The welcome tax in Quebec City, also called land transfer duty or real estate transfer tax, is paid by the buyer to the municipality when purchasing property. Estimate the amount with the calculator on this page, preset to Quebec City (2026 rules): the higher of the purchase price or municipal assessment applies.
Quebec City applies progressive municipal brackets (2026 rules): 1.5% up to $500,000, 2.5% up to $750,000, then 3% above.
Heritage neighbourhoods (Old Quebec, Limoilou, Sainte-Foy…) and an active housing market. The worked examples below illustrate the calculation for your purchase price.
Quebec City municipal brackets in 2026
Beyond provincial base tiers, Quebec City adds three municipal levels ($500,000 and $750,000 thresholds). This differs from Montreal and from two-tier cities (1.5% / 3%) like Laval or Lévis.
Calculation brackets in Quebec City *
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 $500,000 | %1.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $500,000 to $750,000 | %2.50 of the amount in this bracket |
| $750,000 and more | %3.00 of the amount in this bracket |
Add the amount from each tier : the total is the welcome tax payable in Quebec City.
Worked examples in Quebec City *
A few scenarios to check your understanding of the calculation:
Example #1: Purchase of a $310,000 house
- $0 to $62,900 = $62,900 x %0.50 = $314.50
- $62,900 to $310,000 = $247,100 x %1.00 = $2,471.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,471.00 = $2,785.50
Example #2: Purchase of a $529,000 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 $500,000 = $185,000 x %1.50 = $2,775.00
- $500,000 to $529,000 = $29,000 x %2.50 = $725.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $2,775.00 + $725.00 = $6,335.50
Example #3: Purchase of a $1,650,000 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 $500,000 = $185,000 x %1.50 = $2,775.00
- $500,000 to $750,000 = $250,000 x %2.50 = $6,250.00
- $750,000 to $1,650,000 = $900,000 x %3.00 = $27,000.00
- Amount to pay: $314.50 + $2,521.00 + $2,775.00 + $6,250.00 + $27,000.00 = $38,860.50
Calculations last updated on January 30, 2026 based on information available on the website of the city of Quebec City.
Frequently asked questions: welcome tax in Quebec City
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 Quebec City?
The buyer pays the welcome tax (transfer tax) to the municipality when purchasing a property.
How do you calculate the welcome tax in Quebec City?
The calculation is based on the higher of the purchase price or municipal assessment, spread across rate brackets that vary by municipality, including Quebec City.
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).