Nova Scotia · 2026 rates
HST Calculator Nova Scotia
Add or remove Nova Scotia's 14% sales tax. Harmonized sales tax (HST).
Results update as you type.
Total With Tax
$114.00
Pre-Tax Amount
$100.00
Total Sales Tax (14%)
$14.00
Federal portion (GST 5%)
$5.00
Provincial portion (HST 9%)
$9.00
If $100.00 already includes tax, the price before tax is $87.72 and the tax is $12.28.
Sales Tax in Nova Scotia (2026)
Nova Scotia's HST is 14% (5% GST + 9% provincial) since April 1, 2025, when the province cut it from 15%. It is now lower than the 15% HST in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI.
- The 14% HST is one combined tax: 5% federal GST plus a 9% provincial portion.
- Receipts and invoices dated before April 1, 2025 show 15% HST; anything since uses 14%.
- Basic groceries are zero-rated, so no HST applies to them.
Rates as of 2026. Sources: Canada Revenue Agency — GST/HST rates.
How to Calculate HST in Nova Scotia
Adding tax: a $1,000 purchase in Nova Scotia carries $50.00 GST and $90.00 HST, for $140.00 in tax and a total of $1,140.00 ($1,000 × 1.14).
Removing tax: a $250.00 receipt that includes tax works out to $250.00 ÷ 1.14 = $219.30 before tax, so the tax paid was $30.70. Don't just take 14% off the total: that gives $215.00 and understates the tax.
HST on Common Amounts in Nova Scotia (14%)
"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 | $0.14 | $1.14 | $0.88 |
| $5.00 | $0.70 | $5.70 | $4.39 |
| $10.00 | $1.40 | $11.40 | $8.77 |
| $20.00 | $2.80 | $22.80 | $17.54 |
| $25.00 | $3.50 | $28.50 | $21.93 |
| $50.00 | $7.00 | $57.00 | $43.86 |
| $100.00 | $14.00 | $114.00 | $87.72 |
| $200.00 | $28.00 | $228.00 | $175.44 |
| $250.00 | $35.00 | $285.00 | $219.30 |
| $500.00 | $70.00 | $570.00 | $438.60 |
| $1,000.00 | $140.00 | $1,140.00 | $877.19 |
| $2,000.00 | $280.00 | $2,280.00 | $1,754.39 |
| $5,000.00 | $700.00 | $5,700.00 | $4,385.96 |
| $10,000.00 | $1,400.00 | $11,400.00 | $8,771.93 |
Nova Scotia Sales Tax Compared
Total you pay on the same purchase in nearby provinces.
| Province | Tax | Rate | $100 costs | $1,000 costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | HST | 14% | $114.00 | $1,140.00 |
| New Brunswick | HST | 15% | $115.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | HST | 15% | $115.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | HST | 15% | $115.00 | $1,150.00 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the HST in Nova Scotia?
14% since April 1, 2025: 5% GST plus 9% provincial. A $100 purchase costs $114.
Why do some Nova Scotia receipts show 15% HST?
Nova Scotia's HST was 15% until March 31, 2025. The cut to 14% applies to sales from April 1, 2025.
How do I remove HST from a total in Nova Scotia?
Divide the tax-included total by 1.14. For example, $114.00 ÷ 1.14 = $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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