Le prix affiché + 14,975 % — l'arithmétique de tous les achats au Québec.
1. Why the sticker price is misleading
In Quebec, taxes are never included in the displayed price.
- GST: 5% (federal)
- QST: 9.975% (provincial)
- Total added: about 14.975% on top of the displayed price
2. Quick calculation in stores
Quick calculation: displayed price × 1.15 = approximate price at the register.
- $20 displayed → ~$23
- $100 displayed → ~$115
- $1,000 displayed → ~$1,150
3. What is NOT taxed
No taxes on:
- Basic food: fruits, vegetables, meats, milk, bread
- Prescription drugs
- Essential medical services
- Residential rent
4. What IS taxed
Taxed:
- Clothing, furniture, electronics
- Gas, professional services
- Restaurants, chips, prepared desserts
- Internet, cell phones, subscriptions
Rule of thumb: almost everything is taxed, except basic food, residential rent, and essential care. At a restaurant and on services, the full 14.975% is always added to the displayed price.
| Category | Taxed? | Total taxes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic food (fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, bread) | ❌ | 0% |
| Prescription drugs | ❌ | 0% |
| Residential rent | ❌ | 0% |
| Essential medical services | ❌ | 0% |
| Clothing, furniture, electronics | ✅ | ~14.975% |
| Gas, professional services | ✅ | ~14.975% |
| Restaurants, chips, prepared desserts | ✅ | ~14.975% |
| Internet, cell phones, subscriptions | ✅ | ~14.975% |
5. Reclaiming GST/QST as a business
For self-employed workers and businesses:
- Registration mandatory at $30,000 of annual revenue
- You charge taxes to your clients
- You recover taxes paid on business purchases (ITC / ITR)
6. Your action list
Follow these concrete actions to master Quebec taxes. Check each box as you go: your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Get into the habit of adding 15% mentally to the displayed price
- Identify what is taxed (clothing, services) vs exempt (basic food)
- Calculate the restaurant tip correctly (15-20% before tax)
- If a business: register for GST/QST at $30,000 of revenue
7. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on GST and QST: why taxes aren't in the displayed price, what services are taxed, the GST-QST credit for low income, online out-of-province purchases, and registration for self-employed workers.
Why aren't taxes ever included in the displayed price?
It's a North American convention — Canada and the United States display prices BEFORE taxes.
The reason is historical: tax rates vary by province/state, so a national retailer can advertise a single price across many regions.
It's annoying at first, but you'll get used to adding ~15% mentally in Quebec. Some categories (gas at the pump, books in some provinces) display tax-inclusive prices. Restaurant menus, retailers and online stores almost never do.
Are services taxed like products?
Yes — most services are subject to GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) — total 14.975%. Included:
- Restaurant meals, hair salons, mechanics
- Accountants, lawyers, software subscriptions
- Gym memberships, streaming services
Important exceptions:
- Medical care covered by RAMQ (no tax)
- Most government services
- Residential rent (apartments — but commercial rents are taxed)
- Tutoring and private primary/secondary schooling
Always check the receipt — services are where the tax shock is most felt.
What is the GST-QST credit and how do I get it?
It's a quarterly tax-free refund for low- and middle-income households.
- Federal GST credit: up to $533/year for an individual, $700+/year per family + $184/child
- Quebec QST credit (Solidarity Credit): similar amounts, paid monthly
You do not need to apply — both are calculated automatically from your annual tax return.
Income threshold: roughly under $60,000 for a family.
Even with zero income, FILE your return every year — that's what triggers the credit.
What happens when I buy online from outside Quebec?
If the seller is registered to collect QST (Amazon, most major US retailers since 2019), they collect QST at checkout.
If the seller is not registered (small US or international seller), QST should be self-declared by you. In practice, Revenu Québec does not pursue individuals for small purchases.
Customs may collect taxes + duties on packages over $20 coming from outside Canada (handled at delivery).
Tip: always check « shipping costs to Quebec » before ordering.
I'm self-employed. Do I need to register for GST/QST?
Mandatory once your gross revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive quarters.
Below that, registration is optional but often advantageous: you can claim ITCs (input tax credits) on business expenses, recovering the 14.975% paid on equipment, software, and professional services.
Registration is free, takes 15 minutes via the Revenu Québec online portal.
Once registered, you must charge GST/QST on every invoice and file quarterly/annual returns. Worth it for any serious business activity.
8. Official sources
For official information:
9. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Understanding your Quebec pay stub — the other tax-side of your salary, with source deductions.
- Filing taxes in Quebec: guide for newcomers — the annual return that may generate a GST credit and the Solidarity Credit.
- Open a bank account in Quebec — to manage tax-inclusive payments and automatic debits.
Author's note: First time → shock. Second time → habit. Golden rule: always add +15% in your head.
