British Columbia · 2026 rates
GST + PST Calculator BC
Add or remove British Columbia's 12% sales tax. 5% GST plus a separate 7% provincial sales tax (PST).
Results update as you type.
Total With Tax
$112.00
Pre-Tax Amount
$100.00
Total Sales Tax (12%)
$12.00
Federal portion (GST 5%)
$5.00
Provincial portion (PST 7%)
$7.00
If $100.00 already includes tax, the price before tax is $89.29 and the tax is $10.71.
Sales Tax in British Columbia (2026)
British Columbia charges the 5% federal GST and a separate 7% PST. The province used a 12% HST from July 2010 but returned to GST plus PST on April 1, 2013, after a referendum.
- GST and PST are separate taxes: the GST is collected for the federal government and the PST for British Columbia. Both are charged on the pre-tax price, so the combined rate is 12%.
- Many items are PST-exempt but still pay 5% GST, including basic groceries, children's clothing and footwear, bicycles, prescription drugs and printed books.
- Some items carry a higher PST: liquor is taxed at 10% PST, and passenger vehicles over $55,000 pay a higher, tiered PST rate.
Rates as of 2026. Sources: Government of B.C. — PST; Canada Revenue Agency — GST/HST rates.
How to Calculate GST + PST in British Columbia
Adding tax: a $1,000 purchase in British Columbia carries $50.00 GST and $70.00 PST, for $120.00 in tax and a total of $1,120.00 ($1,000 × 1.12).
Removing tax: a $250.00 receipt that includes tax works out to $250.00 ÷ 1.12 = $223.21 before tax, so the tax paid was $26.79. Don't just take 12% off the total: that gives $220.00 and understates the tax.
GST + PST on Common Amounts in British Columbia (12%)
"Before tax" is what a price that already includes tax works out to without it.
| Amount | Tax added | Total with tax | Before tax (if tax included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.00 | $0.12 | $1.12 | $0.89 |
| $5.00 | $0.60 | $5.60 | $4.46 |
| $10.00 | $1.20 | $11.20 | $8.93 |
| $20.00 | $2.40 | $22.40 | $17.86 |
| $25.00 | $3.00 | $28.00 | $22.32 |
| $50.00 | $6.00 | $56.00 | $44.64 |
| $100.00 | $12.00 | $112.00 | $89.29 |
| $200.00 | $24.00 | $224.00 | $178.57 |
| $250.00 | $30.00 | $280.00 | $223.21 |
| $500.00 | $60.00 | $560.00 | $446.43 |
| $1,000.00 | $120.00 | $1,120.00 | $892.86 |
| $2,000.00 | $240.00 | $2,240.00 | $1,785.71 |
| $5,000.00 | $600.00 | $5,600.00 | $4,464.29 |
| $10,000.00 | $1,200.00 | $11,200.00 | $8,928.57 |
British Columbia Sales Tax Compared
Total you pay on the same purchase in nearby provinces.
| Province | Tax | Rate | $100 costs | $1,000 costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 12% | $112.00 | $1,120.00 |
| Alberta | GST | 5% | $105.00 | $1,050.00 |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 11% | $111.00 | $1,110.00 |
| Ontario | HST | 13% | $113.00 | $1,130.00 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax in BC?
12% on most purchases: 5% GST plus 7% PST. A $100 purchase costs $112.
Does BC have HST?
No. BC charged 12% HST from 2010 to March 31, 2013, then went back to separate GST and PST. The combined rate is still 12% on most items.
How do I remove GST + PST from a total in British Columbia?
Divide the tax-included total by 1.12. For example, $112.00 ÷ 1.12 = $100.00 before tax. Choose "Remove tax" in the calculator to do it automatically.
Do businesses have to charge GST/HST?
A business must register for GST/HST once its taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters (the CRA small-supplier threshold). Below that, registration is optional.
Is there sales tax on groceries?
Basic groceries such as milk, bread, fresh produce and meat are zero-rated for GST/HST across Canada. Snacks, soft drinks, restaurant meals and prepared food are taxable.
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