GST/HST System
The federal 5% GST applies nationwide, but provinces choose whether to piggyback their sales tax through HST administration (handled by CRA) or maintain separate provincial returns (RST/PST) through provincial ministries. Quebec is unique: businesses often deal with both CRA for GST and Revenu Québec for QST on the same transaction. Understanding who collects what is the first step before picking a calculator percentage.
Province-by-Province
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon impose only the 5% GST, making them attractive for large equipment purchases. Ontario uses 13% HST, Nova Scotia uses 14% HST from April 1, 2025, and New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and PEI use 15% HST. British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan add provincial sales tax on top of GST (commonly 12%, 12%, and 11% combined). Quebec’s combined rate is about 14.975% when both taxes apply at standard rates.
Taxable vs Zero-Rated
Basic groceries, prescription drugs, and certain medical devices are zero-rated at the federal level, but provincial components may still apply in PST provinces for some categories. Restaurant meals, catering, alcohol, and cannabis are generally fully taxable. Indigenous exemptions and point-of-sale rebates (e.g., partial HST relief in participating provinces) require specialized knowledge beyond a simple percentage.
Non-Residents
Foreign digital service providers, accommodation platforms, and marketplaces may need GST/HST registration under simplified or normal regimes once Canadian sales cross the small-supplier threshold. Consumers importing goods may see tax collected at checkout under marketplace rules.
Pick your province % then type it once
Scan the combined-rate table beside the calculator, click mentally on your province (for example 13% for Ontario), type 13 in the rate field, and run your scenario. If you live in a PST province, remember that some goods are taxed only federally — your receipt may show two lines. This tool models one blended percentage at a time.