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
Use the GST/QST tax calculator for a precise calculation.
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
- 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.
New since July 15, 2026: Quebec removed the QST from certain grocery and hygiene products:
- pastries, cookies and cakes sold in servings under 230 g or in packs of fewer than six;
- ice cream and frozen desserts in servings under 500 g or 500 ml;
- pudding, jelly and mousse in servings under 425 g;
- salted nuts and seeds, cereal or nut bars and mixes;
- prepared fruit or vegetable trays;
- toilet paper and tissues.
In stores those items now carry only the 5% GST — but at a restaurant, from a vending machine or through a caterer, the full 14.975% still applies).
| 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 | ✅ | ~14.975% |
| Internet, cell phones, subscriptions | ✅ | ~14.975% |
5. Reclaiming GST/QST as a business
For self-employed workers and businesses:
- Registration mandatory once your taxable sales exceed $30,000 in one quarter or over four consecutive quarters
- 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.
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 tax-free payment for low- and middle-income households. Since July 2026, the federal GST/HST credit has been renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) — same rules, higher amounts, paid quarterly.
- Federal CGEB: up to $679/year for a single person, $890/year for a couple, + $234/year per child under 19
- Quebec solidarity tax credit: the amount depends on your income and housing; it is paid once in July ($240 or less), quarterly ($241 to $799) or monthly ($800 or more)
Careful, it isn't quite automatic: for the solidarity credit, complete Schedule D of your Quebec return and register for direct deposit (Revenu Québec); in the year you arrive, apply for the CGEB with form RC151.
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.
A package coming from outside Canada may be taxed on delivery (taxes, and sometimes customs duties); the thresholds depend on the country of origin and how it is shipped.
Tip: always check « shipping costs to Quebec » before ordering.
I'm self-employed. Do I need to register for GST/QST?
Mandatory once your taxable sales (including zero-rated ones) exceed $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over the previous four quarters (Revenu Québec).
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. 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.
- GST/QST tax calculator — calculate the exact tax amount on a purchase.
- Self-Employed in Quebec: Registering, Invoicing and Paying Your Taxes — the full guide if you need to start charging GST/QST yourself.
9. Official sources
For official information:
Author's note: First time → shock. Second time → habit. Golden rule: always add +15% in your head.