GST vs HST in Canada (Quick Answer)
GST is a 5% federal tax charged across Canada. HST combines GST + provincial tax into one rate, typically between 13% and 15% depending on the province.
👉 Businesses charge tax based on the customer’s location, not their own.
Introduction
If you run a small business in Canada, understanding GST and HST is essential.
Whether you’re freelancing, invoicing clients, or selling products, charging the correct GST or HST rate is required under Canadian tax rules.
But many business owners still ask:
- What’s the difference between GST and HST?
- Which one do I charge?
- Does it depend on my province or my customer’s?
Let’s break it down simply.
GST vs HST in Canada
| Feature | GST | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Federal tax | Combined federal + provincial tax |
| Rate | 5% | 13–15% |
| Used in | Most provinces | Ontario, NS, NB, NL, PEI |
| Complexity | Separate taxes may apply | Single combined rate |
What is GST?
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a federal tax set at 5% across Canada.
It applies to most goods and services sold in the country.
If you operate in provinces that don’t use HST, you’ll charge GST separately (and sometimes alongside a provincial tax like PST or QST).
What is HST?
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) combines:
- the 5% federal GST
- a provincial sales tax
into one single tax rate.
This simplifies tax collection in certain provinces.
HST Provinces in Canada
- Ontario – 13%
- Nova Scotia – 15%
- New Brunswick – 15%
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 15%
- Prince Edward Island – 15%
GST + PST (or QST) Provinces
- British Columbia – 5% GST + 7% PST
- Saskatchewan – 5% GST + 6% PST
- Manitoba – 5% GST + 7% PST
- Quebec – 5% GST + 9.975% QST
GST-Only Provinces and Territories
- Alberta – 5% GST
- Northwest Territories – 5% GST
- Yukon – 5% GST
- Nunavut – 5% GST
Which Tax Should You Charge?
This is where many small businesses get it wrong.
👉 You charge tax based on your customer’s location, not your own.
Examples:
- You’re in Alberta, client is in Ontario → charge 13% HST
- You’re in Ontario, client is in Alberta → charge 5% GST
- You’re in BC, client is in Quebec → charge GST + QST
This is known as the place-of-supply rule.
Do You Always Have to Charge GST/HST?
No — only if you’re registered.
You generally need to register once your business earns over:
👉 $30,000 in revenue over 12 months
Before that, you’re considered a small supplier and don’t have to collect tax.
Common GST/HST Mistakes to Avoid
- Charging tax based on your own province instead of the customer’s
- Forgetting to register after crossing $30,000
- Not separating GST and PST correctly in non-HST provinces
- Using incorrect tax rates on invoices
How Lunio Helps
Managing Canadian taxes manually can get confusing fast.
Lunio helps you:
- Automatically apply the correct GST/HST/PST/QST rates
- Generate clean, compliant invoices
- Track taxes collected for reporting
- Avoid costly mistakes
👉 Try our GST/HST calculator to calculate taxes instantly.
👉 Use the reverse tax calculator to break totals into subtotal and tax.
👉 Create invoices with our free invoice generator.
GST vs HST FAQ
What is the difference between GST and HST?
GST is a 5% federal tax, while HST combines GST with a provincial tax into a single rate between 13% and 15%.
Do I charge GST or HST in Canada?
You charge tax based on your customer’s location under the place-of-supply rules, not your own province's rules.
Do I need to register for GST/HST?
You typically need to register once your business earns more than $30,000 in revenue over a 12-month period.
Final Thoughts
GST and HST don’t have to be complicated.
Once you understand:
- where your customer is located
- which tax system applies
You can invoice confidently and stay compliant.