Canada’s GST/HST break on grocery items is coming to an end soon, and if you’re looking to save on your next grocery bill, now is the time to stock up! As of Saturday, February 15, 2025, the temporary freeze on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will expire, and certain grocery products will no longer be exempt from these taxes. This means that some food and beverage prices are set to rise, so it’s a smart move to plan ahead.
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The GST/HST break applies to specific foods and drinks that were not already zero-rated or exempt from taxes before. This means that while some grocery items have always been tax-free, others, such as prepared foods, snacks, and certain beverages, are currently benefiting from the temporary tax relief. But when the break ends, you’ll need to pay the additional tax, which could make these items more expensive.
No matter where you shop—whether it’s discount retailers like Costco, Walmart, and No Frills, or higher-end stores like Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro—you can take advantage of this tax break to save some cash. Here’s a list of grocery items to grab before the GST/HST exemption disappears:
Food Items to Stock Up On Before the GST/HST Break Ends
- Prepared Foods: Sandwiches, salads, cheese or vegetable platters, and pre-made meals. If you like having ready-to-eat meals on hand, now is the time to stock up before you start paying tax again.
- Snacks: This category includes everything from chips, crisps, puffs, and cheese curls to popcorn and pretzels. Also, snack mixtures that combine cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and seeds (but not breakfast cereals) will be tax-free until February 15.
- Candies and Confectionery: Stock up on your favorite candies, chewing gum, chocolate, and even items like candy floss and lollipops. Once the freeze ends, you’ll need to pay the tax.
- Granola Products: Granola bars (excluding breakfast cereals) will remain tax-free until mid-February, so now is the time to grab a few extra boxes.
- Frozen Treats: Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and non-dairy substitutes will continue to be tax-free. So if you’re a fan of cold desserts, grab those extra tubs before prices go up.
- Baked Goods: Cakes, muffins, tarts, cookies, and pastries that come in quantities of less than six (like single-serve treats) are also currently exempt from GST/HST. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t wait too long to stock up.
- Energy Bars and Protein Bars: These are considered tax-free only if they are marketed similarly to other snacks and not as a specialized nutrition product. But until the GST/HST break ends, you can enjoy the savings.
Drink Items to Stock Up On Before the GST/HST Break Ends
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Coffee, tea, juices, smoothies, and carbonated drinks will remain tax-free for now. If you regularly buy these items, consider picking up extra before the tax relief expires.
- Beer and Malt Beverages: Canned and bottled beer, pitchers, and similar malt beverages are currently tax-free and will continue to be until February 15.
- Wine, Cider, and Sake: Any alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 22.9% ABV or lower are exempt, so if you enjoy a glass of wine or cider, stock up while you still can.
- Spirit Coolers and Premixed Alcoholic Beverages: These drinks, which are 7% ABV or lower, are still tax-free for now, but that won’t last much longer.
- Energy or Protein Drinks: As long as they are marketed as regular thirst-quenching beverages and not as nutritional supplements, you can purchase energy or protein drinks without paying the extra tax.
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With the GST/HST break set to end on February 15, 2025, now is the time to make your grocery list and stock up on your favorite tax-free foods and drinks. Whether you’re buying snacks, prepared meals, or beverages, taking advantage of the temporary freeze will save you some money before prices increase. Don’t wait too long—shop now, and ensure you’re not caught paying extra tax on these everyday items when the break ends!
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