[BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE IN CANADA - QUÉBEC]
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adjusted cost base, etc.) by or before December 23, 2020. Nominee agreements signed before May 17, 2019, but not having income tax consequences on or after that date need not be disclosed. The information to be disclosed includes the date and a copy (if in writing) of the nominee agreement or other document evidencing same, the identity of the parties, a full description of the transaction (or the series of transactions) covered by the nominee arrangement and the identity of any person or entity for which there are resulting tax consequences. Disclosure by one party to the nominee agreement is deemed to be disclosure by all parties. Failure to disclose a nominee arrangement can result in an initial penalty of $1,000 plus an additional daily penalty of $100 (up to a maximum total penalty of $5,000). As well, Revenu Québec can suspend the taxpayer’s tax assessment period, such that prescription (limitation period) does not begin to run on any tax claims for that period. VII. CLOSING COSTS / ADJUSTMENTS Mutation (“welcome”) tax The buyer must pay the mutation or transfer tax (colloquially referred to as the “welcome tax”) to the Québec Minister of Revenue under the Mutation Tax Act (Québec) within 31 days of issuance of the first tax bill, subject to certain exceptions for transfers between related parties ( e.g., two spouses, a parent and child, or a corporation and its shareholder, provided the shareholder holds at least 90% of the shares and the buyer does not re- sell or “flip” the property within 24 months of the initial exempt sale). Mutation tax rates are calculated on the higher of the purchase price and municipal evaluation of the property (both of which are identified in the deed, as is the amount payable, even where
an exemption applies). The 2022 rates are as follows: (i) 0.5% of the first portion of the taxable amount up to $52,800; plus (ii) 1% of the portion of the taxable amount between $52,800 and $264,000; plus (iii) 1.5% of the portion of the taxable amount between $264,000 and $500,000; plus (iv) 2% of the taxable amount between $500,000 and $1,000,000; plus (v) 2.5% of the taxable amount in excess of $1,000,000. Québec municipalities are entitled to impose a surcharge of up to 3% for properties having a purchase price or municipal evaluation over $500,000. This is the case in many cities including Montreal, its suburbs, and surrounding areas. For example, Montreal charges (i) 0.5% on the portion of the purchase price up to $53,200; plus (ii) 1.0% of the portion of the purchase price between $53,200 to $266,200; plus (iii) 1.5% of the portion of the purchase price between $266,200 and $532,300, plus (iv) 2.0% on the portion of the purchase price between $532,300 and $1,064,600; plus (v) 2.5% on the portion of the purchase price between $1,064,600 and $2,059,000; plus (vi) 3.5% of the portion of the purchase price between $2,059,000 and $3,000,000; plus (vii) 4% on the portion of the purchase price in excess of $3,000,000. Even where an exemption applies, the city has the right to charge a supplemental tax as follows: none if the taxable value is less than $5000, 0.5% of the taxable value between $5000 and $40,000, plus a fixed amount of $200 if the taxable value exceeds $40,000. Non-residents As of January 1, 2023, non-Canadian residents will be barred from directly or indirectly purchasing a Canadian residential property for a period of 2 years. These properties will include (i) a detached house or similar building containing up to 3 dwelling units; (ii) a part of a building that is a semi-detached house, row
ILN Real Estate Group – Buying and Selling Real Estate Series
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