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Canada's GST/HST break has begun — here's everything you can buy tax-free before Christmas

Amazon, Canadian Tire and Best Buy Canada have created GST/HST-free sections on their websites — here's everything that's up for grabs.

Kayla Kuefler
·Senior Shopping & Lifestyle Editor
collage of gst/hst tax break products in canada, lego set, a court of thorns and roses, ps5 gaming console, starbucks nespresso pods, car seat
What's included in the GST/HST tax break? Here's what you can buy tax-free in Canada (Photos via Amazon & Best Buy Canada).

This past Saturday marked the beginning of a two-month tax holiday in Canada. This means that until Feb. 15, Canadians won't have to pay the GST/HST on a long list of food and holiday essentials, including Christmas trees, children's toys and most alcoholic beverages.

The GST/HST break, dubbed the "Tax Break for All Canadians Act," will save shoppers anywhere between $100 and $300 if they spend $2,000 on qualifying goods over the next two months. According to the federal government, Bill C-78 will provide an estimated $1.6 billion in federal tax relief.

In response to the holiday tax break, a handful of retailers, including Amazon Canada, Canadian Tire and Best Buy Canada, have created special GST/HST-free sections on their websites so you can easily browse the qualifying products.

For everything you need to know about the GST/HST tax break and what it does — and doesn't — include, scroll below.

young mother with a pram chooses clothes for her child in a children's clothing store
Children's clothing, footwear, diapers and car seats are among the items listed in Canada's two-month tax break plan (Getty).

The "Tax Break for All Canadians Act" is a two-month tax break on select items that will be in effect until Feb. 15, 2025.

Shoppers do not need to do anything to get the tax break; there is no claims process. The GST and HST will not be charged at the time of purchase. For an item to be sold tax-free, it must be paid for in full and delivered by the end of the tax break period (Feb. 15, 2025). Items will be considered delivered once they are transferred to a shipping service or posted in the mail rather than when they arrive at their destination.

In addition to the federal goods and services tax (GST), the harmonized provincial and federal sales tax (HST) will be waived in the provinces that charge HST — Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

The list of goods included in the two-month tax break is largely related to holiday essentials, including select food and beverage items, including restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages (excluding spirits), Christmas trees or similar decorative trees, and select children’s toys.

The tax break will apply to:

  • Children's clothing, footwear, diapers and car seats

  • Printed books and print newspapers

  • Christmas trees or similar decorative trees (natural and artificial)

  • Beer, wine and cider, as well as spirit coolers below seven per cent (ABV)

  • Select snacks, including chips, candy and granola bars

  • Select children's toys, including video games, board games, puzzles, dolls and soft toys

Click here for a comprehensive list of qualifying goods.

Close up of young Asian woman walking through supermarket aisle and choosing a bottle of red wine from the shelf in a supermarket
Beer, wine and cider can be purchased without HST/GST tax until February 15, 2025.

Amazon Canada is among the retailers with designed tax-free shopping sections. The included categories are:

  • LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box Building Toy Set

    $75 at Amazon

  • Starbucks by Nespresso Espresso Roast Coffee Capsules

    $35 at Amazon

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)

    $70 at Amazon

  • Safety 1st Grow and Go Extend 'N Ride All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

    $280 at Amazon

The following categories on Best Buy Canada are included in the federal tax break:

Quick shop: Best tax break deals on Best Buy Canada

The following categories on Canadian Tire are included in the federal tax break:

Quick shop: Best tax break deals on Canadian Tire

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