Sales tax in Canada is a mix of a federal GST (5%) and various provincial taxes, and the combination depends entirely on the province of supply. This calculator stores the current rate set for every province and territory and produces the correct itemised breakdown for invoicing.
How it works
Provinces fall into four groups:
- HST — Ontario (13%) and the four Atlantic provinces (15%) charge a single harmonized rate that already includes the 5% federal portion.
- GST + PST — British Columbia (5% + 7%), Saskatchewan (5% + 6%) and Manitoba (5% + 7%) charge the federal GST plus a separate provincial sales tax, both on the pre-tax price.
- GST + QST — Quebec charges 5% GST plus 9.975% QST, both on the pre-tax amount.
- GST only — Alberta and the three territories charge the 5% federal GST alone.
In add mode the gross equals net × (1 + combined rate). In remove mode the net equals gross ÷ (1 + combined rate), and each component is then computed against the net amount.
Example
A CA$100 purchase in Ontario:
- HST (13%) = CA$13.00
- Total = CA$113.00
The same CA$100 purchase in British Columbia:
- GST (5%) = CA$5.00
- PST (7%) = CA$7.00
- Total = CA$112.00
Notes
Provincial rules on what is taxable vary (for example, some groceries and children’s items are PST-exempt in certain provinces). This tool applies the headline combined rate; always check whether the specific good or service qualifies for an exemption or point-of-sale rebate.