Land transfer tax by province: what you will pay

Land transfer tax is a one-time tax paid when you buy a home, and it is often the largest closing cost. How much you pay depends on the province, the price and sometimes the city.

The short version: most provinces charge a tax that rises with the price. Alberta and Saskatchewan have no such tax, only land title fees. First-time buyers may get a rebate or exemption.

Ontario

Ontario uses brackets: 0.5% up to $55,000, 1% to $250,000, 1.5% to $400,000, 2% above that, and 2.5% on the part over $2 million for homes with one or two single-family residences. Toronto adds its own municipal tax at similar rates, so buyers there pay roughly double. First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 from Ontario and up to $4,475 from Toronto.

British Columbia

British Columbia's property transfer tax is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% from $200,000 to $2 million, and 3% above $2 million, with extra tax on residential value above $3 million. Qualifying first-time buyers are exempt in full on homes at or below $500,000, with a smaller exemption on homes up to about $835,000 to $860,000. Confirm the exact limit with the province.

Québec

Québec's transfer duty (the "welcome tax") is set in brackets. In Montréal for 2026 the rates are 0.5% up to $62,900, 1% to $315,000, 1.5% to $552,300, then 2% to $1,104,700, and higher above that. The brackets change every year, and other municipalities may differ.

Manitoba

Manitoba's tax is 0% up to $30,000, 0.5% to $90,000, 1% to $150,000, 1.5% to $200,000 and 2% above that.

Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick: 1% of the greater of the price or the assessed value. The Act has no first-time buyer exemption.
• Nova Scotia: a municipal deed transfer tax, set by each municipality, from about 1% to 1.5%. Halifax charges 1.5%.
• Prince Edward Island: a real property transfer tax applies, with some exemptions, so confirm the rate with the province.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: a deed registration fee rather than a tax on value.

Alberta and Saskatchewan

Neither province has a land transfer tax. They charge land title and registration fees. In Alberta, registering a transfer costs $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of value, and registering a mortgage costs $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of principal. Saskatchewan charges fees based on property value, so ask your lawyer for the figure.

Example: a $500,000 home (approximate)

• Ontario, outside Toronto: $6,475. In Toronto: about $12,950.
• British Columbia: about $8,000 before any exemption.
• Québec (Montréal brackets): about $5,610 under Montréal's 2026 brackets.
• Manitoba: about $7,650.
• New Brunswick: about $5,000.
• Nova Scotia (Halifax): about $7,500.
• Alberta: about $550 for the transfer plus $450 for a $400,000 mortgage.

First-time buyer relief

Several places offer a refund or exemption to first-time buyers: Ontario (up to $4,000), Toronto (up to $4,475) and British Columbia (an exemption up to a price limit). Others have none, so check your province's page.

How to plan

Ask your lawyer or notary for an exact amount before closing, since rates, thresholds and municipal rules change. These figures come from provincial and municipal sources and are simplified, so confirm them. Try your own price and location in our Mortgage Simulator.

Sources: Ontario, Toronto, British Columbia, Montréal, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alberta.