Thomas Lymburner
Gatineau welcome tax in 2026: rates, calculation and examples
Updated: · By Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker, RE/MAX Direct
In Gatineau, the welcome tax (officially, the real estate transfer duties) is calculated in brackets: 0.5% up to $62,900, 1% from $62,900 to $315,000, 1.5% from $315,000 to $500,000 and 3% on the portion above $500,000, under the rates in effect since February 25, 2026. For a $500,000 house, it comes to $5,610.50.
Gatineau's 2026 rates
| Taxable base bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $62,900 | 0.5% |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | 1% |
| $315,000 to $500,000 | 1.5% |
| Over $500,000 | 3% |
From January 1 to February 24, 2026, the upper brackets were different: 1.5% from $315,000 to $750,000, 2.5% from $750,000 to $1,000,000 and 3% above $1,000,000.
Source: Ville de Gatineau, transfer duties taxable base and rates.
What amount is the tax based on?
The taxable base is the highest of three amounts: the price paid (excluding GST and QST), the amount stated in the deed of sale, or the municipal assessment multiplied by the year's comparative factor (1.02 in 2026 in Gatineau). If a property's municipal assessment is high compared to the price paid, the assessment can become the base.
2026 calculation examples
| Price (taxable base) | Gatineau welcome tax | Max. first-time buyer refund* | Net cost for a first-time buyer* |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,110.50 | $4,110.50 | $0 |
| $500,000 | $5,610.50 | about $5,153 | about $458 |
| $650,000 | $10,110.50 | $5,875 | $4,235.50 |
Calculation for $500,000: $62,900 × 0.5% = $314.50; $252,100 × 1% = $2,521; $185,000 × 1.5% = $2,775; total $5,610.50. *If the buyer qualifies for the home ownership access tax credit (see below) and the municipal assessment doesn't exceed $750,000.
New in 2026: Quebec's home ownership access tax credit
Since 2026, Quebec reimburses part of the welcome tax to first-time buyers through a refundable tax credit: 100% of the first $5,000 of transfer duties, plus 25% of the excess, up to a maximum of $5,875. To qualify, you must buy a principal residence after December 31, 2025 and not have owned a home in the four preceding years. The credit is reduced when the municipal assessment exceeds $750,000 and drops to zero at $1,000,000. You claim it in your income tax return, or through advance payments during the year.
Complete first-time buyer guide
Source: Revenu Québec.
Gatineau or Ottawa: how it compares with Ontario's land transfer tax
If you're torn between Ottawa and Gatineau, here's the transfer tax owed on each side of the river for the same price. In Ontario, the provincial land transfer tax is 0.5% up to $55,000, 1% up to $250,000, 1.5% up to $400,000, 2% up to $2,000,000 and 2.5% above; first-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000.
| Price | Gatineau (welcome tax) | Ottawa (Ontario land transfer tax) |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,110.50 | $4,475 |
| $500,000 | $5,610.50 | $6,475 |
| $650,000 | $10,110.50 | $9,475 |
Sources: Ville de Gatineau; Government of Ontario.
Welcome tax FAQ
$5,610.50 in 2026, if the taxable base is $500,000: $314.50 on the first bracket, $2,521 on the second and $2,775 on the third.
They pay it to the municipality, but since 2026 they can get back up to $5,875 through Revenu Québec's refundable home ownership access tax credit, if they haven't owned a home in the last four years.
On the higher of the two (more precisely, the highest of the price paid, the amount in the deed and the municipal assessment multiplied by the comparative factor, 1.02 in 2026 in Gatineau).
Not always. For a $500,000 property, it's $5,610.50 in Gatineau versus $6,475 in Ontario land transfer tax in Ottawa. Above $500,000, Gatineau's 3% rate makes it higher: at $650,000, it's $10,110.50 in Gatineau versus $9,475 in Ottawa.