Winter GST Holiday
- Keung Heul Kim
- Nov 22, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 26, 2024

The Canadian government has unwrapped an early holiday present for consumers with the announcement of a Winter GST Holiday on November 21, 2024. This temporary tax break aims to ease financial pressures during the high-spending holiday season and into the new year.
Key Details of the GST Holiday
Duration: December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025
Savings: Elimination of GST/HST on qualifying items
Estimated Impact: $1.6 billion in federal savings for Canadians
What's Included?
The GST/HST break applies to a wide range of items, including:
Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches.
Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout or delivery.
Snacks, including chips, candy and granola bars.
Beer, wine, cider and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Children's clothing and footwear, car seats and diapers.
Children's toys, such as board games, dolls and video game consoles.
Books, print newspapers and puzzles for all ages.
Christmas trees.
With these exemptions, all food in Canada will be essentially tax-free.
Potential Savings
A family spending $2,000 on qualifying items could save $100 in GST during the holiday season. In provinces with HST, the savings could reach up to $260
Implementation
Businesses are expected to remove GST/HST on qualifying purchases at the point of sale. The tax relief will also apply to eligible goods imported during this period.
This Winter GST Holiday is part of a larger package aimed at addressing affordability issues and providing relief to Canadian families hit by rising prices.
As consumers gear up for holiday shopping, this temporary tax break offers a welcome opportunity to stretch their budgets a little further.
It's always advisable to consult with KKL CPA to ensure you're claiming as much as possible.
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