario (13% HST): $50000 x 13% = $6500 in HST. In Alberta (5% GST only): $50000 x 5% = $2500. In BC (5% GST + 7% PST = 12%): $50000 x 12% = $6000. Buying in Alberta saves $4000 compared to Ontario. However most provinces charge tax based on where you register the vehicle not where you buy it so cross-border shopping has limited benefit for vehicles.
Which province has the lowest sales tax?
Alberta has the lowest at 5% GST only with no provincial sales tax. This makes Alberta the cheapest province for purchases especially big-ticket items. The territories (Yukon NWT Nunavut) also charge only 5% GST. British Columbia at 12% combined and Saskatchewan at 11% are next lowest. Nova Scotia PEI and Newfoundland at 15% HST are highest.
Do businesses get GST/HST back?
Yes registered businesses can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) to recover GST/HST paid on business expenses and purchases. This means GST/HST is effectively only paid by the end consumer not by businesses in the supply chain. To claim ITCs your business must be registered for GST/HST (mandatory if revenue exceeds $30000 in any 4 consecutive quarters).
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Last updated: March 2026