Alberta Sales Tax
Alberta charges only 5% GST (federal Goods and Services Tax).
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Federal GST | 5% |
| Provincial PST | 0% |
| Total Sales Tax | 5% |
GST Quick Calculator
| Price Before Tax | GST (5%) | Total Price |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.50 | $10.50 |
| $25.00 | $1.25 | $26.25 |
| $50.00 | $2.50 | $52.50 |
| $100.00 | $5.00 | $105.00 |
| $500.00 | $25.00 | $525.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 | $1,050.00 |
Alberta Tax Advantage
Savings vs Other Provinces
| Purchase | Alberta (5%) | Ontario (13%) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 item | $105.00 | $113.00 | $8.00 |
| $500 item | $525.00 | $565.00 | $40.00 |
| $1,000 item | $1,050.00 | $1,130.00 | $80.00 |
| $10,000 item | $10,500.00 | $11,300.00 | $800.00 |
| $40,000 car | $42,000.00 | $45,200.00 | $3,200.00 |
What’s Taxable at 5% GST
Most goods and services:
- Retail purchases
- Electronics
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Restaurant meals
- Professional services
- Vehicle purchases
- Home renovations
GST Exemptions (0%)
Same exemptions as all of Canada:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Basic groceries | Milk, bread, produce, meat |
| Prescription drugs | Medications with prescription |
| Medical devices | Wheelchairs, hearing aids |
| Health services | Doctor, dentist, physio |
| Childcare | Daycare services |
| Residential rent | Monthly rent |
| Used homes | Resale properties |
Big-Ticket Item Savings
Buying large items in Alberta vs Ontario:
| Item | Alberta Total | Ontario Total | Alberta Saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 vehicle | $52,500 | $56,500 | $4,000 |
| $20,000 furniture | $21,000 | $22,600 | $1,600 |
| $5,000 electronics | $5,250 | $5,650 | $400 |
| $3,000 appliances | $3,150 | $3,390 | $240 |
Alberta vs All Provinces
| Province | Sales Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 5% (GST only) |
| Yukon/NWT/Nunavut | 5% (GST only) |
| British Columbia | 12% (5% + 7% PST) |
| Saskatchewan | 11% (5% + 6% PST) |
| Manitoba | 12% (5% + 7% PST) |
| Ontario | 13% (HST) |
| Quebec | 14.975% (5% + 9.975% QST) |
| New Brunswick | 15% (HST) |
| Nova Scotia | 15% (HST) |
| PEI | 15% (HST) |
| Newfoundland | 15% (HST) |
Related Pages
GST/HST Credit (Federal Rebate)
All low-to-moderate income Canadians — including Albertans — may qualify for the GST/HST Credit, a quarterly federal payment that offsets GST paid. The credit is issued by the CRA automatically based on your tax return.
| Household Type | Maximum Annual Credit (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | ~$519 |
| Married/common-law couple | ~$680 |
| Per child under 19 | +$179 |
The credit phases out as net income rises. Single filers begin losing the credit above ~$40,000 in net income.
GST on Digital Services
Since July 2021, foreign digital service companies (Netflix, Spotify, Airbnb, Apple App Store, etc.) are required to collect and remit 5% GST on sales to Canadian consumers. This applies equally in Alberta. As a result, all streaming subscriptions, app purchases, and online rentals now include 5% GST regardless of where the platform is headquartered.
| Service | Approx. Monthly | GST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Standard | $17.99 | $0.90 | $18.89 |
| Spotify Premium | $11.99 | $0.60 | $12.59 |
| Apple iCloud+ 200GB | $3.99 | $0.20 | $4.19 |
Business GST Registration
Alberta businesses must register to collect and remit GST once annual revenue exceeds $30,000 (the small supplier threshold). Below $30,000, registration is optional.
| Threshold | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Under $30,000/year | Optional registration |
| $30,000 or more | Mandatory registration |
| Filing frequency | Monthly, quarterly, or annual depending on revenue |
Registered businesses can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) — deducting the GST they paid on business expenses from the GST they collected, remitting only the difference to the CRA.
Will Alberta Ever Introduce a PST?
Alberta’s resistance to a PST is long-standing. The province has relied heavily on natural resource royalties to fund public services. During oil price downturns (notably 2015–2016 and 2020), PST introduction has been debated, but no government has proceeded with it. Introducing a 7–8% PST would raise an estimated $10–13 billion annually — roughly eliminating the province’s recurring deficit. Alberta residents pay an estimated $2,000–$4,000 less per year in sales tax compared to Ontario residents with similar spending habits.