Home buyers in most large Canadian centres have to add Land Transfer Taxes ("LTT") to their list of closing costs. Unless you live in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or rural Nova Scotia, Land Transfer Taxes (or property purchase taxes) are a basic fact of life.
Land Transfer Taxes, levied on properties changing hands, are the responsibility of the purchaser. Depending on where you live, the taxes can range from 0.5% to 2.5% of the total value of the property.
Use my Land Transfer Tax Calculator Tool below to estimate the LTT on your residential or commercial property purchase.
Many provinces have multi-tiered taxation systems and these can be complicated. If you purchase a property for $260,000 in Ontario, for example, 0.5% is charged on the first $55,000; 1% is charged on $55,000 to $250,000, and 1.5% is charged on $250,000 to $400,000.
More information is available on Ontario Land Transfer Tax information page, or you can visit the Ontario Minister of Revenue Website and refer to Ontario Tax Bulletin LTT 4-2003.
Effective April 21, 2017, a 15% Non-Resident Speculation Tax is imposed on the purchase or acquisition of an interest in residential property located in the Greater Golden Horseshoe by individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada or by foreign corporations (foreign entities) or taxable trustees. This new tax is in addition to Ontario's current Land Transfer Tax.