On December 12, 2024, the legislation to enact the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) break was passed into law by the Government of Canada. The GST/HST break lasts from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, and gives a tax break on many everyday essentials.
Types of items that qualify
The GST/HST break includes certain qualifying daily necessities as well as items that bring joy to the season, such as:
- Children’s clothing and footwear
- Children’s diapers
- Children’s car seats
- Certain children’s toys
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Video game consoles, controllers, and physical video games
- Physical books
- Printed newspapers
- Christmas and similar decorative trees
- Most food and beverages and related services
What do I need to do to get this tax break as a shopper?
Nothing at all! As a shopper, you should automatically receive this tax break on qualifying items at checkout. No GST/HST should be charged on the qualifying items when you make your purchases between December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025.
Generally, you do not need to save your receipts, unless you’re accidentally charged GST/HST on a qualifying item. If that happens, simply ask the supplier or retailer for a refund of the GST/HST.