Question

A store located in Vancouver, B.C., sells a computer for $1800 plus GST and PST. If the same model

is sold at the same price in a store in Toronto, Ontario, what is the difference in the prices paid by

consumers in the two stores?

Answer 1

The difference is $18 more in Toronto, Ontario than in Vancouver, B.C.

Explanation:

a) Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.), the GST and PST tax is 12% in total

So, the price will be equal to $2,016 ($1,800 x 1.12)

b) Toronto, Ontario, the tax includes the HST of GST, and PST totalling 13%

So, the price will be equal to $2,034 ($1,800 x 1.13)

c) Therefore, the difference is $18 more in Toronto, Ontario than in Vancouver, B.C.

d) GST means goods and services tax. In all Canada, it is 5%.

e) PST means provincial sales tax. In British Columbia, it is 7% and in Ontario, it is 8%.

f) HST means the harmonized sales tax, which is the addition of the two above. For British Columbia, the HST is 12% and in Ontario, the HST is 13%.