How Much Is HST in Ontario? 13% Rate & Calculator Guide

If you’ve ever glanced at a receipt in Ontario and wondered why the tax line reads 13% instead of a simpler figure, you’re not alone. That number is the harmonized sales tax (HST), a single rate that bundles the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) with Ontario’s provincial sales tax.

Ontario HST rate: 13% · Federal GST component: 5% · Provincial PST component: 8% · Effective for 2026: Yes · General tourist refund: Not available

Here is a quick overview of Ontario’s HST breakdown.

How much is HST and GST in Ontario?

Current HST rate for Ontario

Ontario’s harmonized sales tax is 13%, as confirmed by the Canada Revenue Agency (federal tax authority). That means for every $100 of taxable goods or services, you pay $13 in combined federal and provincial tax.

GST component: 5%

The federal Goods and Services Tax applies uniformly across Canada at 5%. In Ontario, this 5% is built into the HST—you never see it listed separately on a receipt. The CRA’s GST/HST calculator treats Ontario as a single-rate HST province.

PST component: 8%

Ontario’s provincial portion is 8%, which replaces the old Retail Sales Tax (RST). According to TaxCloud (sales tax compliance platform), the blended structure means businesses remit one tax rather than two, but consumers effectively pay the same total.

The implication: Ontario’s blended tax eliminates the need for separate calculations, making receipts simpler for consumers.

Is HST 13% in Ontario?

Yes, Ontario’s HST is 13%

The answer is straightforward: the HST rate in Ontario is 13% for standard taxable supplies. The CRA’s rate table lists Ontario at 13%, alongside other provinces such as New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. No lower or higher rate applies to general goods.

Exceptions: exempt items

Some goods and services are exempt or zero‑rated, meaning no HST applies. Examples include basic groceries, prescription drugs, and residential rent. TaxCloud notes that these exemptions follow the same federal rules used across Canada, so Ontario does not add a separate list of PST‑only exemptions.

What this means: Ontario’s uniform rate leaves little room for confusion on most transactions.

How to calculate HST in Ontario?

1. Step 1: Determine taxable amount – Start with the pre‑tax price of the item or service. The CRA’s calculator instructs users to enter the amount before sales taxes are applied.
2. Step 2: Multiply by 0.13 – Ontario’s HST formula is straightforward: HST amount = pre‑tax price × 0.13. TaxCloud confirms that this is the standard method for all participating HST provinces.
3. Step 3: Add to subtotal – For the total you pay, use this formula: total = price × 1.13. For a $200 purchase, that results in $26 in HST, making the final bill $226. Many online calculators, including the CRA’s official tool, can do the math for you.

The pattern: this simple multiplication applies to all taxable goods, making it easy to estimate costs on the go.

How is HST different from GST?

GST: federal tax only

The Goods and Services Tax is a 5% federal tax applied nationwide. In provinces without HST—such as Alberta—you pay 5% GST plus a separate provincial sales tax (PST) or, in Alberta’s case, no PST at all. The CRA rates page lists Alberta as 5% GST only.

HST: blended federal and provincial

HST merges the two taxes into one. Ontario’s HST at 13% is the sum of 5% federal GST and 8% provincial PST. RemitBee (Canadian financial services platform) explains that participating provinces—Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island—collect a single rate, simplifying compliance.

Provinces without HST use separate PST

Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia each impose their own provincial sales tax on top of the 5% GST. The CRA table shows Quebec’s combined rate, for instance, as 5% GST + 9.975% PST = 14.975%.

Five provinces, one pattern: HST provinces bundle both taxes, while non‑HST provinces charge two separate lines. For Ontario buyers, the 13% is all‑in. For someone in Alberta, the same purchase would incur only 5% GST—but Alberta also has no PST, making its total tax noticeably lower.

Can tourists get a HST refund in Canada?

Tourist HST refund program ended in 2007

The general visitor tax refund program was cancelled by the federal government in 2007. Today, tourists visiting Ontario cannot claim back the HST they pay on hotels, souvenirs, or meals. The CRA’s Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program makes this clear: only a narrow set of business‑related expenses may qualify.

Except for convention attendees

Organizers of eligible foreign conventions can apply for a rebate of the GST/HST paid on certain convention supplies. The rebate covers meeting rooms, accommodation, and related services when the convention meets specified criteria. Individual attendees cannot claim directly.

The catch for travelers: Ontario’s HST is a permanent cost with no general recovery option, unlike some other countries’ tourist refund schemes.

Five distinct sections, one clear takeaway: Ontario’s 13% HST is a blended tax that simplifies collection but leaves no room for general tourist recovery. The trade‑off for consumers is a transparent single rate; the trade‑off for businesses is a single remittance instead of two.

“Ontario HST rate is 13%.”

— Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST rates and calculator page

“Ontario applies a 13% HST on most goods and services.”

— Retail Council of Canada, sales tax rates by province

For anyone living in or visiting Ontario, the 13% HST is a permanent part of the price tag. The implication for shoppers is clear: budget an extra 13 cents per dollar on taxable items. For business owners, the choice is between registering for HST (and claiming input tax credits) or staying below the small‑supplier threshold. The blended rate simplifies life in one province—and for travelers crossing into Alberta, it means adjusting to a different tax structure.

Frequently asked questions

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