GST Calculator — add or remove Canada's 5% GST
Calculate the 5% federal Goods and Services Tax on any amount — or pick your province to get the complete picture with HST, PST, RST, or QST included, forward or in reverse, to the cent.
Where 5% GST is the whole story — and where it isn't
GST is Canada's federal sales tax, and it is 5% in every province and territory. In Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, that 5% is the only sales tax on your bill. Everywhere else, something is added or combined: the HST provinces roll their provincial portion into one harmonized rate, while BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec charge a separate provincial tax next to GST. That is why this calculator asks for your province — “how much is GST” usually really means “how much tax in total.”
Quick GST examples
| Before tax | GST (5%) | Total (GST-only province) |
|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $2.50 | $52.50 |
| $200.00 | $10.00 | $210.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 | $1,050.00 |
| $2,499.00 | $124.95 | $2,623.95 |
Reverse math is just as simple: divide a GST-included total by 1.05 to recover the pre-tax amount. The “Remove tax” tab above handles this — and switches to the right divisor automatically when your province charges more than GST alone.
GST for small businesses and freelancers
You become a mandatory registrant when taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. From then on you charge GST (or HST) on every taxable sale, file returns, and show your registration number on invoices. The upside is input tax credits: the GST you pay on business expenses comes back to you. Many freelancers register voluntarily before the threshold for exactly that reason — and because a GST number reads as established to commercial clients.
From calculation to invoice
Charging GST means showing it properly: its own line, the right rate, your registration number. Hit “Create an invoice with this tax” above and our free invoice generator opens with your province pre-selected — every tax line computed automatically, no signup, no watermark, and the PDF never leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
How much is GST in Canada?
The federal Goods and Services Tax is 5% everywhere in Canada. In Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon it is the only sales tax you pay. Other provinces either combine it into HST (13–15%) or add a provincial tax on top of it (BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec).
How do I calculate GST on a price?
Multiply the pre-tax amount by 5% (0.05) and add the result. On $200, GST is $10.00 and the total is $210.00. If your province charges more than GST alone, pick it in the calculator above and every applicable tax line is computed for you.
How do I remove GST from a total?
Divide the tax-included total by 1.05 to get the pre-tax amount, then subtract. For example, $210.00 ÷ 1.05 = $200.00, so the GST portion was $10.00. Switch the calculator above to “Remove tax (reverse)” to do this automatically for any province's rate.
What is the difference between GST and HST?
They are the same federal tax system. In Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI, the province's portion is harmonized with GST into a single HST rate (13%, 14%, or 15%) collected as one line. Everywhere else GST stays a separate 5% line.
When do I have to register for and charge GST?
Once your worldwide taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, you must register with the CRA, charge GST/HST, and show your registration number on invoices. Below that small-supplier threshold registration is optional — but voluntary registration lets you claim input tax credits.
Is GST charged on top of PST?
No — both are charged on the pre-tax price, side by side. In BC, for example, a $100 sale carries $5 GST and $7 PST, both calculated on the $100, for a $112 total. The same base-price rule applies to Manitoba RST and Quebec QST.
How do I show GST on an invoice?
Show the tax as its own line with the rate, and include your GST/HST registration number once you are registered — your customer needs it to claim input tax credits. Use the “Create an invoice with this tax” button above and the generator opens with your province's tax lines already applied.