Why do tax rates differ by province?

Canada has no universal harmonized sales tax system. The federal GST is 5% everywhere, but provinces add their own tax on top — ranging from nothing in Alberta to an additional 10% in Atlantic provinces.

Is postal code tax lookup accurate for invoicing?

The first letter of a Canadian postal code maps to a specific province, making this lookup reliable. Always confirm the customer's shipping province for business use rather than relying solely on postal code.

What is the difference between HST and GST+PST?

HST is a single merged rate. GST+PST means two separate taxes on the same purchase. Quebec's QST is unique — it is calculated on the GST-inclusive price.

Canadian Postal Code Tax Rate Lookup 2026

Q: Do I charge tax based on my location or my customer's?

In Canada, sales tax is generally destination-based. You charge the rate for the province where your customer receives the goods or service — not where your business is located.

Canadian Postal Code

Amount to Calculate Tax On (optional)

📮 Tax Rate Result

📬 Postal Code Prefix Guide

A — NL 15%

B — NS 15%

C — PE 15%

E — NB 15%

G/H/J — QC 14.975%

K/L/M/N/P — ON 13%

R — MB 12%

S — SK 11%

T — AB 5%

V — BC 12%

X — NWT/NU 5%

Y — YT 5%

Canadian Sales Tax by Postal Code

Getting the right tax rate on Canadian invoices and receipts is a compliance requirement. Charging the wrong rate — even accidentally — can result in CRA penalties. For businesses selling across provincial lines, knowing each province's exact rate is a daily operational need.

Canadian postal codes follow a predictable pattern: the first letter identifies the province. "M" codes are Ontario, "V" codes are BC, "T" codes are Alberta, "H" codes are Quebec, and so on. This makes postal code-based tax lookup fast and reliable for most retail and shipping scenarios.

For e-commerce businesses, note that digital products and services have specific GST/HST rules that differ from physical goods. If you sell software, subscriptions, or digital downloads to Canadian customers, consult the CRA's guidelines on GST/HST for e-commerce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I charge tax based on my location or my customer's?

Your customer's province (destination-based). A business in Alberta shipping to an Ontario customer charges Ontario's 13% HST.

What province does postal code starting with "T" belong to?

Alberta — which charges only 5% GST with no provincial sales tax, making it the lowest-tax province in Canada for purchases.

🔧 Other Tools You Might Need

🧾 HST / GST Calculator 💰 Canadian Paycheque Calculator 🏡 Canadian Mortgage Calculator 📈 RRSP / TFSA Calculator 🏠 Ontario Rent Increase Calculator

Canadian Postal Code Tax Lookup

📬 Postal Code Prefix Guide

Canadian Sales Tax by Postal Code

Frequently Asked Questions

🔧 Other Tools You Might Need