What does zero-rated mean in Canada?

Asked by: Cary Schimmel  |  Last update: May 30, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (35 votes)

In Canada, zero-rated goods and services are taxable items subject to a 0% Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), meaning customers pay no tax at the point of sale. Unlike exempt supplies, businesses selling zero-rated items can still claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) to recover the tax paid on related business expenses.

What is zero-rated in Canada?

Zero-rated supplies are supplies of property and services that are taxable at the rate of 0%. This means there is no GST/HST charged on these supplies, but GST/HST registrants may be eligible to claim ITCs for the GST/HST paid or payable on property and services acquired to provide these supplies.

What does it mean when an item is zero-rated?

Zero-rated VAT means certain goods and services are taxable at 0%, so customers do not have to pay any VAT on these items, but suppliers can still reclaim VAT paid on costs associated with providing them.

Does zero-rated mean no GST?

Zero-rated supplies are supplies that are not subject to GST in certain situations. A rate of 0% applies to these supplies. For example, a New Zealand architect designs a building to be constructed on an overseas property for an overseas client.

What do you mean by zero-rated?

What is Zero Rating? By zero rating it is meant that the entire value chain of the supply is exempt from tax. This means that in case of zero rating, not only is the output exempt from payment of tax, there is no bar on taking/availing credit of taxes paid on the input side for making/providing the output supply.

HST Tips & Tricks (Zero-rated vs. Exempt vs. Out of Scope)

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Are zero-rated items tax-free?

Zero-rated sales refer to transactions where goods are sold without any sales tax applied, effectively taxed at a rate of 0%. This means that while the items are technically taxable, the tax rate is zero. Common examples of zero-rated sales include basic groceries, prescription drugs, and certain medical devices.

What are the rules for zero rating?

For zero rating to be compulsory, the three criteria are… Both parties must be GST registered. The buyer must undertake that they will be using the property in a GST taxable activity. The buyer must undertake that the property will not be their principal place of residence.

What are the pros and cons of zero-rating?

Thus users of zero-rated services might benefit from its introduction, while non-users may find that their prices rise or download limits fall. The introduction of zero rating may also involve upselling as the ISP could limit zero- rated offers to more expensive plans.

Is GST free the same as zero-rated?

Under Australian GST law some sales are GST-free. This term is generally the same as: zero rated (in other countries with VAT/GST systems) exempt (in countries with sales tax systems).

Can you claim GST on zero-rated supplies?

GST Returns: Zero-rated transactions must be included in your GST returns, while exempt transactions do not appear. Input Tax Credits: For zero-rated supplies, you can claim back the GST on related expenses. For exempt supplies, you generally cannot.

Does zero-rated mean no VAT?

What does it mean to be zero-rated for VAT? Zero-rated goods and services are those that are taxable but at a rate of 0%. This means that the customer does not have to pay any VAT as it is charged at a rate of 0%, but because the supply is taxable, the supplier can reclaim VAT paid on the costs of making that supply.

What is an example of a zero-rated purchase?

Items designated as zero-rated can vary by country but typically include essential goods such as basic foodstuffs, prescription medications, and water services. Zero-rated goods are critical in international trade as they are not subject to VAT in cross-border transactions, lowering costs for importing and exporting.

Is zero rating legal?

Under California's net neutrality law, zero-rating and sponsored data programs violate the new law because certain content cannot be excluded from consumer data caps, or usage-based pricing.

What is the difference between zero-rated and exempt GST?

For a “zero-rated good,” the government doesn't tax its sale but allows credits for the value-added tax paid on inputs. If a good or business is “exempt,” the government doesn't tax the sale of the good, but producers cannot claim a credit for the VAT they pay on inputs to produce it.

Which items have no tax in Canada?

Non-taxable grocery items include:

  • Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
  • Fresh and frozen vegetables.
  • Meats, poultry, and fish.
  • Fresh fruits.
  • Eggs.
  • Cereal grains.
  • Coffee beans and tea leaves (not ready-made drinks)
  • Baking ingredients like flour and sugar.

How much tax do you pay on $70,000 a year in Canada?

For a $70,000 income in Canada (using 2025 rates), you'll pay roughly $13,000 to $20,000 in total taxes (federal, provincial, CPP, EI), depending on your province, resulting in a take-home pay around $50,000-$59,000, with federal tax around 14.5% or 20.5% depending on the portion, plus provincial tax and deductions like CPP and EI. 

Do I have to pay GST if I make less than $30,000?

You have to start charging GST/HST on the supply that made you exceed $30,000. You exceed the $30,000 threshold 1 over the previous four (or fewer) consecutive calendar quarters (but not in a single calendar quarter).

What is the difference between zero-rated and tax exempt?

Zero rating makes the supplies cheaper as no tax is chargeable while input tax can be claimed. Registered taxpayers who sell zero-rated supplies are entitled to a refund of input tax paid. This helps in furtherance of business. Exempt supplies are not taxable and any related input tax is therefore not deductible.

What is a zero-rated example?

Fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, etc. Education, health, public transport, etc. Software, handicrafts, jewellery, etc. Alcohol, petroleum, electricity, etc.

How do I know if a company is zero-rated?

To determine if your sale is zero-rated or VAT-exempt, check the Tax Code provisions and BIR regulations: Zero-Rated Sales: Your sale is zero-rated if it involves export sales, sales to foreign clients (under certain conditions), or specific transactions under Section 106(A)(2) of the Tax Code.

How does zero-rating work?

Zero-rating is the practice of providing Internet access without financial cost under certain conditions, such as by permitting access to only certain websites or by subsidizing the service with advertising or by exempting certain websites from the data allowance.

What is the minimum income to register for GST?

You must register for GST if:

  • your business has a GST turnover of $75,000 or more.
  • your non-profit organisation has a GST turnover of $150,000 or more.
  • you provide taxi or limousine travel (including ride-sourcing services like Uber or DiDi) regardless of your GST turnover.

Who is exempt from paying GST?

Answer: If turnover of the entity is less than the limit of Rs. 20 lakhs in a financial year, no tax would be payable. The exemption from payment of tax is applicable to services provided to a business entity having a turnover up to Rs. 20 lakh rupees.