Land Transfer Tax Calculator

Land Transfer Tax Across Canadian Provinces

Land transfer tax (LTT) is a one-time tax paid when you purchase or acquire land or a beneficial interest in land. The tax is due on closing day and is calculated on the purchase price (or fair market value if no consideration is paid). Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and most Maritime provinces charge LTT on a graduated scale. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the territories charge only flat registration fees — typically $50 to $200 — rather than a percentage-based tax. Toronto is the only Canadian city that levies its own Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) on top of the provincial LTT.

First-time home buyers can receive significant relief. Ontario offers a rebate of up to $4,000 on the provincial LTT, effectively eliminating the tax on the first $368,000 of the purchase price. Toronto provides an additional MLTT rebate of up to $4,475 for first-time buyers. In BC, first-time buyers are fully exempt from the Property Transfer Tax on homes up to $500,000, with a partial exemption on homes up to $835,000. Quebec does not offer a first-time buyer rebate, but its welcome tax (droits de mutation) rates are among the lowest in Canada.

LTT on a $700,000 Home by Province

LTT is not the only closing cost to budget for, but it is often the largest. For Toronto buyers, the double-tax (provincial + municipal) on a million-dollar home exceeds $32,000. To reduce your LTT burden, consider purchasing just below a bracket threshold, or structuring the transaction to qualify for first-time buyer rebates. LTT is not deductible on your personal tax return for a primary residence, but it can be added to the adjusted cost base of a rental or investment property, reducing future capital gains on sale.