Montreal welcome tax, the municipality's land transfer duty, applies on every property purchase. Montreal is the only Quebec city with municipal brackets up to 4%. Use the calculator on this page to estimate your cost under the 2026 rules.
Montreal is the only municipality in Quebec with five progressive municipal brackets (2026 rules), including a maximum rate of 4% for very high-value properties.
From Old Montreal to Griffintown, Rosemont to Outremont, the city attracts buyers, families, and investors. Include municipal transfer tax in your purchase budget.
New to Quebec? Montreal land transfer duty in plain English
In Quebec, buyers pay a municipal fee when property is transferred at the notary. You may hear welcome tax, land transfer duty, or transfer tax: they refer to the same charge in Montreal. The buyer pays it (not the seller). The city uses the higher of your purchase price or municipal assessment, then applies progressive rate brackets. The bill usually arrives a few months after closing; you typically have about 30 days to pay.
Illustrative Montreal amounts (2026 rules, tax base = purchase price):
- Condo (around $450,000): about $4,861 in welcome tax.
- Single-family home (around $849,000): about $12,329 (Montreal's progressive tiers apply above the provincial base).
- Home above $1M (around $1,100,000): about $17,349; higher tiers include municipal rates up to 4% on very large values.
Use the calculator on this page for your price, read step-by-step calculation examples, or see transfer tax rules across Quebec. First-time buyers from 2026 may qualify for a provincial reimbursement credit after paying the municipality.
Montreal municipal brackets in 2026 — up to 4%
Beyond the common provincial brackets (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%), Montreal adds specific municipal tiers:
- $315,000 to $552,300: 1.5%
- $552,300 to $1,104,700: 2%
- $1,104,700 to $2,136,500: 2.5%
- $2,136,500 to $3,113,000: 3.5%
- $3,113,000 and above: 4%
Montreal vs suburbs: same purchase price, different transfer tax
Montreal is not always the most expensive municipality for welcome tax. Between roughly $550,000 and $2.1M, the City's progressive brackets can yield a lower amount than Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, or Terrebonne (often 3% above $500,000). Amounts below use 2026 rules:
| Tax base | Montreal | Laval | Longueuil | Brossard | Terrebonne |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $5,611 | $5,611 | $5,611 | $5,611 | $5,611 |
| $600,000 | $7,349 | $8,611 | $7,111 | $8,611 | $8,611 |
| $750,000 | $10,349 | $13,111 | $11,159 | $13,111 | $13,111 |
| $849,000 | $12,329 | $16,081 | $14,129 | $16,081 | $16,081 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,349 | $20,611 | $18,659 | $20,611 | $20,611 |
| $1,500,000 | $27,326 | $35,611 | $33,659 | $35,611 | $35,611 |
Rounded amounts for the same purchase price (tax base). Green cells: lowest amount on that row. Confirm your scenario with the calculator.
Official source: montreal.ca
Calculation brackets in Montreal *
Use the higher of the purchase price or municipal assessment, then split the amount across the tiers below (overview : transfer tax in Quebec).
| Bracket | Amount |
|---|---|
| $0 to $62,900 | %0.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | %1.00 of the amount in this bracket |
| $315,000 to $552,300 | %1.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $552,300 to $1,104,700 | %2.00 of the amount in this bracket |
| $1,104,700 to $2,136,500 | %2.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $2,136,500 to $3,113,000 | %3.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $3,113,000 and more | %4.00 of the amount in this bracket |
Add the amount from each tier : the total is the welcome tax payable in Montreal.
Worked examples in Montreal *
A few scenarios to check your understanding of the calculation:
Example #1: Purchase of a $420,000 house
- $0 to $62,900 = $62,900 x %0.50 = $314.50
- $62,900 to $315,000 = $252,100 x %1.00 = $2,521.00
- $315,000 to $420,000 = $105,000 x %1.50 = $1,575.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $1,575.00 = $4,410.50
Example #2: Purchase of a $690,000 house
- $0 to $62,900 = $62,900 x %0.50 = $314.50
- $62,900 to $315,000 = $252,100 x %1.00 = $2,521.00
- $315,000 to $552,300 = $237,300 x %1.50 = $3,559.50
- $552,300 to $690,000 = $137,700 x %2.00 = $2,754.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $3,559.50 + $2,754.00 = $9,149.00
Example #3: Purchase of a $849,000 house
- $0 to $62,900 = $62,900 x %0.50 = $314.50
- $62,900 to $315,000 = $252,100 x %1.00 = $2,521.00
- $315,000 to $552,300 = $237,300 x %1.50 = $3,559.50
- $552,300 to $849,000 = $296,700 x %2.00 = $5,934.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $3,559.50 + $5,934.00 = $12,329.00
Example #4: Purchase of a $2,350,000 house
- $0 to $62,900 = $62,900 x %0.50 = $314.50
- $62,900 to $315,000 = $252,100 x %1.00 = $2,521.00
- $315,000 to $552,300 = $237,300 x %1.50 = $3,559.50
- $552,300 to $1,104,700 = $552,400 x %2.00 = $11,048.00
- $1,104,700 to $2,136,500 = $1,031,800 x %2.50 = $25,795.00
- $2,136,500 to $2,350,000 = $213,500 x %3.50 = $7,472.50
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $3,559.50 + $11,048.00 + $25,795.00 + $7,472.50 = $50,710.50
Calculations last updated on January 30, 2026 based on information available on the website of the city of Montreal.
Frequently asked questions: welcome tax in Montreal
What is the difference between welcome tax and transfer tax?
There is no difference: both names refer to the same municipal fee charged when property is transferred in Quebec.
Who pays the welcome tax in Montreal?
The buyer pays the welcome tax (transfer tax) to the municipality when purchasing a property.
How do you calculate the welcome tax in Montreal?
The calculation is based on the higher of the purchase price or municipal assessment, spread across rate brackets that vary by municipality, including Montreal.
When do you have to pay the welcome tax?
The municipality usually sends the bill between the 3rd and 6th month after signing at the notary. You then have about 30 days to pay.
Is there a first-time buyer rebate on welcome tax in Quebec?
From 2026, the refundable tax credit for property access can reimburse up to $5,875 of transfer duties already paid to the municipality (100% of the first $5,000, then 25% on the portion between $5,000 and $8,500), subject to eligibility and a reduction when the tax base exceeds $750,000. It is not an exemption at closing: you pay welcome tax to the municipality first, then the credit reimburses part of that amount if you are eligible. First-time buyer welcome tax reimbursement: eligibility and amounts (2026).
Does Montreal still charge welcome tax?
Yes. The City of Montreal still collects transfer duties on property transfers covered by the law. Rates and brackets can change: check the calculator and the City's official source.
What is the maximum welcome tax rate in Montreal?
Montreal applies a maximum municipal rate of 4% on the portion of value exceeding $3,113,000, in addition to the provincial base brackets.
Is the welcome tax higher in Montreal than elsewhere in Quebec?
Not necessarily. Montreal uses unique progressive brackets: between roughly $550,000 and $2.1M, the amount can be lower than cities applying 3% above $500,000. Use the calculator on this page to compare for your purchase price.
Is welcome tax the same in every borough?
Yes. For a purchase in Montreal, the City's municipal brackets apply regardless of borough.
Do I pay welcome tax if I inherit or receive a property as a gift?
Often no: many transfers without consideration (certain inheritances, gifts between close relatives, etc.) are exempt or treated differently. Your notary can confirm for your situation.