Buying silver in Alberta
Investment-grade silver (silver of at least 99.9% purity, in bars, wafers or coins) is exempt from GST/HST everywhere in Canada. In Alberta, jewellery and other taxable silver items carry 5% GST.
Silver has one national spot price in Canadian dollars: the prices on this page are the same as on the silver price in Canada page. What differs in Alberta is tax, explained below.
Sales tax on silver in Alberta
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so only the 5% GST applies to taxable items.
Taxable everywhere: sterling silver, 90% and 80% silver coins and collector coins sold above their metal value, and silver jewellery and sterling silverware. In Alberta these carry 5% GST, charged on the full price including the making charge or premium.
The federal rule
Under the federal Excise Tax Act, gold and platinum of at least 99.5% purity and silver of at least 99.9% purity, in bars, ingots, wafers or coins, are "precious metals" and are exempt from GST/HST. Coins below that purity (for example 22K Krugerrands and American Gold Eagles, or 90% silver coins), collector coins sold above metal value, sterling silver and all jewellery are taxable.
Tax when you sell silver in Alberta
When you sell, the CRA usually treats a profit on bullion held as an investment as a capital gain: half of the gain is added to your income and taxed at your federal and provincial rates (the 2024 proposal to raise the inclusion rate to two-thirds was cancelled in March 2025). Frequent trading can make profits fully taxable business income. The provincial part of your income tax is Alberta's, at your provincial marginal rate. Sales tax does not apply when you sell bullion to a dealer.
Silver in Alberta
Alberta has the lowest sales tax on jewellery in the provinces, along with the three territories: 5% GST only.
Buying and selling
Dealers in precious metals and stones must verify your identity for purchases of $10,000 or more and report cash transactions of $10,000 or more to FINTRAC. Dealers sell Maple Leafs and bars at a premium over the spot price shown here and buy back a little under it. The main bullion dealers and jewellers in the province are in Calgary and Edmonton.
Tax and duty information last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your dealer or tax authority before a large purchase.