Harmonized Sales Tax

Overview

Effective July 1, 2010, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) replaced the 5% federal goods and services tax (GST) and the 8% retail sales tax (RST) on most goods and services in Ontario.

Currently, the Harmonized Sales Tax is 13% in Ontario. However, Ontario provides a rebate on the 8% provincial portion of the HST on specific items through a point-of-sale rebate.

Administration

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers and collects the HST on behalf of the Government of Ontario.

For answers to your HST questions and for more information, visit the CRA website or call the CRA at 1-800-959-8287.

Retail Sales Tax (RST)

The Government of Ontario administers the RST. RST is a separate tax from the HST. RST still applies on certain purchases of insurance and benefits plans, as well as on private purchases of specified vehicles.

The Government of Ontario also administers the Ontario First Nations HST rebate.

Additional information

The following information is found within this book:

• HST: Ontario point-of sale rebates
• HST: Ontario First Nations rebate
• HST: Taxable off-reserve information
• HST: Motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft