Canada’s GST and HST holiday begins today on select goods

Select goods and services will be temporarily exempt from GST and HST across Canada starting today, December 14th. 

This move from the federal government means that Canadians who make purchases on qualifying products from now until February 15th, 2025 will not have to pay sales tax on those items. 

The tax-exempt items include essential items and beyond like groceries, food & beverage services, children’s clothing and footwear, children’s diapers, children’s car seats, select toys and jigsaw puzzles, video game consoles and physical video games, physical books, printed newspapers, and Christmas trees. 

It’s official: Starting this weekend, essential items will be tax-free in Canada for two months.

From takeout meals and snacks, to children’s winter clothes and diapers — this is going to make life cost a little less.

— Pascale St-Onge (@PascaleStOnge_) December 13, 2024

For the period of the GST and HST holiday, Canadian businesses will not charge GST or HST on any qualifying goods, and shoppers will receive the tax break automatically with no further action required when making eligible purchases. 

Customers who have been charged GST or HST on a product they believe is exempt during this period should request a refund of the GST/HST amount. 

See more on the Government of Canada website. 

Lead image: Unsplash

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• holidays
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