GST/HST Holiday FAQs
1. What is the GST/HST Holiday?
The GST/HST Holiday is a temporary measure that exempts certain goods from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) between December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025. This initiative is designed to reduce costs for consumers on specific holiday-related items.
2. Which products are eligible for the GST/HST exemption?
Eligible products include:
- Baby clothes.
- Children's clothes in sizes XS, S, M or L.
- Children's footwear with an insole length of 24.25 cm or less.
- Sports Clothing such as jerseys that can reasonably be worn outside of sport activities.
- Food & Chewing Gum.
- Children's toys/games designated for children 14 years and younger - however the majority of SLG toys and games will remain taxable.
- For more details, please refer to the Federal Government's Holiday Tax Break Information Page.
3. Which products are excluded from the GST/HST exemption?
Excluded Products include:
- Specialized clothing and footwear designed exclusively for sports or recreational activities such as: skates, cleats and equipment.
- Adult clothing or footwear, even if it’s purchased for a child.
- Supplements, including energy drinks, energy bars and gels.
4. If I placed an online order or made a purchase in-store before December 14th, am I eligible for a price adjustment on the taxes?
The tax exemption is only valid on purchases made during the specified time frame. The exemption does not apply to previous purchases.
5. If I return an item after the GST/HST Holiday time period has ended, which tax rate will be refund or credited?
If you return an item after the GST/HST Holiday period (December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025), your refund will include the same tax rate applied at the time of purchase. Therefore, if you bought an item during the tax holiday and return it afterward, you will be refunded the amount you paid, which excludes GST/HST.
6. Are services included in the GST/HST holiday?
No, the GST/HST holiday applies only to specific goods, not services.
7. What if I was incorrectly charged GST/HST during this period?
Exemptions are automatically applied once your order is submitted. Final tax details will be available in your order confirmation email. If you believe you were incorrectly charged, please contact Customer Care by selecting “Contact Us” from the bottom of our homepage for assistance.
8. How is tax applied if I purchase an item that is exempt with an item that isn’t?
If your purchase contains items that are exempt and non-exempt you will only be charged the tax on the items that are not exempt.
9. If I place an online order when will my exemptions be applied?
Eligible products will have GST/HST exemptions applied once your order is submitted and will be dependent on the province that you are shipping to. You will be able to view your final tax details in your order confirmation email.
10. Which Provinces are impacted by the GST/ HST Holiday?
Between December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025, select items will be exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), depending on your Province or Territory.
The following rate exemptions apply:
- 5% (GST) in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon.
- 13% (HST) in Ontario.
- 15% (HST) in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.