Sales taxes in Canada
In Canada, there are two types of sales taxes levied. These are :
- Provincial sales taxes or PST, levied by the provinces.
- Goods and services tax or GST / Harmonized sales tax or HST, a value-added tax levied by the federal government. The GST applies nationally. The HST includes the provincial portion of the sales tax but is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and is applied under the same legislation as the GST. The HST is in effect in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The territories of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut have no territorial sales taxes, so only the GST is collected. The three northern jurisdictions are partially subsidized by the federal government, and their residents receive some additional tax concessions due to the high cost of living in the north.
Provincial sales taxes
Separate provincial sales taxes are collected in the provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec. Prince Edward Island switched to a HST on April 1, 2013, on the same day that British Columbia reverted to a separate GST/PST, from a short-lived HST that was put in place in 2010 but rejected by voters in a referendum soon after. Goods to which the tax is applied vary by province, as does the rate. In all provinces where the provincial sales tax is collected, the tax is imposed on the sale price without GST. Of the provincial sales taxes, only the QST is a value-added tax.| Province | Type | Prov. rate | Total tax rate | Notes |
| Alberta | GST | 0 | 5 | There is a 9% tax on lodging and 4% tax on hotel room fees. |
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 7 | 12 | Reverted to a separate GST/PST on April 1, 2013, with a PST of 7%, after their adoption of a HST in 2010 was rejected in a referendum. |
| Manitoba | GST + RST | 7 | 12 | The RST was increased one point to 8% on July 1, 2013. It reverted to 7% as of July 1, 2019 and although it was planned to drop to 6% as of July 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic the province has deferred the reduction until further notice. There is a 5% tax on lodging and 5% tax on hotel room fees. |
| New Brunswick | HST | 10 | 15 | The HST was increased two points to 10% with an overall tax of 15% on July 1, 2016. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | HST | 10 | 15 | The HST was increased two points to 10% with an overall tax of 15% on July 1, 2016. |
| Northwest Territories | GST | 0 | 5 | |
| Nova Scotia | HST | 9 | 14 | Rates reduced to 14% starting Apr 1, 2025. |
| Nunavut | GST | 0 | 5 | |
| Ontario | HST | 8 | 13 | |
| Prince Edward Island | HST | 10 | 15 | The HST was increased one point to 15% on October 1, 2016. |
| Quebec | GST + QST | 9.975 | 14.975 | Books are taxed at 5.0%. There is an additional tax on tourist lodgings such as hotels which is usually 3.5%. This tax does not apply in Nunavik. |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 6 | 11 | The 6% rate is effective for goods and services effective March 23, 2017. Effective April 1, 2017, New Homes, restaurant meals and other prepared food and beverages are subject to PST. There is a separate 10% liquor consumption tax. PST is not applicable for any exempt business in Lloydminster. |
| Yukon | GST | 0 | 5 |