Ontario HST Calculator
This sales tax calculator can be used to find the amount of tax that applies to sales in Ontario to help you calculate the total after-tax amount. It can also be used as a reverse sales tax calculator to determine the amount before sales taxes are applied.
Results are estimates as rounding may differ from the total by a couple of cents. Ontario charges 13% HST on most goods and services. Use the reverse mode to find the pre-tax price from a total amount.
Ontario Sales Tax (HST)
Ontario uses a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 13%. This rate is applied to most goods and services with some exempt or eligible for rebate. HST of 13% is comprised of Federal tax of 5% and provincial tax of 8%.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Federal Tax | 5% |
| Provincial Tax | 8% |
| Total HST | 13% |
What’s Taxable at 13% HST
Here are some examples of common goods and services that have the 13% HST applied to them in Ontario.
- Most retail goods
- Electronics and appliances
- Clothing (adult)
- Restaurant meals
- Alcohol
- Gasoline (plus excise taxes)
- Professional services
- Home renovations
- Vehicle purchases
If you are purchasing an item that has the 13% HST applied, you can use a Sales Tax Calculator to see a breakdown of the HST and to help determine the total payable amount.
HST Exemptions (0%)
These items are completely exempt from HST:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Basic groceries | Milk, bread, vegetables, meat |
| Prescription drugs | Medications with prescription |
| Medical devices | Walkers, hearing aids |
| Health services | Physiotherapist (If offered by a practitioner of the service) |
| Residential rent | Monthly apartment rent, Condo Fees |
Point-of-Sale Rebates (8% Back)
Ontario has point-of-sale rebates on the 8% provincial portion of HST for Ontarians on specific items to help with their cost on specific items such as:
- Books
- Children’s clothing and footwear
- Children’s car seats and booster seats
- Diapers
- Qualifying food and beverages
- Newspapers
These rebates are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Government of Ontario. If the rebate is not provided by the supplier, you can submit a GST189 - General Application for Rebate of GST/HST.
New Home HST Rebate
Ontario has recently implemented HST relief on new homes that could save eligible buyers up to $130,000. For new homes that are purchased from a builder this relief could be available to you if the agreement of purchase was entered into after April 1, 2026 and on or before March 13, 2027. In addition to the construction of the home begining on or before December 31, 2028 with the home being substantially completed on or before December 31, 2031.
When purchasing a home in Ontario there are additional taxes that may apply and should be factored into the purchase such as land transfer tax. You can use an Ontario land transfer tax calculator to determine the total tax you may have to pay.
HST on Large Purchases
Large purchases are still subject to the 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and should be taken into consideration when purchasing as they represent a significant portion of the final amount payable. Here are some examples of expensive items and how HST can impact the total paid.
| Purchase | Price | HST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New car | $40,000 | $5,200 | $45,200 |
| Furniture set | $3,000 | $390 | $3,390 |
| Renovation | $25,000 | $3,250 | $28,250 |
HST History in Ontario
Ontario introduced the HST on July 1, 2010, replacing the separate 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and 5% federal GST. The harmonization was intended to simplify administration and reduce costs for businesses operating across multiple provinces. Unlike the old PST, HST applies to most services in addition to goods making it broader in scope. Some exemptions that existed under the old PST were eliminated, while new point-of-sale rebates were introduced to protect lower-income families.
You can take a look at the sales tax by province to see how sales tax in Ontario compares to the rest of Canada.