Quebec maintains its own revenue agency, Revenu Québec. Therefore, Quebec residents face both federal and provincial tax obligations, plus distinct social programs like QPP and QPIP. Hence, understanding your take home pay in Quebec requires navigating a unique system of deductions that differs from the take home pay in Canada.
What is Take Home Pay in Quebec?
The payroll system in Quebec stands out from other provinces due to some key differences. First, the province operates the Quebec Pension Plan instead of the Canada Pension Plan. Moreover, Quebec runs its own parental insurance program to replace federal EI maternity benefits.
As a result, take-home pay in Quebec equals your gross salary minus federal taxes, provincial taxes, QPP contributions, EI premiums, and QPIP deductions.
Employers must handle both federal remittances to the CRA and provincial remittances to Revenu Québec. The QC tax abatement reduces federal tax by 16.5% to account for provincial programs.
How is Take Home Pay in Quebec Calculated?
Your net take home pay, also known as your net salary or after-tax income, is calculated by taking your total pre-tax income and subtracting all payroll deductions and income taxes.
The formula for calculating take home pay in Quebec is:
Take Home Pay in Quebec = Gross Pay – Federal Income Tax – Quebec Income Tax – CPP Contributions – EI Premiums – QPIP Premiums
Where:
- Gross Pay: Your total income before any deductions
- Federal Income Tax: Based on federal tax brackets
- Quebec Income Tax: Based on provincial tax brackets
- QPP: Quebec Pension Plan contributions
- EI: Employment Insurance premiums
- QPIP: Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums
For example, if your gross annual salary is $60,000, your estimated net take home pay in Quebec would be:
| Federal Income Tax | 15% on first $57,375 = $8,606.25 20.5% on remaining $2,625 = $538.13 Federal tax before abatement: $9,144.38 Less Quebec abatement (16.5%): -$1,508.82 Federal tax after abatement: $7,635.56 |
| Quebec Provincial Tax | 14% on first $53,255 = $7,455.70 19% on remaining $6,745 = $1,281.55 Quebec provincial tax: $8,737.25 |
| Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) | Base Plan: ($60,000 – $3,500) x 5.4% = $3,051 Additional Plan: ($60,000 – $3,500) x 1% = $565 Total QPP: $3,616 |
| Employment Insurance (EI) | $60,000 x 1.31% = $786 |
| Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) | $60,000 x 0.494% = $296.40 |
| Total deductions | $21,071.21 |
So, the estimated net take home pay in Quebec is $38,928.79, approximately 65% of the gross salary.
As this example shows, understanding how marginal tax rates and tax brackets work is important for accurately determining your net income in Quebec.
Should I Use a Quebec Salary Calculator?
Instead of calculating everything manually, you can use an online salary calculator tailored to Quebec taxes and deductions. These tools are easy to use and can give you a clear picture of your actual take-home pay. Here are 5 benefits:
- Estimate your net pay – You can input your gross salary and quickly estimate taxes and deductions to reveal your approximate net salary in Quebec.
- Test different periods – See your net pay calculated by year, month, bi-weekly, or hourly rates. This is useful for budgeting.
- Compare scenarios – Easily test different salaries or tax scenarios to make an informed career decision.
- Understand tax changes – Historical tax calculators let you see how tax rates and brackets have changed over time.
- Avoid errors – Automated calculation reduces the risk of errors in manually estimating net income in Quebec.
Using a reputable Quebec-specific tax calculator can provide accuracy and convenience when determining your net salary. Look for calculators that are updated annually with the latest tax rates.
What are the Federal and Provincial Tax Brackets in Quebec?
Both the federal and Quebec provincial governments levy income taxes based on marginal tax rates across different tax brackets. This means you pay a higher percentage on each additional dollar earned as your taxable income increases.
To be more specific, the marginal tax rate is the percentage you pay on your last dollar earned, not your entire income. Your total tax burden is calculated by adding the taxes owed across each bracket.
Here are the federal and Quebec tax brackets and rates:
Federal Tax Brackets and Rates 2025
| Taxable Income | Marginal Tax Rate |
| $0 to $57,375 | 15% |
| $57,375 to $114,750 | 20.5% |
| $114,750 to $177,882 | 26% |
| $177,882 to $253,414 | 29% |
| Over $253,414 | 33% |
Source: Payroll Deductions Tables – EI, and income tax deductions – Quebec – canada.ca
Quebec Tax Brackets and Rates for 2025
| Taxable Income 2025 | Marginal Tax Rate |
| $0 to $53,255 | 14% |
| $53,255 to $106,495 | 19% |
| $106,495 to $129,590 | 24% |
| Over $129,590 | 25.75% |
Source: Income tax rates – revenuquebec.ca
Here is a simple example to demonstrate how marginal tax rates are applied in Quebec:
- Say your taxable income is $65,000
- The first $53,255 is taxed at 14% = $7,455.70
- The amount from $53,255 to $65,000 is taxed at 19% = $2,231.55
- Your total Quebec income tax would be $9,687.25
Even though you are in the 19% tax bracket, you don’t pay 19% tax on your entire $65,000 income. The marginal tax rates mean you pay less than if you just applied the top bracket tax rate to your total income.
Always calculate your taxes based on the marginal tax bracket rates to determine your actual tax burden and net income.
What are the Different Types of Taxable Income in Quebec?
Nearly all types of income are considered taxable by both the Canada Revenue Agency and the Quebec Revenue Agency. Here are 7 common categories:
- Employment income – Your regular salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and tips from employment.
- Business/self-employment income – Revenue minus expenses from operating your own unincorporated business or being self-employed.
- Investment income – Interest, dividends, capital gains from investments.
- Rental income – Profit earned from rental properties.
- Taxable benefits – Non-cash benefits provided by your employer, such as stock options, company car, etc.
- Pensions and RRIFs – Amounts withdrawn from company pensions or registered retirement income funds.
- Other income – Scholarships, bursaries, royalties, spousal/child support payments.
Nearly all income you receive throughout the year counts towards your total taxable income. Make sure to report all your income sources when filing your taxes.
What Payroll Deductions Affect Net Income in Quebec?
Beyond income tax, your net pay is impacted by various payroll deductions and contributions. Here are 7 deductions that will be taken from your gross pay:
- Income tax – Both federal and Quebec provincial income taxes reduce your net pay.
- Quebec Pension Plan – The contributions take 6.4% of pensionable earnings in 2025, split equally between employee and employer. The annual maximum employee contribution reaches $3,661.20.
- EI premiums – You pay Employment Insurance premiums of 1.31% for 2025, lower than in other provinces due to QPIP. The maximum annual premiums are capped at $860.67. This provides financial aid in case you lose your job. (Source)
- QPIP premiums – The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan takes a premium of 0.494% of your salary to fund maternity/paternity benefits.
- Union dues – Some workplaces require mandatory contributions to unions or professional associations.
- RRSP contributions – You can elect to put a percentage of your gross pay into a registered retirement savings account.
- Garnishments – Wage garnishments mandated by court order will be deducted from your pay.
Always account for these deductions when estimating your net take home pay in Quebec.
What is Considered a Good Salary in Quebec?
What is considered a good salary can be subjective based on your individual circumstances. However, Statistics Canada provides data on average wages that can provide helpful context.
According to the latest data, the average annual salary in Quebec was $49,473.
Those earning significantly above the average could be considered to have a “good” salary. However, you must factor in housing, food, and lifestyle costs to determine an appropriate income.
Quebec’s major metropolitan areas tend to have higher wages. For example, the average annual salary in Montreal was $57,246 compared to just $45,903 in the Saguenay region. Your career field also impacts your average earning potential.
How Does Quebec’s Income Tax Compare to Other Provinces?
Quebec has one of the highest overall income tax burdens compared to other Canadian provinces. Here is a high-level comparison of top marginal tax rates across select provinces:
| Province | Top Marginal Tax Rate | Highest Bracket |
| Quebec | 25.75% | $129,590+ |
| Ontario | 13.16% | $362,961+ |
| Alberta | 15% | $362,961+ |
| British Columbia | 20.5% | $259,829+ |
| Manitoba | 17.4% | $101,200+ |
Quebec’s top provincial tax bracket reaches the highest marginal rate at a lower income level than other major provinces. Overall, income taxes in Quebec take a larger percentage of your salary compared to provinces like Alberta and Ontario.
However, other factors like sales taxes, cost of living, and social services must be considered when comparing the total tax burden.
Learn how to estimate your potential net take home pay in different Canadian provinces based on your gross salary, tax brackets, and deductions.
- Take Home Pay in Alberta
- Take Home Pay in British Columbia
- Take Home Pay in Ontario
- Take Home Pay in Manitoba
- Take Home Pay in New Brunswick
The bottom line
Take home pay in Quebec involves two tax systems, which include deductions for federal tax, provincial tax, QPP, EI, and QPIP. Understanding them carefully helps employers and employees to negotiate fair compensation packages.
For various salary scenarios, employees can also use online tools, such as PDOC, to quickly estimate their net pay and ensure good decisions every step of the way.
By knowing how much you’ll actually take home, you can plan your budget better and explore ways to maximize deductions and reduce your overall tax burden.
FAQs related to Take Home Pay in Quebec
Why is tax higher in Quebec than other provinces?
Quebec has a higher overall tax burden compared to provinces like Alberta and Ontario, with top marginal rates reaching 25.75% at a lower income level. This funds social programs in Quebec.
When are taxes due in Quebec?
The tax filing deadline in Quebec is April 30 for personal tax returns and any taxes owing. June 15th if self-employed.
Do I have to file separate Quebec and federal tax returns?
Yes, Quebec and federal personal income tax returns must be filed separately each year by the filing deadlines.
Can I claim tax credits and deductions in Quebec?
Yes, Quebec and federal tax credits/deductions like RRSP contributions, medical expenses, and tuition can help reduce your taxes owing.
Is rental income taxable in Quebec?
Yes, rental income from investment properties in Quebec is considered taxable income on both provincial and federal tax returns.
How much tax is deducted from each paycheck in Quebec?
It depends on your income, but approximately 20-25% is deducted off each paycheck for income tax, CPP, EI and QPIP.
