What is the sales tax in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia charges 14% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), which combines 5% federal GST and 9% provincial tax.

Is children''s clothing exempt from HST in Nova Scotia?

Partially. Nova Scotia provides a point-of-sale rebate equal to the 9% provincial HST portion on children''s clothing and footwear under $100. You pay only 5% GST on qualifying items at checkout.

What rebates are available for HST in Nova Scotia?

Low-income residents can receive the Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit ($255/adult, $60/child), the Poverty Reduction Credit, and the NS portion of the federal GST/HST credit. New home buyers can claim the NS New Housing Rebate.

Nova Scotia Sales Tax (HST) Calculator 2026

Nova Scotia Sales Tax (HST) Calculator

This Nova Scotia sales tax calculator helps you calculate the HST that applies to most goods and services to find the total after tax amount. This calculator can also be used as a reverse sales tax calculator to find the amount sales taxes are applied.

Total After Tax

Pre-Tax Amount

GST

PST

Total Tax

Results are estimates as rounding may differ from the total by a couple of cents. Nova Scotia charges 14% HST on most goods and services. HST decreased from 15% as of April 1, 2025.

Nova Scotia Sales Tax (HST)

Nova Scotia uses the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) system with a combined rate of 14% which is lower than the other provinces that charge 15%.

Component	Rate
Federal GST	5%
Provincial HST portion	9%
Total HST	14%

Nova Scotia was one of the original three provinces to adopt HST on April 1, 1997, replacing the separate Provincial Sales Tax and 7% federal GST. The other provinces to adopt sales tax at this time were New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nova Scotia’s Unique Point-of-Sale Rebates

Nova Scotia provides point-of-sale rebates on certain essential items. You see the provincial HST portion removed at checkout, which is convenient for customers as there is no need to apply for a refund. Instead vendors only collect the 5% portion of the HST with the sale of these items.

Qualifying items for the point-of-sale rebate include books (including audiobooks), children’s clothing and footwear as well as children’s diapers.

Nova Scotia tax calculator example

Let’s work though an example of how sales tax is applied in Nova Scotia with the purchase of electronics. In this example we will purchase a computer for $1,100. Since electronics are subject to the 14% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) we will have to apply HST to arrive at the total amount payable.

This means that we will have to apply the PST of 9% as well as the 5% federal GST to the purchase price.

Federal GST (5%): $1,100 x 5% = $55.00
Provincial Portion (9%): $1,100 x 9% = $99.00
Total Tax (14%): $55.00 + $99.00 = $154.00

When adding the total tax to the purchase price the total payable amount will be $1,254 for the purchase of a computer in Nova Scotia.