That last item is called a land transfer tax (LTT), and it applies everywhere except in Alberta, Saskatchewan and all three territories, which instead charge land transfer fees. Despite the differences in terminology, the idea is the same: The buyer pays a one-time fee to the local government whenever a property changes hands. Below, you will find detailed information on land transfer taxes, fees and rebates:
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What is a land transfer tax?
Most of the time, LTT is calculated as a percentage of the home’s sale price and is due when you complete your home purchase. It’s part of your closing costs, which means you’ll need the cash on hand to pay for it at closing.
You can use a land transfer tax calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to pay. Depending on your home’s value, LTT can easily cost thousands of dollars. The fees charged in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the territories are typically much lower, but what you pay can still be in the thousands depending on the cost of the property. Finally, in Montreal and Toronto, the tax is calculated differently than in other cities in their respective provinces. See the chart below for more insight.
What is LTT?
Land transfer tax—or land transfer fees in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the three territories—is paid by a home buyer as part of closing costs for real estate. The amount is typically based on the selling price and is paid to the province or territory where the property is located. If you buy a home in Toronto or Montreal, you’ll have to pay municipal land transfer tax as well.
Read “What is land transfer tax?” in the MoneySense Glossary.
How is land transfer tax calculated?
Every province and territory in Canada charges on property transfers, as either a fee or a tax. And some municipalities charge a tax called municipal land transfer tax (MLTT). Most of the time, LTT is calculated as a percentage of the value of your home, and most tax rates are marginal, which means the size of the tax increases as the home’s value increases. Land transfer fees are typically based on the purchase price of the home, and they are often accompanied by a mortgage registration fee, based on the size of the mortgage used to purchase the property.
Find out how much you can expect to pay in taxes by inputting the asking prices and more into the land transfer tax calculator above.
Land transfer taxes at a glance
The following table provides an overview of the land transfer tax or fees paid in each province and territory, as well as in Toronto and Montreal, which charge a different rate than their respective provinces. The amounts listed are based on properties purchased for $696,166—the average cost of a home in Canada in October 2024.
| Province | Land transfer tax | Fees | First-time home buyer (FTHB) & other rebates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $0 | Estimated land transfer fee: $278.47. Plus, mortgage registration fee (based on mortgage amount). | n/a |
| British Columbia | $11,923 (provincial) | n/a | FTHB rebate: Full refund for homes purchased for $500,000 or less; partial refund for homes between $500,001 and $525,000. Newly built homes exemption: Full refund for homes purchased for $1,100,000 or less; partial refund for homes between $1,100,001 and $1,150,000 for qualifying homes. |
| Manitoba | $11,573 (provincial) | n/a | n/a |
| New Brunswick | $6,961.66 (provincial) |
n/a | n/a |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $2,883 (provincial) | n/a | n/a |
| Nova Scotia | $10,442 (municipal) | n/a | n/a |
| Ontario (outside of Toronto) | $10,398 (provincial) | n/a | FTHB rebate: Up to $4,000. |
| Toronto | $20,797 (provincial & municipal) | n/a | FTHB rebate: Up to $4,000 from the province and up to $4,475 from the city, for a total potential refund of $8,475. |
| Prince Edward Island | $6,962 (provincial) | n/a | FTHB rebate: Full refund for homes purchased for $200,000 or less. |
| Quebec (outside of Montreal) | $8,942 (municipal) | n/a | n/a |
| Montreal | $9,923 (municipal) | n/a | n/a |
| Saskatchewan | $0 | Estimated land title transfer fee: $2,134. | n/a |
| Northwest Territories | $0 | Estimated land transfer fee: $1,067. Plus, mortgage registration fee (based on mortgage amount). | n/a |
| Nunavut | $0 | Estimated land registration fee: $1,067. Plus, mortgage registration fee (based on mortgage amount). | n/a |
| Yukon | $0 | Land transfer fee of $350. Plus, a mortgage registration fee and a possible assurance fee. | n/a |
Land transfer taxes and fees by province and territory
Alberta
Alberta is one of the few provinces in Canada that does not charge a LTT. Instead, it charges a transfer of land registration fee and a mortgage registration fee.
- The transfer of land registration fee covers the administrative cost of changing the legal title of the land. The buyer is charged $50 plus $2 for every $5,000 of the value of the property.
- The mortgage registration fee covers the issuance of the mortgage. The buyer is charged $50 plus $1.50 for every $5,000 of the principal mortgage amount.
British Columbia
When buying property in British Columbia, the amount of the LTT is based on the value of the property. In B.C., buyers pay a marginal tax rate calculated as a percentage of the home’s value. The tax rates are:
