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GST/HST Calculator Ontario Guide
Use this HST calculator for Ontario to work out tax-inclusive and pre-tax prices and understand the difference. Ontario’s 13% HST is 5% GST plus 8% provincial sales tax — and HST is only one part of what comes off your money: see what an Ontario salary keeps after tax with the Ontario salary calculator, or run the borrowing math for a big taxed purchase with the car loan calculator.
Use the calculator
Enter your own assumptions in the related tool. This page explains what to consider before interpreting the result.
Open Gst Hst Calculator →What to consider
Start with the numbers you actually know. For income questions, distinguish gross pay from net pay. For borrowing questions, consider the rate, term, fees, taxes and insurance that apply to your situation. For savings questions, treat the rate of return as an assumption rather than a guarantee.
For Canadian tax, payroll, registered-account and lending questions, rules can change and personal circumstances matter. Use official government, employer, lender or account records to confirm important figures.
HST arithmetic on everyday price points
Ontario's 13% HST is easy to misjudge until you run the numbers. Here is what the tax adds to three common purchases:
| Purchase | Price before tax | 13% HST | Price you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| A $100 shirt | $100.00 | $13.00 | $113.00 |
| A $1,000 laptop | $1,000.00 | $130.00 | $1,130.00 |
| A $25,000 car | $25,000.00 | $3,250.00 | $28,250.00 |
The rule is simple: multiply any price by 0.13 for the tax, then add it back. The car example is why Ontario shoppers are often surprised at the dealership — the $3,250 tax alone can exceed a month of rent in many cities.
Tax-extra versus tax-included pricing
Ontario uses tax-extra pricing: the $100 on the tag is not the $113 at the register. Shelf prices exclude HST; the tax is added at the till. If you come from a tax-included-pricing country, build the habit of adding 13% before judging affordability — 13% is roughly one-eighth, so a $200 item costs about $226 after tax.
What the 13% skips: zero-rated and exempt basics
Not everything gets taxed. Basic groceries are zero-rated: milk, eggs, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, and most unprepared food ring up at 0%. Prescription drugs and many medical devices are zero-rated too, while services like most health care are exempt entirely. The line matters: a bag of apples is zero-rated, but a prepared deli sandwich is generally taxable and restaurant meals are fully taxable at 13%. A receipt with mixed lines usually reflects exactly that boundary.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this gst/hst calculator ontario guide?
It is an educational estimate. Results depend on the assumptions you enter and may not match a payroll statement, lender decision, tax assessment or account statement.
What should I enter?
Use your own income, price, balance, rate, payment or contribution assumptions. For tax and payroll questions, verify important figures with official sources.
Can I use this for a final financial decision?
Use it as a planning tool. Confirm final amounts with the relevant employer, lender, financial institution or government source.
Why does my Ontario receipt show HST 13% instead of separate GST and PST lines?
Ontario harmonized its provincial sales tax with the federal GST, so one 13% line replaces the two-line GST-plus-PST layout seen in non-harmonized provinces like BC. Retailers remit the full 13% to the CRA, which forwards Ontario's share to the province.
Do I pay HST on a used car bought privately in Ontario?
Yes — private sales are not a loophole. Registering the vehicle at ServiceOntario triggers 13% retail sales tax on the purchase price or wholesale value, whichever is higher. Budget $3,250 of tax on a $25,000 car even when the deal was struck in a driveway.
Are all groceries tax-free in Ontario?
No. Basic groceries — fresh produce, milk, eggs, bread, most unprepared foods — are zero-rated at 0%. Prepared foods, snacks, carbonated drinks, and restaurant meals are generally taxable at 13%. One receipt can legitimately carry both tax-free and fully taxed lines.