Did you know? The phrase «welcome tax» has a history which came about for reasons other than a «greeting» tax for new residents. Back in 1976, a new method of municipal financing was proposed by a judge named Jean Bienvenue and, when adopted, became known as «la taxe de Bienvenue». Because «bienvenue» translates to «welcome» in English, the tax became known as the «welcome tax».

The property transfer duty is calculated on the higher of the following values:

1.    «consideration» (sale price)
2.    «market value»
3.    «valuation roll»

Where «market value» is represented by the value of the property found on the current evaluation roll multiplied by a comparative factor designed to reflect the up-to date market and/or replacement value. This comparative factor was:

>    1.37 for 2006;
>    1.00 for 2007 (deposit of a new roll);
>    1.06 for 2008;
>    1.11 for 2009;
>    1.19 for 2010;
>    1.00 for 2011.

The calculation of the transfer duty is as follows:

> ½ of 1% on the first $50,000 of the property value (maximum of $250);
> 1% of the next $200,000 of the property value (maximum of $2 000);
> 1 ½ % on the property value over $250,000.

Property transfer duties are payable in a single instalment due 30 days after the invoice date.
For any exoneration of duties as stipulated in the deed of sale, the Town reserves the right to request supporting documents.