Montreal tax FAQs
Montreal tax questions we hear every year
Tax rules change. Life changes faster. This page gathers common questions from people in Montreal and Laval about personal, self employed, corporate, and expat tax situations.
You get general information here. For specific advice, it is always better to talk about your own numbers and your own timeline with a tax professional.
Deadlines and documents
Personal and self employed tax
Corporate tax
Canadian expats and non residents
How we work at MontrealTax.com
General and deadlines
General Montreal tax questions and deadlines
These are the questions almost everyone asks at some point. If you start here, you avoid simple mistakes.
Q What are the main personal tax deadlines in Montreal and Quebec
For most individuals, the deadline to file your personal tax returns is April 30.
If you or your spouse or partner are self employed, the filing deadline is June 15, but any balance owing is still due April 30.
These dates apply to both CRA and Revenu Québec.
Q What happens if I file my tax return late
If you owe tax and file after the deadline, CRA and Revenu Québec can charge a late filing penalty and daily interest on the unpaid balance.
If you expect a refund and file late, there is usually no penalty, but you wait longer for your money and risk losing some benefits if you delay for several years.
Q Do I really need to file in both federal and Quebec systems
Yes. If you live in Quebec on December 31, you normally file a federal return with CRA and a Quebec return with Revenu Québec.
Each has its own forms, credits, and assessments, so your slips and information must line up in both places.
Q How long should I keep my tax documents and receipts
CRA and Revenu Québec usually expect you to keep tax records for at least six years after the end of the tax year.
That includes slips, receipts, bank statements, and any support for credits or deductions you claimed.
Personal tax
Personal tax questions for Montreal and Laval residents
This section covers employees, families, students, and retirees. If your income is mostly T4 and RL 1, start here.
Q What documents should I bring for a personal tax appointment
At minimum, bring your T4 and RL 1 employment slips, any pension or benefit slips, RRSP contribution receipts, and a list of your dependants.
If you have childcare, tuition, medical, or donation receipts, bring those as well.
When you work with us, we send a short checklist before your appointment.
Q Can you help me if this is my first time filing in Canada or Quebec
Yes. Many clients are new to Canada or new to Quebec.
We explain basic concepts in clear language and show how your first return connects to future benefits and credits.
You can see how this works on our personal tax services page.
Q Can you review past personal returns to see if I missed anything
We can review your past notices of assessment and prior returns to look for obvious missed deductions or credits.
If we find something material, we can discuss adjustments and how to request changes with CRA and Revenu Québec.
Canadian expats and non residents
Questions from Canadians abroad with ties to Montreal
Residency rules confuse many people. These answers give a first idea of what to watch, then the real work happens in a one to one discussion.
Q If I move abroad, do I still need to file Canadian tax returns
It depends on your residency status and what you keep in Canada.
If you keep significant ties or certain types of income, you may still have Canadian filing obligations.
We cover these cases on our expat and non resident tax services page.
Q I left Montreal and now rent out my condo. How is that taxed
If you are a non resident, rental income from a Montreal or Laval property can be subject to withholding tax and special non resident filings.
The exact treatment depends on your status and elections.
This is an area where a short consultation can save a lot of stress later.
Q Can you help if I never filed a proper departure return
Yes. We can review your history, see what was filed, and then outline a clean up plan.
That might include filing a departure return for the past or adjusting existing returns so they reflect your move.
Self employed and professionals
Questions from self employed and professionals
If you invoice clients instead of receiving a simple T4, these questions will sound familiar.
Q When do I need to register for GST and QST as self employed
A common threshold is thirty thousand dollars of taxable revenue over four consecutive quarters.
If you cross that line or expect to, registration becomes part of the conversation.
We look at your actual numbers and help you decide when to register and how often to file.
Q What counts as a deductible expense for my freelance or consulting work
In general, expenses must be reasonable and connected to earning business income.
That can include part of your home, phone, internet, software, travel, and other costs that support your work.
We go through your actual spending and separate personal from business items.
Q Should I stay self employed or create a corporation
There is no single rule for everyone.
The choice depends on your income level, stability of work, family situation, and how you use the money you earn.
On our professional tax services page you can see the kind of questions we ask before giving an opinion.
Corporate tax
Questions from incorporated business owners
These questions come from owners who sign the cheques and want a clear picture of profit, tax, and cash.
Q What is the typical year end process for a small corporation
You close your books for the year.
We review and adjust the numbers, prepare T2 and Quebec corporate returns, and discuss owner compensation before filing.
You can see the full flow on our corporate tax services page.
Q How do salary and dividends affect my personal tax
Salary creates T4 income and RRSP room and affects CPP or QPP.
Dividends are taxed differently and do not create RRSP room.
A good plan looks at both sides, corporate and personal, not only the current year.
Q Can you help if my bookkeeping is behind for the year
Yes. Many owners come to us after a period of growth with records that are not up to date.
We can help you catch up the essentials so your corporate return is filed on time or with a clear plan if it is late.
Working with us
Questions about working with MontrealTax.com
These answers explain how we work with clients, in person or remote, and what you can expect in a typical engagement.
Q Do you offer remote tax services or only in person meetings
We work both ways.
Many Montreal and Laval clients prefer online meetings and secure document upload.
Others prefer in person visits.
You can choose the mix that works best for you.
Q Do you provide services in English and French
Yes.
We work with clients in English and French and can adapt the conversation to your comfort level.
Notices from CRA and Revenu Québec can also arrive in either language, so it helps to be flexible.
Q How do you price tax services at MontrealTax.com
Pricing depends on the type of file, the number of returns, and how complex your situation is.
Straightforward personal returns cost less than multi year corporate or expat clean up projects.
We explain fees before we start and confirm your approval first.
Q How do I get started if I want help with my taxes
The first step is simple.
Tell us if you need personal, self employed, corporate, or expat help and where you live now.
You can reach us through the contact page and we will send clear next steps and a short list of documents to prepare.
Still have questions about your tax situation
A short call can often clarify more than an hour of searching. Tell us where you live, how you earn income, and what concerns you most. We will point you to the right service and next steps.
Helpful details to include when you contact us:
- If you need personal, self employed, corporate, or expat help.
- Where you live now and if you moved recently.
- If you received any recent letters from CRA or Revenu Québec.