Regimes: 5
Congé fiscal pour chercheurs, experts, spécialistes et professeurs étrangers (Québec)
Only for existing participantsFor people relocating
Quebec tax exemption on salary: 100% in years 1–2, 75% in year 3, 50% in year 4, 25% in year 5
Details
- Who
- Foreign individuals not resident in Canada before hiring: researchers (incl. post-doctoral), experts, specialists (financial centres, biotech, innovation), Quebec university professors — Quebec provincial tax only.
- How it works
- Exemption from Quebec provincial income tax for 5 consecutive years: 100% of salary in years 1–2, 75% in year 3, 50% in year 4, 25% in year 5. Abolished for researchers, experts and specialists: no certificate applications accepted after 25 March 2025 (grandfathered only). Federal tax is not reduced; there is no federal newcomer regime.
- Duration
- 5 consecutive years
- How to opt in
- For researchers, experts and specialists, no new certificates are issued after 25 March 2025; those who already hold one claim the deduction in their Quebec return.
- Limits and risks
- Reduces only Quebec provincial tax; federal tax is paid in full.
- Legal basis
- Taxation Act (Québec), deduction for foreign employees (line 297); Revenu Québec, Foreign Employees Entitled to a Five-Year Tax Exemption
- Checked
- November 4, 2026
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
OpenFor investors
No tax on investment income or withdrawals; contribute up to CAD 7,000 in 2026 plus unused room
Details
- Who
- Canadian residents aged 18 or over
- How it works
- Investment income in a TFSA and withdrawals are tax-free. The 2026 contribution limit is CAD 7,000; unused room from previous years carries forward.
- How to opt in
- Open a TFSA at a bank, credit union or broker; check your room in My Account.
- Limits and risks
- Non-residents earn no new room, and contributions made while non-resident are taxed at 1% per month; TFSA income may be taxed in your new country; over-contributions are penalised.
- Legal basis
- Income Tax Act, s. 146.2, 207.01; CRA, Calculate your TFSA contribution room (TFSA dollar limit 2026: CAD 7,000)
- Checked
- November 4, 2026
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
OpenFor pensioners
Deduction of contributions up to 18% of the previous year's earned income (up to the RRSP dollar limit)
Details
- Who
- People with Canadian earned income; contributions until the end of the year they turn 71
- How it works
- Contributions are deductible up to 18% of the previous year's earned income, capped at the annual RRSP dollar limit; unused room carries forward. Income inside the plan is not taxed; withdrawals are taxed when received.
- How to opt in
- Contribute to a plan with a bank or insurer during the year or within 60 days after it; claim the deduction in your return.
- Limits and risks
- Withdrawals are taxed as income; after you leave, Canadian non-resident tax is withheld from payments; the plan is excluded from departure tax.
- Legal basis
- Income Tax Act, s. 146
- Checked
- November 4, 2026
Pension income splitting
OpenFor pensioners
Up to 50% of pension income taxed in the partner's hands
Details
- Who
- Spouses or common-law partners, both resident in Canada on 31 December, one of whom receives eligible pension income
- How it works
- Up to 50% of eligible pension income can be taxed in the hands of the lower-income partner to reduce the couple's total tax. From age 65 most pension income qualifies (including RRIF and RRSP annuity payments); before 65 mainly life annuities from a pension plan.
- How to opt in
- A joint election in the prescribed form filed with both partners' returns; one election per year.
- Limits and risks
- Both must be resident in Canada at year-end; the share is prorated to months of marriage or partnership; not available if either partner is already non-resident.
- Legal basis
- Income Tax Act, s. 60.03; s. 118(7) (eligible pension income)
- Checked
- November 4, 2026
Lifetime capital gains exemption
OpenFor the self-employed
Up to CAD 1,250,000 of capital gains tax-free over a lifetime
Details
- Who
- Individuals resident in Canada throughout the year who sell qualified small business corporation (QSBC) shares or qualified farm or fishing property
- How it works
- Capital gains on such shares or property are exempt up to CAD 1,250,000 over a lifetime (in the Act: CAD 625,000 of taxable capital gains). The company must pass tests such as more than 50% of assets used in an active business in Canada during the 24 months before the sale.
- How to opt in
- Claim the deduction in the return for the year of sale.
- Limits and risks
- You are also treated as resident throughout the year if you were resident for part of it and throughout the previous or following year — so it is usually available in the year you leave, but not afterwards. Strict tests on the company and holding period; knowingly failing to report the gain forfeits the exemption.
- Legal basis
- Income Tax Act, s. 110.6 (CAD 625,000 of taxable capital gains)
- Checked
- November 4, 2026
DoubleTaxation