Calculate the sales tax (GST, HST, or PST) and total price for a purchase based on the item price and tax rate.
This calculator adds sales tax to an item's price to show the tax amount and the total you'd pay - useful for GST, HST, or PST (or a combination), since Canada's sales tax system varies by province.
Sales tax is a straightforward percentage of the pre-tax price, added to that price to get the total.
Formula: Tax Amount = Item Price × (Tax Rate ÷ 100). Total Price = Item Price + Tax Amount.
Example: A CA$100 item at a 13% tax rate (the default, representing Ontario's HST) would have CA$13.00 in tax, for a total price of CA$113.00. (Note: this example uses Ontario's rate for illustration - enter your own province's rate for an accurate result.)
Canada's sales tax system combines a federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% with provincial sales taxes that vary significantly by province. Some provinces have harmonized their provincial sales tax with the GST into a single Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): Ontario charges 13% HST, while New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island charge 15% HST. Other provinces charge GST plus a separate Provincial Sales Tax (PST): British Columbia (5% GST + 7% PST = 12%), Saskatchewan (5% GST + 6% PST = 11%), and Manitoba (5% GST + 7% Retail Sales Tax = 12%). Quebec charges 5% GST plus 9.975% Quebec Sales Tax (QST), for a combined rate of about 14.975%. Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut charge only the 5% federal GST, with no territorial or provincial sales tax. Note that some items are exempt or zero-rated under GST/HST (such as basic groceries, prescription drugs, and certain medical devices), and some provinces apply PST to a narrower or different set of goods and services than GST/HST applies to - so the applicable rate can depend on what you're buying, not just where you are.
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a 5% federal tax that applies across Canada. PST (Provincial Sales Tax) is a separate tax charged by some provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) in addition to GST. HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is a single combined tax used by provinces that have merged their provincial tax with the GST into one rate (Ontario at 13%, and the Atlantic provinces at 15%). Quebec uses its own QST alongside GST.
Rates vary: Ontario charges 13% HST; New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI charge 15% HST; British Columbia charges 12% (5% GST + 7% PST); Saskatchewan charges 11% (5% GST + 6% PST); Manitoba charges 12% (5% GST + 7% RST); Quebec charges about 14.975% (5% GST + 9.975% QST); and Alberta, Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut charge only 5% GST with no provincial sales tax. Always verify the current rate, as these can change.
No - many provinces exempt or zero-rate certain items from GST/HST or PST, such as basic groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical devices, which are commonly GST/HST-exempt across Canada. PST rules vary further by province and may apply to a different set of goods and services than GST/HST. Always check the specific tax treatment for the item or service you're purchasing.
Yes - simply enter the total combined rate that applies. For HST provinces, enter the single HST rate (13% or 15%). For provinces with GST + PST, enter the combined total (for example, 12% for BC's 5% GST + 7% PST). The calculator applies whatever single rate you enter to the price.
Divide the tax-included total by (1 + tax rate as a decimal). For example, if a total of CA\$113.00 includes 13% HST, the pre-tax price would be 113 ÷ 1.13 = CA\$100.00. This calculator works in the opposite direction (price before tax → total), but the formula can be rearranged for this case.
Generally, for purchases from Canadian retailers and many online platforms, sales tax is charged based on the buyer's province of residence or the delivery address, not necessarily the seller's location - though specific rules can vary depending on the seller's registration status and the type of goods or services.
Disclaimer: The information and rates provided on this page are for educational and illustrative purposes only and do not constitute tax advice. Sales tax rates and rules vary by province, by the type of goods or services, and can change over time. Always verify current GST, HST, PST, or QST rates with the relevant federal or provincial tax authority, or consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.