The tax implications of moving to Québec |
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By Jason Heath, CFP on January 7, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
By Jason Heath, CFP on January 7, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The Québec tax system has some key differences compared to other parts of Canada or other countries. Here is a round-up.
If you are moving to Québec from elsewhere in Canada or from another country, there are a number of important tax considerations to understand.
Unlike other parts of Canada, you file two tax returns when you live in Québec: a federal tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and a provincial tax return with Revenu Québec.
In addition to a federal T1 tax return, you file a provincial TP1 tax return. This alone can add complexity and, in many cases, higher accounting costs—especially if you have a business, significant investment income, or multiple sources of income.
The tax rates in Québec are relatively high compared to other provinces. This is noticeable particularly at lower- and middle-income levels. The gap tends to narrow at higher incomes, but taxpayers can expect to pay more in Québec than the rates payable in Ontario or western provinces.
For example, at $75,000 of taxable income, a Québec resident would pay about $17,000 of tax, ignoring tax deductions or credits. In Ontario, that same taxpayer would pay about........