Question 1

How much does the IQEE pay per child?

Accepted Answer

The basic IQEE (Incitatif québécois à l'épargne-études) is a 10% refundable Quebec tax credit on RESP contributions, paid directly into the RESP by Revenu Québec. The maximum basic IQEE is $250 per year per beneficiary, achieved by contributing $2,500 annually. Lifetime maximum is $3,600 per child.

Question 2

What is the IQEE lifetime maximum?

Accepted Answer

The IQEE lifetime cap is $3,600 per beneficiary. At the maximum $250/year of basic IQEE, this cap is reached after roughly 14–15 years of full $2,500 contributions. The cap is per beneficiary across all RESPs, not per RESP, so opening multiple Quebec RESPs for the same child does not increase the lifetime credit.

Question 3

Do I need to apply for the IQEE separately?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no separate application. When you open an RESP at a Quebec financial institution (Desjardins, RBC, BMO, TD, National Bank, and others all participate), the institution automatically reports your contributions to Revenu Québec each year. The IQEE is calculated based on your tax return and deposited directly into the RESP, typically within 6 to 12 months of the contribution.

Question 4

What is the difference between IQEE and CESG?

Accepted Answer

The CESG (Subvention canadienne pour l'épargne-études) is a 20% federal grant managed by ESDC, with a $7,200 lifetime cap. The IQEE is a 10% Quebec refundable tax credit managed by Revenu Québec, with a $3,600 lifetime cap. The two stack on top of each other for Quebec residents, so a $2,500 annual contribution earns $500 CESG plus $250 IQEE — a combined 30% match (or up to 40% for lower-income families with the Additional CESG).

Question 5

Is there an additional IQEE for lower-income Quebec families?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Quebec families with adjusted family income under approximately $58,523 (2026 figure, indexed annually) receive an extra 10% IQEE on the first $500 contributed each year — an additional $50/year. Families between $58,523 and $117,045 receive an additional 5% — $25/year. These figures track the federal Additional CESG thresholds, but the exact thresholds are confirmed annually by Revenu Québec.

Question 6

Do I have to live in Quebec to receive the IQEE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The IQEE is paid only if the beneficiary (the child) lives in Quebec on December 31 of the tax year. If your family moves to another province, IQEE deposits stop, but any IQEE already received stays in the RESP. If a beneficiary later moves to Quebec, IQEE eligibility resumes for contributions made while they are a Quebec resident.

Question 7

What if I withdraw before the child uses the IQEE for school?

Accepted Answer

If the RESP is used for qualifying post-secondary education, the IQEE flows out as part of the Educational Assistance Payment (EAP), taxable in the student's hands at their (usually low) marginal rate. If the child does not pursue post-secondary education and the RESP is collapsed, all IQEE - like the CESG - must be returned to Revenu Québec. Only your own contributions come back tax-free.

Question 8

Does IQEE count toward the $7,200 federal CESG lifetime cap?

Accepted Answer

No. IQEE has its own separate $3,600 lifetime cap administered by Revenu Québec. The $7,200 federal CESG cap is unrelated. A Quebec family can collect up to $7,200 in CESG plus $3,600 in IQEE - $10,800 of total grants per beneficiary. Note however that A-CESG (the federal Additional CESG) IS counted within the $7,200, even though it pays at a higher rate for lower-income families.

Question 9

I started the RESP late - can I catch up on missed IQEE years?

Accepted Answer

IQEE follows the same year-by-year contribution rule as CESG: each year of contribution earns up to $250 of basic IQEE (10% on the first $2,500). Unlike CESG, IQEE does NOT offer formal carry-forward of unused room - if you missed a year, you cannot retroactively claim that year's $250. However, you can still benefit because Quebec's rules let you contribute more than $2,500 in a future year and earn IQEE on whatever portion of CESG you trigger via the federal catch-up provision (up to $500 of IQEE in a catch-up year on $5,000 of contributions). Always confirm exact IQEE catch-up treatment with your RESP issuer, since the rules are administered case-by-case.

IQEE Calculator (Quebec RESP)

Quebec: IQÉÉ adds 10% on top of the federal CESG

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