Land transfer tax is one of those closing costs that catches buyers off guard—especially in Ontario and BC, where it can add $10,000–$30,000 or more to your purchase. Alberta buyers, meanwhile, pay almost nothing. Here's what you'll owe in every province. Land Transfer Tax by Province (2026) First-Time Rebate Ontario 0.5–2.5% tiered $6,475 $12,475 Up to $4,000 Toronto Additional 0.5–2.5% +$6,475 +$12,475 Up to $4,475 British Columbia 1–5% tiered $8,000 $14,000 Full up to $500K Alberta Flat fee (~$350) ~$350 ~$350 N/A Quebec 0.5–1.5% "welcome tax" $5,500 $9,250 Montreal: partial Manitoba 0.5–2% tiered $5,500 $10,500 None Saskatchewan 0.3% $1,500 $2,400 None Nova Scotia 1.5% deed transfer $7,500 $12,000 Halifax: rebate New Brunswick 1% $5,000 $8,000 None Newfoundland 0.4% + registration $2,000 $3,200 None PEI 1% $5,000 $8,000 None Ontario Land Transfer Tax: Detailed Calculation Ontario uses a tiered rate that creates a progressive tax: Rate First $55,000 0.5% $55,001–$250,000 1.0% $250,001–$400,000 1.5% $400,001–$2,000,000 2.0% Over $2,000,000 2.5% Example: $700,000 Ontario home $55,000 × 0.5% = $275 $195,000 × 1.0% = $1,950 $150,000 × 1.5% = $2,250 $300,000 × 2.0% = $6,000 Total: $10,475 Toronto adds a mirror tax, doubling the total to $20,950 for this example. Calculate all your closing costs First-Time Buyer Rebates Ontario: Up to $4,000 rebate (full rebate on homes up to $368,000) Toronto Municipal: Up to $4,475 additional rebate BC: Full exemption on homes up to $500,000; partial $500K–$525K; newly built homes exempt up to $750,000 Nova Scotia (Halifax): First-time buyers may qualify for a rebate program Requirements vary but generally include: never owned a home, Canadian citizen or PR, will occupy as primary residence. Alberta: The Tax-Free Advantage Alberta charges only a flat land title registration fee—typically $300–$500 regardless of purchase price. This is a significant advantage for buyers relocating from Ontario or BC. Savings on a $600,000 home: Ontario: $8,475 (minus $4,000 FTB rebate = $4,475) Alberta: ~$350 Savings: $4,125+ Strategies to Reduce Land Transfer Tax Buy under exemption thresholds in BC ($500K) or time your purchase to qualify for rebates. Consider property type. Some provinces exempt certain transfers (family farms, estate transfers). Negotiate closing date. LTT is based on the price registered at closing—not the original offer price (though these should match). Plan for This Cost Land transfer tax is the single largest closing cost in most provinces. Know your number before you start looking, and ensure your savings cover it on top of your down payment. Calculate Your Closing Costs Get a complete breakdown including land transfer tax for your province. Use Our Calculator Call (416) 822-7357 Frequently Asked Questions Is land transfer tax included in my mortgage? No. LTT must be paid at closing from your own funds. It cannot be added to the mortgage. Budget for it separately. Can I claim land transfer tax on my taxes? No—LTT is not tax-deductible for primary residences. For investment properties, it may be added to the adjusted cost base. Does land transfer tax apply to new construction? Yes, but new construction may qualify for additional rebates (BC newly built exemption, GST new housing rebate).
