🧾 Quebec Tip & Tax Calculator
Adds GST (5%) + QST (9.975%) on the pre-tax amount, calculates tip on the pre-tax amount (the standard in Quebec), and splits the bill.
Bill breakdown
How tipping and tax actually work in Quebec restaurants
Quick answer: In Quebec restaurants you pay GST 5% + QST 9.975% on top of the pre-tax bill, then add a tip of 15–20%. Locals tip on the pre-tax amount, but the payment terminal will default to the post-tax total — meaning you tip 15% more than you may realize. Always check.
The Quebec tax stack — what’s actually added
| Item | Rate | Applied to |
|---|---|---|
| GST (TPS) | 5% | Pre-tax amount |
| QST (TVQ) | 9.975% | Pre-tax amount (not on GST) |
| Combined sales tax | 14.975% | Effective rate |
| Tip (suggested) | 15–20% | Pre-tax amount (Quebec norm) |
Quick mental shortcut Montrealers use
To estimate a 15% tip: double the GST and you’re at roughly 10%, then add half again for 15%. Example: a $50 bill has $2.50 GST → tip is $5.00 (10%) → $7.50 (15%). Quick and close enough for the table.
When you can leave less than 15%
Tipping in Quebec is customary but not mandatory. You can:
- Tip 10% for fast-counter service (kebab shops, casse-croûtes, take-out).
- Tip 0% or low for bad service — but adjust on the receipt directly so the terminal doesn’t auto-apply 18%.
- Tip $0 on a coffee — Quebec terminals often suggest 18% on a $4 latte. It’s not expected.
The “tip on tax” debate
Many Quebec payment terminals default to calculating tip on the post-tax amount, which inflates the tip by ~15%. Servers don’t always know this. To tip the traditional Quebec way, manually enter the dollar tip or do the math on pre-tax. The calculator above does it for you.
Quebec Tax & Tip FAQ
What’s the total sales tax rate in Quebec?
The combined Quebec sales tax is 14.975% — that’s 5% GST (federal) + 9.975% QST (provincial). The two are calculated separately, both on the pre-tax amount, then added.
Is QST charged on top of GST?
No, not anymore. Since 2013, QST is calculated on the pre-GST amount, not on the total including GST. This makes the math simpler: 5% + 9.975% = 14.975% applied directly to the pre-tax subtotal.
How much should I tip in Montreal?
Standard tipping in Montreal restaurants is 15% of the pre-tax bill for normal table service, 18% for very good service, and 20% for excellent service. For counter/take-out: 0–10% is fine. Tip is included only in groups of 8+, when it appears as “service” on the bill.
Do I have to tip in Quebec?
Tipping is customary, not legally required. Servers in Quebec are paid a “tipped employee” minimum wage ($13.30/hour as of 2026) lower than the standard minimum wage ($16.10/hour), so tips are a significant part of their income. Not tipping for normal service is considered impolite.
Are tips taxed in Quebec?
Yes, all tips received by employees are taxable income in Quebec. Restaurant employers automatically report a portion of tips based on sales. The system is called “déclaration des pourboires.”
Why does the payment terminal calculate tip on the post-tax amount?
Most Canadian payment terminals default to calculating tip on the post-tax total because it’s simpler programming and slightly favours servers. You can change it: most terminals let you enter a custom percentage or a flat dollar amount instead of selecting a preset.
Is alcohol taxed differently in Quebec?
Alcohol carries the same GST + QST (14.975%) as food at restaurants. SAQ liquor store prices include tax. Bars often print tax-inclusive prices on the menu — check before assuming.
Related Montreal tools
Sources: Revenu Québec QST rates, Canada Revenue Agency GST rates, CCQ wage rates. Last updated May 2026.