Tax Memo: Ontario Sales Tax Harmonization

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Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced that, effective July 1, 2010, Ontario will harmonize its sales tax system with the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This means instead of a five per cent federal GST and an eight percent Ontario Retail Sales Tax (RST), the province will have a single 13 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have used this system since 1997.

Most economists will see this decision as a step towards improving the productivity and competitiveness of Ontario's economy. However, it will have a different impact on the province’s industry sectors. The following industry-specific Tax Memos share how the HST may affect your business and provide ways to prepare for the transition.

  Ontario Sales Tax Harmonization Overview

89 KB Tax Memo: Ontario Sales Tax Harmonization: Overview (89 KB)
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  Electricity Utilities

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Electricity Utilities (77 KB)
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  Financial Services

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Financial Services (78 KB)
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  Forestry

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Forestry (78 KB)
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  Information Technology

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Information Technology (77 KB)
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  Manufacturing

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Manufacturing (75 KB)
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  Mining

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Mining (76 KB)
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  Municipalities, Universities, Schools and Hospitals

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Municipalities, Universities, Schools and Hospitals (82 KB)
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  Not-For-Profit and Charity

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Not-For-Profit and Charity (82 KB)
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  Real Estate Development

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Real Estate Development (77 KB)
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  Retail Trade

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Retail Trade (85 KB)
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  Telecommunications

89 KB Tax Memo: Harmonization — Telecommunications (77 KB)
Download the full PDF Tax Memo.