Ontario Sales Tax (HST) Calculator 2024

WOWA Simply Know Your Options

Sales Taxes in Ontario

Ontario is one of the provinces in Canada that charges a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 13%. The HST is applied to most goods and services, although there are some categories that are exempt or rebated from the HST.

The HST was adopted in Ontario on July 1st, 2010. The HST is made up of two components: an 8% provincial sales tax and a 5% federal sales tax. These replaced the 8% Retail Sales Tax (RST) and 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) respectively.

Most exemptions and rebates to the federal 5% portion of the HST also apply to the provincial 8% portion. There are also categories of goods and services that are not charged the provincial portion of HST. These rebates and exemptions are separate from the ones granted on a national level.

These categories include:

1. Print newspapers
2. Books, including audiobooks
3. Children’s clothing, footwear, and car seats and booster seats
4. Diapers

Ontario First Nations and PST

Along with rebates on the federal position of HST, registered First Nations are also granted rebates on the 8% provincial portion of the HST on many categories of items, including adult clothing, many household goods, vehicles, OTC medications and more. This rebate applies even if purchases are made off-reserve. See the Ontario First Nation rebate page for more details.

Use our simple Ontario income tax calculator

Best 5-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates in Canada

Select Mortgage Term:

1-Yr

2-Yr

3-Yr

4-Yr

5-Yr

Fixed

Variable

See More Rates

While the HST now applies to most goods and services, some exceptions are charged a Retail Sales Tax (RST) instead of HST. These exceptions include used vehicle sales, boats and aircraft, as well as insurance. While revenues from the HST are shared between the province of Ontario and the federal government, all revenues from the RST go directly and only to the Ontario government.

Special Sales Tax on Cars, Trucks, and Other Vehicles

If you buy a used vehicle, you will have to pay a 13% Retail Sales Tax (RST) when you register the vehicle at a service Ontario Center in Ontario. This tax is different and separate from the HST. All revenues from the RST will go directly to the province of Ontario.

The value of the vehicle will be based on the greater of your purchase price or the vehicle’s wholesale value (Red Book). This tax will apply to all used vehicle sales in Ontario as well as of cars that are imported into Ontario from other provinces or outside Canada. Even if the previous owner paid HST when they bought the vehicle, you will have to pay HST again on the purchase from the previous owner. This tax also applies to later sales and owners of the vehicle, if you choose to sell it.

If you buy a new vehicle, the 13% HST (not RST) will be applied at the point-of-sale by your car dealer or manufacturer. A similar tax also applies to the purchase of boats and aircraft.

Goods and services that are zero-rated from the federal portion of the HST include:

• Basic groceries, including meats, fish, cereals, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, coffee, tea. Some foods including snack foods, liquor, and carbonated beverages are charged HST.
• Prescription drugs, but not any drugs available over-the-counter (OTC).
• Medical devices
• Feminine hygiene products

Goods and services that are directly exempt from the federal portion of the HST include:

• Residential resales of property that has been previously owned and used
• Rental accommodations of longer than a month
• Educational services that lead to a certificate or diploma or are required for a certain practice
• Medical and dental services
• Financial services such as bank fees
• Legal aid services
• Day-care services

Ontario Revenues from Sales Taxes

Sales taxes make up a significant portion of Ontario’s budget. Revenues from sales taxes such as the HST and RST are expected to total $35.35 billion, or 24.5% of all of Ontario’s taxation revenue, during the 2023 fiscal year. To help Ontarians offset the cost of sales tax, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit provides up to $345 per person, paid as an annual or monthly deposit.

Federal Revenues from Sales Taxes

Sales taxes also contribute to the Canadian government’s fiscal budget. The 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) generated $54.4 billion in tax revenue during the 2023 fiscal year, which was 11.9% of the federal government's total revenue.