Retail Sales Tax Calculator Ontario

How to Use This Calculator

Using our retail sales tax calculator is simple:

1. Enter the price of the item you're purchasing
2. Select whether you're purchasing in Ontario or importing goods
3. Click "Calculate" to see the total tax amount
4. Review the breakdown of federal and provincial taxes

The calculator will show you the total tax amount and provide a breakdown of how much is federal tax and how much is provincial tax.

Ontario Tax Rates Explained

Ontario's retail sales tax system combines federal and provincial taxes into a single amount called the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The current HST rate in Ontario is 13%.

This rate combines:

• 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• 8% Ontario Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

When you see a price with "HST" included, it means the seller has already added the 13% tax to the price. When you see "before tax," you'll need to add the 13% tax to the price to get the total cost.

Tax Exemptions in Ontario

Not all purchases are subject to HST in Ontario. Some common tax exemptions include:

• Basic food items (groceries, prepared meals)
• Prescription drugs
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Books and newspapers
• Certain clothing items

For a complete list of tax exemptions, you can consult the Ontario government's tax exemptions page.

Common Shopping Scenarios

Here are some common shopping scenarios and how to calculate the total cost including tax:

Scenario 1: Purchasing a Clothing Item

You want to buy a jacket that costs $100 before tax.

1. Price before tax: $100
2. HST: 13% of $100 = $13
3. Total cost: $100 + $13 = $113

Scenario 2: Purchasing Groceries

You're buying groceries that cost $50 before tax.

1. Price before tax: $50
2. HST: 0% (groceries are tax-exempt)
3. Total cost: $50 + $0 = $50

Scenario 3: Purchasing a Digital Product

You want to buy a digital download that costs $25 before tax.

1. Price before tax: $25
2. HST: 13% of $25 = $3.25
3. Total cost: $25 + $3.25 = $28.25