About Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate HST, GST, PST, and QST for every Canadian province, plus US state sales tax. See tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive totals instantly. Free, updated for 2025.
How to use
- Enter the purchase or sale amount before tax. This is your base amount on which all tax calculations will be applied. You can enter any amount from a single item price to a total invoice amount.
- Select your province (Canada) or state (US) from the dropdown. The calculator automatically applies the correct tax type and rate: HST for harmonized provinces, GST + PST for provinces with separate taxes, GST only for territories and Alberta, or the applicable US state sales tax rate.
- View the detailed tax breakdown showing each tax component separately. In Ontario, you will see 13% HST applied as a single line. In BC, you will see 5% GST and 7% PST as separate lines. In Quebec, 5% GST and 9.975% QST are shown separately. This breakdown is essential for proper bookkeeping and ITC claims.
- Toggle between tax-exclusive (adding tax to a price) and tax-inclusive (extracting tax from a total). Tax-inclusive is useful when you need to determine how much tax is embedded in a final price — a $113 total in Ontario includes $13 in HST and $100 in pre-tax value.
- Use the results for invoice preparation, pricing decisions, expense categorization, and tax filing. The GST/HST components are eligible for Input Tax Credits (ITCs) when claimed on business expenses, while PST paid in BC, SK, and MB is generally not recoverable.
- Compare tax rates across provinces to understand how location affects pricing. The same $1,000 purchase costs $1,130 in Ontario (13% HST), $1,120 in BC (5% GST + 7% PST), and $1,050 in Alberta (5% GST only) — an $80 difference that matters for large purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HST rate in Ontario?
Ontario charges 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on most goods and services. HST combines the 5% federal GST and 8% provincial portion into a single tax. Some items are HST-exempt (basic groceries, prescription drugs, medical devices, residential rent, financial services) or zero-rated (exported goods). The full 13% HST is eligible for Input Tax Credits (ITCs) when paid on business expenses, making Ontario's system simpler for businesses than provinces with separate GST and PST.
Which provinces charge HST vs. GST + PST?
HST provinces: Ontario (13%), New Brunswick (15%), Nova Scotia (15%), Newfoundland (15%), and PEI (15%). GST + PST provinces: British Columbia (5% + 7%), Saskatchewan (5% + 6%), Manitoba (5% + 7%). GST + QST: Quebec (5% + 9.975%). GST only: Alberta (5%), Northwest Territories (5%), Nunavut (5%), Yukon (5%). The key distinction: HST is fully recoverable as ITCs for businesses. PST in BC, SK, and MB is generally not recoverable (it is a final cost to the business). QST in Quebec is recoverable separately through Revenu Quebec.
Can I claim input tax credits on PST?
No. Provincial sales tax (PST) in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba cannot be claimed as an input tax credit. PST is a final cost absorbed by the business. Only the GST portion (5%) is recoverable as an ITC. This is one reason HST provinces are simpler for businesses — the full 13-15% is recoverable. In Quebec, QST is recoverable through a separate Input Tax Refund (ITR) claimed with Revenu Quebec. When calculating true cost of goods in PST provinces, include PST as part of your cost, not as a recoverable tax.
When do I need to register for GST/HST?
You must register when your worldwide taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 in any single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters. Below $30,000, you are considered a small supplier and registration is voluntary. However, voluntary registration can be beneficial if your business expenses exceed your revenue (common in early stages) because you can claim ITCs on expenses and receive a net refund. Once registered, you must charge the correct tax on every sale — use this calculator when preparing your
invoices or
receipts to ensure the right amount is charged. You can register online through CRA My Business Account.
Does this calculator support US sales tax?
Yes. US sales tax rates vary by state, county, and sometimes city — rates range from 0% (Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, Alaska at the state level) to over 10% in some jurisdictions when state and local taxes combine. Unlike Canadian GST/HST, US sales tax is collected only by registered sellers and only on sales made within states where the business has nexus (physical or economic presence). The calculator covers state-level rates. For exact local rates, check your specific county and city, as combined rates can vary significantly within a single state.
How does sales tax work for online businesses?
Canadian businesses selling online must charge GST/HST based on where the customer is located (destination-based). If you are in Alberta but sell to an Ontario customer, you charge 13% HST. For digital products and services, the rules are similar — charge the tax rate of the customer's province. In the US, the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling requires online sellers to collect sales tax in any state where they have economic nexus (typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions per year in that state). Most Canadian provinces have similar rules for non-resident digital sellers.
What is the difference between zero-rated and exempt supplies?
Both are sold without charging GST/HST, but the ITC treatment differs. Zero-rated supplies (basic groceries, prescription drugs, medical devices, exports) are taxed at 0%, and the business CAN claim ITCs on expenses related to producing those goods. Exempt supplies (financial services, residential rent, most health and dental services, educational services) are NOT subject to GST/HST, and the business CANNOT claim ITCs on related expenses. This distinction matters for businesses selling exempt supplies — the GST/HST paid on their business inputs becomes a real cost that cannot be recovered.
Part of ToolFluency’s library of free online tools for Business. No account needed, no data leaves your device.