GST / HST / PST Calculator (2026)

Sales tax across Canada

Canada has three sales-tax systems depending on the province. Some use a single HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) that combines federal and provincial portions; others charge the federal GST (5%) plus a separate provincial PST; Alberta and the territories charge GST only; and Quebec adds its own QST. Because the rules and the rate depend entirely on where a sale takes place, the same $100 item can cost a different total in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal or Calgary. This calculator picks the correct method and rate for the province you select, so you do not have to remember which system applies.

What each input means

• Amount — the price you're taxing. Depending on the mode, this is either the pre-tax price (to add tax) or the tax-included price (to work backwards).
• Province — determines which system and rate apply (HST, GST + PST, GST + QST, or GST only).
• Add vs. remove tax — "Add tax" builds the total from a pre-tax price; "Remove tax" extracts the pre-tax price and tax from a tax-included total.

How Canadian sales tax works

There is no single national sales tax in Canada. Instead, a federal tax and provincial taxes work together in one of a few combinations. Understanding the four building blocks makes the totals easy to follow.

GST (federal). The Goods and Services Tax is charged by the federal government at 5% and applies almost everywhere in the country. In provinces and territories that have no provincial sales tax of their own, the 5% GST is the only sales tax you pay.

PST (provincial). Some provinces run their own Provincial Sales Tax on top of the federal GST. In these provinces you see two separate lines — the 5% GST plus the province's own PST — and both are generally calculated on the pre-tax price rather than one being stacked on the other.

HST (harmonized). A few provinces chose to merge the federal and provincial portions into one blended Harmonized Sales Tax. You are charged a single combined rate and see one tax line instead of two, even though part of that money is still the federal 5%.

QST (Quebec). Quebec administers its own Quebec Sales Tax alongside the federal GST. It behaves much like a PST but is run by Revenu Québec. In Quebec you see a GST line and a QST line, and the calculator labels the provincial portion accordingly.

Whichever system applies where you are, the underlying idea is the same: take the pre-tax price, apply the right rate or rates, and add the result to reach the final total.

2026 rates by province

Type	Provinces	Combined
HST	ON	13%
HST	NS	14%
HST	NB, NL, PE	15%
GST + PST	BC	12%
GST + PST	SK	11%
GST + PST	MB	12%
GST + QST	QC	14.975%
GST only	AB, YT, NT, NU	5%

Reverse calculation

Switch to "Remove tax" to work backwards from a tax-included price — useful for expense claims or figuring out the pre-tax cost of something you've already bought.

Worked example

Suppose you buy a $100 item in a province that uses a single 13% HST. The tax is $100 × 13% = $13, for a total of $113. In a province that charges 5% GST plus a 7% PST instead, both are usually figured on the $100 base: $5 GST + $7 PST = $12 tax, or $112 total. Working backwards, if a receipt shows $113 including 13% HST, the pre-tax price was $113 ÷ 1.13 ≈ $100. (Rates here are illustrative — the calculator uses the correct rate for the province you pick.)

Key terms

• GST — the federal Goods and Services Tax, charged across Canada.
• PST — a Provincial Sales Tax charged separately by some provinces.
• HST — a Harmonized Sales Tax blending the federal and provincial portions into one rate.
• QST — Quebec's provincial sales tax, run by Revenu Québec.
• Tax-inclusive vs. tax-exclusive — whether a price already contains tax or has it added at checkout.
• Zero-rated / exempt — goods (like basic groceries) that carry no GST/HST.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using one national rate. There isn't one — the rate depends entirely on the province.
• Stacking PST on GST. In most provinces both are calculated on the base price, not on top of each other.
• Forgetting Quebec's QST. Quebec shows a separate GST and QST line, not a single HST.
• Assuming everything is taxed. Basic groceries and some health items are often zero-rated or exempt.

Frequently asked questions

What are GST, HST and PST?

These are Canada's sales taxes. GST (Goods and Services Tax) is the federal tax applied across the country. PST (Provincial Sales Tax) is charged separately by some provinces. HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is a single combined tax used in provinces that have merged the federal and provincial portions into one rate.

How is Canadian sales tax calculated?

You multiply the item's price by the applicable tax rate for your province, then add it to the price. This calculator handles GST, HST or GST-plus-PST depending on where you are, so you get the correct tax amount and final total for your province.

Which provinces use HST versus GST and PST?

Provinces that use HST charge one combined rate. Others charge the federal GST plus their own separate PST, and a few charge only GST. Because the setup differs by province, the total sales tax on the same item varies depending on where you buy it.

Do GST and PST apply on top of each other?

In most provinces that use separate taxes, GST and PST are each calculated on the item's base price rather than stacked on one another. This calculator applies the correct method for your province so the total is accurate.

Are any goods exempt from GST/HST?

Yes. Certain items such as basic groceries, some medical devices and prescription drugs are zero-rated or exempt from GST/HST. Provincial rules for PST exemptions vary, so check your province's guidance for specific categories.

How do I remove tax from a total price?

Divide the tax-included price by 1 plus the tax rate. For example, at a 13% rate, $113 ÷ 1.13 ≈ $100 pre-tax, leaving $13 of tax. Switch this calculator to "Remove tax" and it does this automatically for your province.

Why does the same item cost more in another province?

Because sales tax is set province by province. A province with 15% HST adds more tax than one charging only the 5% federal GST, so the same pre-tax price reaches a higher total. Where the sale happens decides the rate.

Do I charge sales tax if I sell online across Canada?

Generally the tax that applies is based on where the customer is (the place of supply) rather than where you're located, and registration thresholds apply. The rules can be involved, so check the CRA's guidance or a tax professional for your situation.

This calculator provides estimates for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. See our disclaimer.