Nova Scotia Sales Tax Calculator - Comparewise

Nova Scotia Sales Tax Calculator

Sales taxes are pretty complicated in Canada because each province charges sales taxes in a different way.

So any consumer who wants to know precise costs for products with taxes included, or businesses that want to know how much to tax their customers could benefit from using a Nova Scotia tax calculator.

Nova Scotia uses what’s known as a Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST, which is a combination of both provincial taxes and federal sales taxes.

How do HSTs work, what rate does Nova Scotia use, and are there any exemptions to HST? We’ll tell you everything you need to know in our Nova Scotia sales tax calculator article! 

What is HST?

HST stands for “Harmonized Sales Tax”, and it’s essentially a combination of both PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and the federal GST (Goods and Services Tax). It’s typically a flat rate of 15%, except for in Ontario where it’s 13%. 

Nova Scotia started using HST in 2010 and it’s supposed to make paying taxes on goods and services a bit easier for customers, as well as making charging sales tax a bit easier for business owners. 

Exemptions to the HST in Nova Scotia

Something that’s important to know when you’re using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator is the fact that there are a few products that are exempt from the provincial portion of the HST. Here are some of the exempt products: 

  • Books (includes audiobooks)
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Diapers
  • Children’s clothing and shoes

It should also be noted that many of these exemptions are also exempt from the federal GST. 

First nations people and HST

In Canada, Indigenous people are referred to as “First Nations people”, and many of their purchases are exempt from HST. If a First Nations individual makes a purchase on reserved land, then it’s exempt from HST. 

If a non-Indigenous person makes a purchase on reserved land then that purchase is subject to HST. There are several other rules that apply to First Nations purchases, as well. To find out more about how the HST affects First Nations people, click here

Exemptions from federal GST

Another consideration when using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator is that there are two categories of exemptions from GST: zero-rated products and services, and exemptions. Zero-rated products have a sales tax rate of 0%, while exemptions aren’t taxed at all.

Here are some of the products and services that are exempt from GST:

Zero-rated products and services

  • Prescription, but not over-the-counter, drugs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Medical devices
  • Grocery items, such as eggs, dairy products, meat, cereal, coffee, tea, and vegetables

Services exempt from GST

  • Resale of residential property that has been previously owned or used
  • Residential or condominium rentals which last longer than a month
  • Educational services that are required in specific industries or which result in diplomas or certificates, or whose curriculums are created by school authorities. 
  • Dental and medical services that are provided by physicians and medical professionals
  • Financial services that are provided by financial institutions (these include bank fees for things like operating a spending account or transfer fees)
  • Daycare or childcare services
  • Legal aid services
Https://Comparewise.ca/Wp-Content/Uploads/2023/07/Nova-Scotia-Sales-Tax-Calculator-1.Png

How are out-of-province purchases taxed? 

If you’re using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then one of the things you’ll want to know is how purchases that are made outside of the province are taxed. 

If a customer comes to a physical location or business to purchase goods or services, then HST is charged at the point of sale. If a customer makes a purchase from another province or the product is delivered to another province, then they’re taxed according to the taxes charged by their province. 

Basically, when it comes to HST, the location of the point of sale is of utmost importance. 

Which businesses are required to collect HST in Nova Scotia?

Many people who would benefit from using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator are business owners, and thus it’s natural that they’d want to know if they’re required to charge and collect HST. 

Any business that makes more than $30,000 per year is required to register to charge and collect HST. The CRA collects the HST from the businesses and then disperses the PST to the appropriate government agencies. 

If your business doesn’t make more than $30,000 per year then it may be beneficial to voluntarily collect HST because there are tax breaks for businesses that do. 

Nova scotia HST tax credit

If you’re a low-income person in Nova Scotia that’s come here looking for a Nova Scotia tax calculator, you’re in luck. You may qualify for HST tax credits.

This tax credit starts at $299, with the addition of $157 if your family’s combined income is more than $9, 686. If you make more than $38, 892 then the amount drops incrementally. 

The credit is paid out on January 5th, April 5th, July 5th and October 5th each year. Because they’re paid out on the same dates each year, it’s easy for you to remember and start watching for them. 

Where to find a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator

There are lots of Nova Scotia sales tax calculator options on the internet, but they’re not all of the same quality.

Some of them aren’t even accurate, which makes them useless and could even cause problems for business owners that use them. But, don’t worry. We’ve got your back with a couple of high-quality calculators. 

If you’re looking for a simple Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then the one from Hellosafe is a good place to start. It allows you to either do a standard sales tax calculation, entering the amount before taxes. You can also do a reverse sales tax calculation to find out how much a product costs before taxes. 

If you’re looking for a more detailed Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then the one provided by Wowa is great.

Not only can you do a standard sales tax calculation, as well as a reverse sales tax calculation, it shows you the amount and percentage of each sales tax being charged in a way that’s easy to read and understand. So if you’re new to HSTs in Nova Scotia, this is an excellent calculator for you. 

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Item Amount (Max. $100,000,000)

Price is

Province

Result

Total Amount
Tax Paid

You will in taxes. Therefore, the total amount paid is .

Nova Scotia Sales Tax Calculator

Sales taxes are pretty complicated in Canada because each province charges sales taxes in a different way.

So any consumer who wants to know precise costs for products with taxes included, or businesses that want to know how much to tax their customers could benefit from using a Nova Scotia tax calculator.

Nova Scotia uses what’s known as a Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST, which is a combination of both provincial taxes and federal sales taxes.

How do HSTs work, what rate does Nova Scotia use, and are there any exemptions to HST? We’ll tell you everything you need to know in our Nova Scotia sales tax calculator article! 

What is HST?

HST stands for “Harmonized Sales Tax”, and it’s essentially a combination of both PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and the federal GST (Goods and Services Tax). It’s typically a flat rate of 15%, except for in Ontario where it’s 13%. 

Nova Scotia started using HST in 2010 and it’s supposed to make paying taxes on goods and services a bit easier for customers, as well as making charging sales tax a bit easier for business owners. 

Exemptions to the HST in Nova Scotia

Something that’s important to know when you’re using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator is the fact that there are a few products that are exempt from the provincial portion of the HST. Here are some of the exempt products: 

  • Books (includes audiobooks)
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Diapers
  • Children’s clothing and shoes

It should also be noted that many of these exemptions are also exempt from the federal GST. 

First nations people and HST

In Canada, Indigenous people are referred to as “First Nations people”, and many of their purchases are exempt from HST. If a First Nations individual makes a purchase on reserved land, then it’s exempt from HST. 

If a non-Indigenous person makes a purchase on reserved land then that purchase is subject to HST. There are several other rules that apply to First Nations purchases, as well. To find out more about how the HST affects First Nations people, click here

Exemptions from federal GST

Another consideration when using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator is that there are two categories of exemptions from GST: zero-rated products and services, and exemptions. Zero-rated products have a sales tax rate of 0%, while exemptions aren’t taxed at all.

Here are some of the products and services that are exempt from GST:

Zero-rated products and services

  • Prescription, but not over-the-counter, drugs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Medical devices
  • Grocery items, such as eggs, dairy products, meat, cereal, coffee, tea, and vegetables

Services exempt from GST

  • Resale of residential property that has been previously owned or used
  • Residential or condominium rentals which last longer than a month
  • Educational services that are required in specific industries or which result in diplomas or certificates, or whose curriculums are created by school authorities. 
  • Dental and medical services that are provided by physicians and medical professionals
  • Financial services that are provided by financial institutions (these include bank fees for things like operating a spending account or transfer fees)
  • Daycare or childcare services
  • Legal aid services
Https://Comparewise.ca/Wp-Content/Uploads/2023/07/Nova-Scotia-Sales-Tax-Calculator-1.Png

How are out-of-province purchases taxed? 

If you’re using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then one of the things you’ll want to know is how purchases that are made outside of the province are taxed. 

If a customer comes to a physical location or business to purchase goods or services, then HST is charged at the point of sale. If a customer makes a purchase from another province or the product is delivered to another province, then they’re taxed according to the taxes charged by their province. 

Basically, when it comes to HST, the location of the point of sale is of utmost importance. 

Which businesses are required to collect HST in Nova Scotia?

Many people who would benefit from using a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator are business owners, and thus it’s natural that they’d want to know if they’re required to charge and collect HST. 

Any business that makes more than $30,000 per year is required to register to charge and collect HST. The CRA collects the HST from the businesses and then disperses the PST to the appropriate government agencies. 

If your business doesn’t make more than $30,000 per year then it may be beneficial to voluntarily collect HST because there are tax breaks for businesses that do. 

Nova scotia HST tax credit

If you’re a low-income person in Nova Scotia that’s come here looking for a Nova Scotia tax calculator, you’re in luck. You may qualify for HST tax credits.

This tax credit starts at $299, with the addition of $157 if your family’s combined income is more than $9, 686. If you make more than $38, 892 then the amount drops incrementally. 

The credit is paid out on January 5th, April 5th, July 5th and October 5th each year. Because they’re paid out on the same dates each year, it’s easy for you to remember and start watching for them. 

Where to find a Nova Scotia sales tax calculator

There are lots of Nova Scotia sales tax calculator options on the internet, but they’re not all of the same quality.

Some of them aren’t even accurate, which makes them useless and could even cause problems for business owners that use them. But, don’t worry. We’ve got your back with a couple of high-quality calculators. 

If you’re looking for a simple Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then the one from Hellosafe is a good place to start. It allows you to either do a standard sales tax calculation, entering the amount before taxes. You can also do a reverse sales tax calculation to find out how much a product costs before taxes. 

If you’re looking for a more detailed Nova Scotia sales tax calculator then the one provided by Wowa is great.

Not only can you do a standard sales tax calculation, as well as a reverse sales tax calculation, it shows you the amount and percentage of each sales tax being charged in a way that’s easy to read and understand. So if you’re new to HSTs in Nova Scotia, this is an excellent calculator for you. 

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October 29, 2023
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