Canadian Tax Calculator — GST, HST, QST & PST 2026

How Quebec Taxes Work

Quebec applies two separate taxes on most goods and services. The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a federal tax of 5%, while the QST (Quebec Sales Tax) is a provincial tax of 9.975%. Worth noting: QST is calculated on the subtotal — not on the subtotal plus GST. The effective combined rate is 14.975%.

GST: 5% × subtotal
QST: 9.975% × subtotal (not on GST)
Tip (when applicable): calculated on subtotal — Quebec standard

When to Use This Calculator

Three concrete scenarios cover most uses:

Quoting an invoice for a client in another province. Under Canadian place-of-supply rules, the buyer's province (not yours) determines which tax to charge. A Quebec consultant invoicing an Ontario client charges 13% HST, not GST + QST. Pick the client's province in the widget, the right rows will appear.
Reverse-calculating from a receipt. Use the after-tax mode when a receipt shows the final amount but you need the pre-tax subtotal — common for expense reports, T2125 small-business filings, and per-diem reconciliations.
Restaurant bills with tip. Quebec convention: tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the final total. Quick shortcut — double the QST line on your bill (2 × 9.975% ≈ 20%) for a generous tip. For restaurant maths in general, the Tip Calculator handles split-bills and per-person breakdowns; combine it with the discount tool below for promotions.

Related Canadian-finance helpers: Discount Calculator for promo math, Profit Margin Calculator for product pricing, and Percentage Calculator for arbitrary % math.

All 13 provinces and territories, current 2026 rates

The calculator now covers all 10 provinces and 3 territories with rates current as of 2026. Nova Scotia dropped from 15% to 14% HST in April 2025 — that's already reflected here. Each region only shows the taxes that actually apply to it: Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut display GST only. Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and PEI show HST as a single combined rate. BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba show GST + PST as separate rows. Quebec shows GST + QST. No need to look up which tax structure your province uses — pick your region and the right rows appear.

Before/after tax modes work for all regions: enter the pre-tax price to see what you'll pay, or enter the final price to extract the tax breakdown. A convenience fee you see on a receipt is a common before/after use case, you paid $113.00, you need to know what the base was. What's not here: municipal taxes, fuel levies, alcohol surcharges, or any tax that varies by product category within a province. Those require a table lookup, not a calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is QST calculated on top of GST?

No. In Quebec, QST (9.975%) is calculated on the subtotal only — not on the subtotal plus GST. This is a common misconception. Both the GST and QST are applied independently to the original pre-tax price, resulting in a combined effective rate of 14.975%.

What goods are exempt from GST and QST in Quebec?

Basic groceries (unprocessed food), prescription drugs, most medical devices, and certain financial services are exempt from both GST and QST. Residential rent is also generally exempt. Always verify with Revenu Québec for your specific situation.

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount in Quebec?

The Quebec standard is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Quick tip: double the QST amount shown on your bill (2 × 9.975% ≈ 20%). It's fast and results in an appropriate tip without needing a calculator.

If I'm in Quebec and sell to an Ontario client, which tax do I charge?

You charge 13% HST (Ontario's rate), not Quebec's GST + QST. Under Canadian place-of-supply rules, the buyer's location determines the tax — not the seller's. The same logic applies in reverse: an Ontario seller with a BC client charges 5% GST + 7% PST (BC's structure). Exception: if the customer physically picks the goods up in your province, you charge your province's rate. The widget handles this automatically — pick the client's province.

What about US clients — do I charge GST?

Generally no. Sales of goods or services to clients outside Canada are zero-rated for GST/HST purposes — meaning you don't charge tax, but you can still claim input tax credits on related business expenses. There are exceptions (services performed in Canada for foreign clients can be tricky), so verify with your accountant or CRA for your specific case. This calculator is for Canadian-to-Canadian transactions; for US tax, you'd need a sales-tax-by-state tool.