Canada's total tax burden varies significantly by province — combining income tax, sales tax (GST/HST/PST), and property tax into a very different picture depending on where you live. Alberta consistently ranks as the lowest-tax province due to its GST-only sales tax (5%) and relatively low income tax rates. Quebec is typically the highest-burden province, combining a 14.975% combined GST+QST sales tax with the highest provincial income tax rates in Canada. This hub calculator lets you compare your full tax picture across all Canadian provinces and territories.
Tax Amount
$0.00
Total with Tax: $0.00
Breakdown: GST: $0.00 | PST/QST: $0.00
Tax type: HST (13%)
0% pretax | 0% tax
Rates accurate as of March 2026. Source: Canada Revenue Agency.
| Province / Territory | Tax Type | Total Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | GST only | 5% | No provincial sales tax — lowest in Canada |
| Yukon | GST only | 5% | No PST/HST |
| Northwest Territories | GST only | 5% | No PST/HST |
| Nunavut | GST only | 5% | No PST/HST |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 11% | 5% GST + 6% PST |
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 12% | 5% GST + 7% PST |
| Manitoba | GST + RST | 12% | 5% GST + 7% RST |
| Ontario | HST | 13% | Harmonized — no separate PST |
| Nova Scotia | HST | 14% | Lower than other Atlantic HST provinces |
| Quebec | GST + QST | 14.975% | 5% GST + 9.975% QST — highest in Canada |
| New Brunswick | HST | 15% | Atlantic HST province |
| PEI | HST | 15% | Atlantic HST province |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | HST | 15% | Atlantic HST province |
| Province | At $50,000 | At $100,000 | At $150,000 | Overall Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Lower than most | Relatively low | Low-mid vs Canada | Lowest major province |
| Saskatchewan | Mid-low | Mid | Mid-high | Below average |
| BC | Middle | Mid-high | Higher at upper incomes | Average |
| Ontario | Middle | Mid-high | Higher than AB/SK | Average |
| Manitoba | Mid-high | Mid-high | Higher than AB/SK | Above average |
| New Brunswick | Mid-high | Mid-high | High vs AB/SK | Above average |
| Nova Scotia | Mid-high | Mid-high | High combined burden | Above average |
| PEI | High | Mid-high | High combined burden | High |
| Quebec | High | Highest major province | Highest major province | Highest |
| Territories (YK/NT/NU) | Lower overall | Lower overall | Lower overall | Low |
Alberta is consistently the lowest-tax province for most income levels in 2026. Alberta has no provincial sales tax (GST only at 5%), a relatively flat provincial income tax structure, and is frequently the benchmark province in tax comparisons. At $100,000 income, an Alberta resident pays significantly less combined income tax than an equivalent earner in Quebec, Ontario, or BC. The three northern territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) also have no PST or HST, making them low on the sales tax dimension.
Quebec has the highest overall tax burden among major Canadian provinces in 2026. Quebec combines a 14.975% combined GST+QST sales tax — the highest in Canada — with the highest provincial income tax rates among major provinces. Quebec administers its own provincial income tax separately from CRA, requiring residents to file two tax returns. However, Quebec's higher taxes fund more generous social programs including $10/day subsidized childcare, lower university tuition, and comprehensive provincial services.
Alberta: No provincial sales tax and a relatively simple income tax structure — the default low-tax benchmark for Canadian comparisons. British Columbia: GST + PST with a complex income tax ladder that becomes more impactful above $100,000. Manitoba: Uses GST + RST (Retail Sales Tax) rather than HST, with above-average property taxes in many cities. Saskatchewan: GST + PST at 11% — sits between Alberta and BC on the sales tax spectrum. Ontario: 13% HST harmonized system, large population, complex middle brackets with a provincial surtax at higher incomes. Quebec: GST + QST at 14.975%, separate provincial tax return, highest combined rates but most generous social programs. Nova Scotia: 14% HST — the Atlantic province with the lowest HST rate among 15% HST neighbours. New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland: All charge 15% HST — the highest sales tax rate in Canada. Territories: GST-only at 5%, no PST or HST.
Property tax in Canada is set at the municipal level, so province-wide averages can be misleading. Key patterns: BC often appears favorable on property tax percentage but home values in Vancouver are extremely high, making absolute dollar amounts significant. Ontario has high absolute property tax bills due to high home values, especially in the GTA. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have relatively high property tax rates in some cities. Quebec's property tax varies significantly by municipality. Alberta's property tax rates vary by city — Calgary and Edmonton have different rates despite being in the same province.
Alberta has the lowest sales tax in Canada at 5% (GST only) — no provincial sales tax applies. Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut also charge only 5% GST. The highest sales tax is in Quebec at 14.975% (GST + QST), followed by New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland at 15% HST.
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador all charge 15% HST — the highest in Canada. Nova Scotia charges 14% HST. Ontario charges 13% HST. BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan use a separate GST + PST system rather than HST.
BC uses a separate GST + PST system in 2026 — not HST. BC charges 5% federal GST plus 7% provincial PST, for a combined rate of 12% on most taxable purchases. BC returned to a separate GST + PST system in 2013 after voters rejected the HST in a referendum.
Quebec is unique in several ways: it administers its own provincial income tax separately from CRA (requiring two tax returns), charges GST + QST at a combined 14.975% — the highest sales tax in Canada — and has the highest provincial income tax rates among major provinces. Quebec residents also pay QPP instead of CPP, with slightly different contribution rates.
For most income levels, yes. Alberta has no provincial sales tax (GST only at 5%), no provincial payroll tax, and relatively competitive income tax rates. At $100,000 income, Alberta residents typically pay $2,000–$4,000 less in combined income tax than Ontario residents and $4,000–$8,000 less than Quebec residents.
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is the 5% federal tax that applies across all of Canada. PST (Provincial Sales Tax) is a separate provincial tax charged by BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba on top of GST. HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) combines the federal GST and provincial component into a single rate — used by Ontario (13%), Nova Scotia (14%), and New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland (15%). Quebec uses QST (Quebec Sales Tax) at 9.975% on top of GST.
Sales tax tool above covers GST/HST/PST/QST on purchases. Income and property tax are contextual — use the income and take-home calculators for your situation. Educational only; not tax advice.