Time's almost up! Canada's GST/HST holiday is coming to an end soon, which means your chance to snag a bunch of everyday essentials without the sales tax is running out.
For almost two months, Canadians have been enjoying a break from the goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST) on a long list of items — like groceries, children's clothing and even video game consoles — but that deal officially expires this weekend on February 15.
If you've gotten used to lower bills at checkout, brace yourself. Soon, the 5% GST will be back in full force across most of the country, while provinces that use HST — Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and P.E.I. — will once again see their 13% or 15% sales tax tacked back onto qualifying purchases.
That means you've got just a few days left to stock up on the tax-free savings before they disappear.
The temporary tax break covers a ton of everyday buys, including grocery staples, winter essentials for kids and even Christmas trees. If you've been meaning to grab a new video game, replace the kids' winter gear or just want to load up on tax-free snacks, this is your last chance.
Here's a look at all the items you won't pay GST or HST on until February 15:
Baby gear
- Bibs and baby blankets
- Diapers, liners, training pants and rubber pants for babies or kids
- Certified car seats and booster seats
Children's clothing & footwear
- Kids' clothing up to girls' size 16 or boys' size 20 (or kids' sizes XS to L)
- Socks, hats, ties, scarves, belts, suspenders, mittens and gloves designed for children or babies
- Shoes for kids or babies with insoles measuring 24.25 cm or less (i.e., up to kids' size 6.5 — which is equivalent to women's size 8)
Books & newspapers
- Printed books (but no notebooks, journals, colouring books or catalogues)
- Physical audiobooks (like CDs and tapes)
- Print newspapers with news and editorials (no digital publications or magazines)
Food & drinks
- Candy, chocolate, chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, pudding, ice cream and other packaged snacks
- Cakes, muffins, pies, cookies, and other sweet baked goods (most savoury baked goods are already tax-exempt by default)
- Salads, sandwiches, fruit and veggie trays, meat and cheese platters and other prepared foods
- Carbonated drinks, juice, flavoured beverages and drink mixes
- Bottled or unbottled water dispensed by the supplier
- Alcoholic beverages including wine, beer, cider and coolers (but no spirits)
- Food and drinks served (for dine-in or to go) at a restaurant, cafe, concession stand, etc.
Games & toys
- Toys for kids under 14 including board and card games, play sets, dolls and figurines, plushies, building blocks and plasticine
- Jigsaw puzzles for any age
- Video game consoles, controllers and physical copies of games (i.e., video game discs or cartridges)
- Christmas trees (real or artificial)
Happy tax-free shopping, Canada!
This article has been updated since it was originally published on January 31, 2025.
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