Frequently Asked Questions About Sales Tax
GST, QST, HST, tax-included prices, rate changes: answers to the questions that come up most often, at the rates in effect in 2026.
What is the difference between GST and HST?
GST is the federal tax of 5% collected everywhere in Canada. HST is a single tax that merges that 5% federal share with the provincial tax, in five provinces: Ontario (13%), Nova Scotia (14%), New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador (15%). In an HST province, GST is not billed on top: it's already included in the single rate shown on the receipt. The Canada Revenue Agency administers both and remits the provincial share back to the province.
Why does Quebec have two separate taxes?
Quebec never adopted HST: its sales tax was never merged with the federal tax. It collects its own QST of 9.975%, administered by Revenu Québec, on top of the federal 5% GST. Both appear on separate lines of the receipt and are each calculated on the price before tax: since 2013, QST is no longer applied on top of GST. The real combined rate is therefore 14.975%, not 15.47% as a compounded calculation would give.
Have sales tax rates changed recently?
Yes. Nova Scotia cut its HST from 15% to 14% on April 1, 2025. That's the only recent rate change in the country. Other systems are unchanged: 13% in Ontario, 15% in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, 14.975% in Quebec, 12% in British Columbia and Manitoba, 11% in Saskatchewan, and 5% in Alberta and the three territories. A provincial budget can change a rate mid-year, as Nova Scotia did.
How do I calculate tax on a price that already includes tax?
Divide the total, don't subtract a percentage from it. The formula is: price before tax = total amount ÷ (1 + combined rate). In Quebec, divide by 1.14975: a $114.98 total corresponds to $100.00 before tax, $5.00 of GST and $9.98 of QST. In Ontario, divide by 1.13. Subtracting 14.975% from $114.98 would give $97.76, a wrong result, because the percentage applies to the price before tax, not the total.
Is every product taxed at the same rate?
No. Basic groceries, prescription drugs, most health and educational services, financial services and long-term residential rent are zero-rated or exempt. Provincial rebates also target specific products, such as books in Quebec and Ontario, or children's clothing in Ontario and British Columbia. Conversely, alcohol, tobacco, tourist accommodation and insurance premiums follow special rules. The calculator applies the province's general rate.
Is this calculator an official government tool?
No. CalculatriceTaxes.ca is an independent site, not affiliated with the Canada Revenue Agency, Revenu Québec, or any provincial government. The rates used are those published by these agencies and are checked regularly, but results are provided for informational purposes. For a tax decision, an official filing or a dispute, refer to government sources or a professional.
Can I use this tool for my business invoicing?
Yes, to check an amount or prepare an invoice: the rates and calculation match what's currently in effect, including for self-employed workers. A compliant invoice must, however, carry information this calculator doesn't produce, notably your GST and QST registration numbers, the date, and the tax detail collected. A self-employed worker generally must register for GST and QST once revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters (the small supplier threshold); below that, registration stays optional and no tax needs to be charged. The tool doesn't account for zero-rated goods, input tax credits, or rules for interprovincial sales. For bookkeeping and filings, rely on accounting software or a professional.
Full invoice example with the calculation and required information
Is the QST credit the same thing as calculating QST tax?
No, these are two different things. The “QST credit” many people search for is the QST component of Revenu Québec's solidarity tax credit: a refundable credit paid based on family income, marital status and housing, to offset part of the QST paid during the year. This calculator only works out the tax paid at the moment of a purchase, not that annual credit. To estimate the solidarity tax credit, use Revenu Québec's official tool, which requires your net family income for the reference year.
How do I calculate GST and QST tax on an amount?
Multiply the amount before tax by 5% to get GST, then by 9.975% to get QST. Both taxes apply to the same base amount, never one on top of the other. On $200.00: $10.00 of GST and $19.95 of QST, for $229.95 total. The home page's sales tax calculator shows these two lines separately, just like on an invoice. If you're starting from a price that already includes tax, divide the total by 1.14975 instead.
What is the difference between calculating GST and calculating QST?
The method is identical; only the rate and the recipient change. GST is the federal tax of 5%, collected by the Canada Revenue Agency and applied across the country. QST is the provincial tax of 9.975%, collected by Revenu Québec and applied in Quebec only. A business registered for both must report them separately, which is why a GST/QST tax calculation needs to keep the two lines distinct rather than using the 14.975% combined rate.
Didn't Find Your Answer Here?
The sales tax guide explains in detail how GST, HST, QST and PST work, with worked examples. For a specific question, write to us via the contact page.
The rate-verification method, the official sources consulted, and how the site works are described on the About page.