In Sainte-Thérèse, the welcome tax is calculated on the tax base (the highest of the price paid, the consideration in the deed, or the standardized assessed value) according to a progressive scale. The first three brackets follow the provincial scale (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% up to $500,000), to which Sainte-Thérèse adds a municipal rate of 3.0% on the portion exceeding that threshold. On an income property of $2,000,000, the bill comes to approximately $50,610 — of which $45,000 is generated by the 3% bracket alone, versus roughly $28,110 if only the provincial ceiling of 1.5% applied. The bill is paid by the buyer after the transaction and may be settled in 1 or 4 installments (by-law 1355 of the City). Annual property taxes are in addition: for 2026, the average tax bill increase is 3.89%, against the backdrop of a new assessment roll 2026–2028 (+24% in total assessed value). This guide details the scale, the statutory exemptions, and the implications for seller and buyer. Figures are indicative (2026); confirm with the City of Sainte-Thérèse.
What is the welcome tax in Sainte-Thérèse?
The "welcome tax" is the popular name for the real property transfer duty (droit de mutation immobilière). It is a sum collected by every Quebec municipality — Sainte-Thérèse included — whenever a property on its territory changes hands. It is governed by the Act respecting duties on transfers of immovables and applies equally to a house and to an income property.
The essential point for transactions: it is the buyer who pays this duty, not the seller. The City of Sainte-Thérèse bills the new owner after registration of the deed in the land registry. For the general mechanism and the provincial thresholds, see our guide on the welcome tax and our article Welcome Tax 2026 in Quebec.
How is the welcome tax calculated in Sainte-Thérèse?
The calculation rests on two elements: the tax base and the bracket scale.
1. The tax base
The duty is calculated on the highest of: the price paid, the standardized value on the municipal assessment roll (roll value multiplied by the comparison factor), and the consideration stipulated in the deed. For an income property, it is often the sale price that prevails, since it frequently exceeds the assessed value.
2. The 2026 bracket scale
The first three brackets follow the provincial scale (indexed annually). Above $500,000, Sainte-Thérèse has adopted a supplemental municipal rate of 3.0% (tarification by-law; source: City of Sainte-Thérèse). The applicable 2026 scale:
| Bracket of the tax base (2026) | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $0 to $62,900 | 0.5% | Provincial scale |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | 1.0% | Provincial scale |
| $315,000 to $500,000 | 1.5% | Provincial scale |
| Over $500,000 | 3.0% | Municipal supplemental rate |
Source: base tiers set by the Act respecting duties on transfers of immovables (CQLR c D-15.1); 3% supplemental rate above $500,000 adopted by by-law of the City of Sainte-Thérèse.
The thresholds of $62,900 and $315,000 are indexed annually by the Quebec government and may vary slightly from year to year; the $500,000 municipal threshold is fixed. The 3% bracket above $500,000 is the decisive item for income properties: every dollar above $500,000 is taxed at twice the provincial ceiling (1.5%). Always confirm the current scale with the City before budgeting your transaction.
Check before signing
Since a multiplex almost always exceeds $500,000, the 3% rate applied to the excess changes everything. Confirm with the City of Sainte-Thérèse (finance department) the transfer duty by-law in force, and have your notary validate the final calculation.
How much is the welcome tax on a $2,000,000 property in Sainte-Thérèse?
Take an income property purchased for $2,000,000 in Sainte-Thérèse, assuming the price paid constitutes the tax base. Applying the 2026 Sainte-Thérèse scale, 3% municipal rate above $500,000 included:
- Bracket $0 → $62,900 at 0.5% = $314.50
- Bracket $62,900 → $315,000 ($252,100) at 1.0% = $2,521.00
- Bracket $315,000 → $500,000 ($185,000) at 1.5% = $2,775.00
- Bracket $500,000 → $2,000,000 ($1,500,000) at 3.0% = $45,000.00
- Total indicative: approximately $50,610
The 3% municipal rate above $500,000 accounts for $45,000 of the bill on its own. By comparison, without this municipal rate (provincial ceiling of 1.5%), the duty would be only about $28,110: the difference of more than $22,000 illustrates the full weight of the municipal scale on a high-value multiplex. These amounts are indicative (2026) and rounded; only the notary produces the official calculation.
What are the property taxes in Sainte-Thérèse?
Separate from the transfer duty (paid once at purchase), the property tax is annual. It corresponds to the municipal rate (expressed per $100 of assessed value) multiplied by the value on the roll, plus various service charges (water, waste, etc.).
For the 2026 budget, the City of Sainte-Thérèse announced an average tax bill increase of 3.89%. This budget coincides with the introduction of a new assessment roll 2026–2028, which brings the city's total assessed value from approximately $4.46 to $5.5 billion (+24% approximately). Note: an income property is assessed using an income approach, based on the rents generated and comparable sales. Assessment increases for rental buildings may therefore differ from those of single-family homes.
To understand how a building's value is built from its income, see our tools on the cap rate and the gross rent multiplier (GRM). The only authoritative figures are on your tax bill and the assessment roll of the City of Sainte-Thérèse.
Who can be exempt from the welcome tax in Sainte-Thérèse?
The Act provides several exemptions. The most common ones concern:
- Transfers between close relatives: between spouses, or in a direct line (parents/children, grandparents/grandchildren), under conditions.
- Certain reorganizations between a natural person and a corporation they control, or between closely related corporations.
- Transfers where the tax base is very low, where a minimal supplementary duty may apply instead.
These exemptions have strict conditions and declaration obligations; a poorly documented exemption can be revoked. Always have your eligibility validated by your notary before closing. For family property transfers, see our guide on real estate inheritance.
What is the impact of the welcome tax for the seller and buyer in Sainte-Thérèse?
For the buyer: the transfer duty is a real acquisition cost on top of the price, notary fees, and adjustments. On a $2,000,000 property, it can represent $28,000 to over $50,000 depending on the municipal by-law. Better to build this into the profitability analysis from the start — a line item not to forget in your purchase offer calculator.
For the seller: you do not pay the welcome tax, but it indirectly influences your transaction. A well-informed buyer factors this cost into the price they propose. Knowing this amount helps you better understand the pricing logic and negotiate more effectively. If you are considering selling, our dedicated page sell an income property in Sainte-Thérèse details the steps, timelines, and commission-free options.
In summary
In Sainte-Thérèse, the buyer of an income property pays the transfer duty according to a bracket scale; the portion above $500,000 is taxed at 3% (municipal supplemental rate). The bill may be settled in 1 or 4 installments (by-law 1355). Property taxes are annual and follow the assessment roll 2026–2028. All figures above are indicative (2026): validate them with the City of Sainte-Thérèse, the assessment roll, and your notary. This article is informational and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice.
