Question 1

Is general contractor labor taxable in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

In Quebec, labor performed by general contractors is generally subject to GST + QST under Revenu Québec — QST for Businesses (IN-203). You must calculate the statutory 14.975% tax on both materials and service labor unless an explicit capital improvement exemption applies.

Question 2

What GST + QST rate should a general contractor charge on parts and materials in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

The statutory base combined GST + QST rate in Quebec is 14.975%. When billing clients for materials, sub-tier trade scopes, equipment rentals, and rough framing, apply 14.975% to the materials subtotal. DoxMitra automatically separates taxable materials from tax-exempt labor to ensure you never over-collect or under-collect taxes.

Question 3

What mandatory fields must be on a general contractor invoice in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

To be fully audit-compliant with the Revenu Québec, your invoice must include: (1) Licensed contractor business name, physical address, and contact details; (2) State license number (Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)) or tax ID; (3) Client name and job location; (4) Itemized breakdown separating physical parts from labor; (5) Calculated Quebec GST + QST; (6) Sequential document number; and (7) Payment terms or receipt confirmation.

Question 4

How long must a general contractor keep invoices and receipts in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

The Revenu Québec requires contractors to retain all customer invoices, supplier invoices, proof of tax payments, and exemption certificates for at least 6 years from the filing date. DoxMitra allows you to export high-resolution vector PDFs to store securely in your digital archives.

Question 5

What is the legal difference between a general contractor estimate, invoice, and receipt in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

An **Estimate** is a non-binding quotation or scope proposal outlining anticipated labor and materials for master building permits, zoning approvals, and certificate of occupancy. An **Invoice** is a formal, legally enforceable request for payment once milestones are reached or work is completed. A **Receipt** is proof of payment showing a zero balance due. DoxMitra lets you switch between all three with a single click while preserving line items.

Question 6

How do I handle tax-exempt clients or commercial subcontracts in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

If you are subcontracting for a general contractor or working for a tax-exempt entity (schools, government, nonprofits) in Quebec, obtain a signed copy of VD-419.1 (QST Exemption). In DoxMitra, you can set the tax rate to 0.00% and record the exemption certificate number in the notes section to maintain a clean audit trail.

Question 7

Can a general contractor collect a deposit or progress payments in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standard trade practices allow collecting a deposit (typically 10% to 33% depending on state statutory home improvement caps) for ordering specialized materials like materials, sub-tier trade scopes, equipment rentals, and rough framing. Use DoxMitra to specify payment terms such as "50% Down Payment, Balance Due on Final Inspection" in the Payment Terms field.

Question 8

Is a PDF invoice generated by DoxMitra legally valid in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Documents created with DoxMitra comply with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) and state electronic signature standards. They are legally valid for customer billing, insurance claim payouts, small claims court documentation, and Revenu Québec tax audits.

Free General Contractor Invoice Template Quebec — Auto-Calculates GST + QST

Questions? We've got answers.

General Contractor Invoice & Tax Compliance Guide in Quebec

Quebec General Contractor Invoice Requirements

What to Include on a General Contractor Invoice in Quebec

Tax Treatment for General Contractor Services in Quebec

📋 What Every Quebec Invoice Must Include

Related Quebec Contractor Templates