Questrade does not charge annual account fees for self-directed accounts. However, these accounts may be subject to a quarterly inactivity fee of $24.95 CAD.

It’s easy to keep your account active. Here are some of the ways in which you can do it:

• Place one trade in the quarter (January–March; April–June; July–September; October–December). If you have multiple self-directed accounts, place a trade in one of the accounts. You’re covered if you trade a stock, buy (commission-free) or sell an ETF, an option, or any other exchange-listed securities
• Maintain total equity across all your accounts of $5000 CAD or more—that includes both self-directed and Questwealth accounts
• Subscribe to a market data package
• Deposit $150 in the quarter. If you have multiple self-directed accounts, deposit $150 to one account or a total of $150 across all accounts

You only need 1 of these 4 requirements to keep your account active and avoid inactivity fees. For example, if the total equity in your accounts is over $5,000 CAD, you can keep your account active and not incur any inactivity charges.

And, good news if you're 25 or younger: you’re exempt from the inactivity fee.

Getting a rebate for an inactivity fee:

If you were charged an inactivity fee in the last quarter, you can have the fee rebated back to you by placing trades in the current quarter: your commissions from these trades will be rebated in cash for up to $24.95.

For example, if you didn't trade in the first quarter of the year (January–March) and were charged an inactivity fee, any commissions you pay for trades made in the second quarter (April–June) will be rebated—up to $24.95 to compensate you for the inactivity fee charged for not trading in the first quarter. And these trades keep your account active for the second quarter too.