In Ontario, a $100 purchase costs $113 once 13% HST is added. Run it backwards and a $113 receipt hides $100 of price and $13 of tax. Choose a province above, type in an amount, then pick whether tax goes on or comes off.
GST and HST explained
Ottawa charges a 5% GST in every province and territory. Five provinces fold their own tax into it and call the result HST. That means 13% in Ontario, 15% in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, and 14% in Nova Scotia. Everywhere else you pay GST alone, or GST with a separate provincial tax on top.
Adding tax to a price
Multiply the price by the rate. Take $100 in Ontario: $100 times 0.13 gives $13, so the total is $113. Where only GST applies, the tax is $5. The calculator runs this for each province and shows the two parts separately when a province has both.
Taking tax out of a total
Here you divide the total by one plus the rate. For a $113 Ontario receipt, $113 divided by 1.13 lands on $100. Don’t just knock 13% off $113. That gives $98.31, which is too low. The “includes tax” option does the sum properly.
What gets taxed
Most goods and services carry GST or HST. Basic groceries, prescription drugs and many medical services are zero-rated or exempt, while restaurant meals and new homes follow their own special rules. Not sure about something? The CRA publishes guidance item by item.
Small business rules
Once taxable sales pass $30,000 over four quarters, a business has to register for GST/HST. Registrants collect the tax and claim credits for what they pay on purchases. Our guide to filing with HST NETFILE covers the return itself.
Three quick comparisons
An item priced at $250 costs $285 in Nova Scotia at 14% HST. In Alberta, at 5% GST, it comes to $262.50. In New Brunswick, with 15% HST, the bill is $287.50. Select each province in the calculator and the split appears. On big purchases the gap between provinces adds up.
Rounding, receipts and exempt goods
Tax is worked out on the price and rounded to the cent, so a store that rounds each line can land a cent away from your total. Businesses should keep receipts showing the GST or HST number and the tax paid, since input tax credits depend on them.
Zero-rated items, such as basic groceries and prescription drugs, carry a 0% rate, and the seller can still claim credits on tax paid to produce them. Exempt items, such as most health and child care services, have no tax and no credits. Shoppers notice nothing either way. Businesses do.
Online and cross-border buying
Sales to Canadian customers carry GST or HST based on where the buyer lives. Foreign sellers above the threshold must collect it. If one doesn’t, you may owe the tax as the goods cross the border, and a courier might collect it at your door. Hold on to the receipts.
Where to go next
Provinces with a separate provincial tax, such as BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec, are covered by the PST and QST calculator. Self-employed and selling? The income tax calculator shows the tax on your income.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HST rate in Ontario?
13%.
How do I take HST out of a total?
Divide the total by 1.13 in Ontario, or by one plus your province's rate.
Which provinces have HST?
Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Which provinces charge GST only?
Alberta and the three territories.
Are groceries taxed?
Basic groceries are zero-rated. Prepared foods and snacks can be taxed.
When must a business register for GST/HST?
When taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive quarters.
Sources and updates
Last reviewed: . Full disclaimer. How we build calculators. Editorial policy.
Estimate only. This calculator gives general information for planning. It is not tax, legal or financial advice, and it is not affiliated with the City of Toronto, MPAC or the Canada Revenue Agency. Results depend on the numbers you enter and may differ from official amounts. Check official sources or a qualified professional before you decide.