DeedWorthGuide · QuebecQuebec Welcome Tax by City: What Changes From One City to the Next
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In brief — The base welcome-tax scale is the same across Quebec: 0.5% up to $62,900, 1% up to $315,000, then 1.5% above. What differs from city to city is the higher tiers some municipalities add on the high-value portion — Montreal first, but also Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau and others.
Two buyers paying the same price can get a different welcome-tax bill simply because the property is in one city rather than another. The reason: beyond the common provincial scale, the law lets municipalities add their own tiers on high values. Here is how it plays out in the main cities.
The common base: the provincial scale
Everywhere in Quebec, the welcome tax (transfer duties) is computed by brackets on the tax base — the higher of the price paid and the adjusted assessment-roll value:
| Portion of the base | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $62,900 | 0.5% |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | 1.0% |
| Over $315,000 | 1.5% |
The thresholds of this scale are indexed each year. This is the calculation that applies in most municipalities.
What cities add
The law lets a municipality set, by by-law, a higher rate — up to 3% — on the portion of value above $500,000. In 2026, cities such as Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau, Brossard and Mercier apply such a higher tier above $500,000. The exact thresholds are indexed and can differ slightly by city.
Montreal goes further, with a special multi-tier regime in 2026: 2% above $552,300, 2.5% above $1,104,700, 3.5% above $2,136,500, then 4% above $3,113,000 (indexed annually).
By contrast, many municipalities stick to the standard provincial scale, with no extra tier.
Overview
| City | 2026 treatment |
|---|---|
| Montreal | Provincial scale + its own higher tiers (2% to 4% on high brackets) |
| Laval | Provincial scale + 3% on the portion above $500,000 |
| Longueuil | Provincial scale + higher tier (up to 3%) on high values; own indexed thresholds |
| Gatineau | Provincial scale + higher tier (up to 3%) above $500,000 |
| Quebec City and most cities | Standard provincial scale (0.5% / 1% / 1.5%) |
Because municipal thresholds are indexed and revised, check the current by-law of the city concerned before relying on an exact amount.
Why it matters for your analysis
The welcome tax is a closing cost that is not financed by the mortgage: keep the cash aside. On a high-value property in Montreal or a city with a higher tier, the gap versus the standard scale can be several thousand dollars — build it into the profitability calculation from the start, not after the fact.
Calculate your welcome tax
Our welcome-tax calculator applies the provincial scale and Montreal's higher tiers to estimate the amount to expect. For how it works, see the guide to the Quebec welcome tax. Analyze a property with DeedWorth →
FAQ
Is the welcome tax the same in every Quebec city? The base scale (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%) is the same everywhere. The difference comes from the higher tiers some cities add on the portion of value above $500,000.
Which cities cost more? Montreal applies its own tiers up to 4% on high brackets. Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau and others add a rate of up to 3% above $500,000. Most other municipalities stick to the provincial scale.
How is the Montreal welcome tax calculated in 2026? On top of the provincial scale come tiers of 2% above $552,300, 2.5% above $1,104,700, 3.5% above $2,136,500 and 4% above $3,113,000.
What value is the tax calculated on? On the tax base — the higher of the price paid and the assessment-roll value adjusted by the year's comparative factor.
Read more
- Quebec welcome tax: brackets and calculation 2026
- Buying a first plex in Quebec
- Cap rate for Canadian rentals
For information only. Municipal scales are indexed and revised every year; confirm the exact amount with your notary. Last verified: July 2026.