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Learn Land Transfer | Haliburton Gold Group

When you're buying a house or condo in Ontario, you'll need to pay a land transfer tax when the deal is finalized. You can easily figure out how much you owe by using the Haliburton Gold Group's calculator. Alternatively, you can check the current tax rates in Ontario below.

Land Transfer Tax Calculator

Determining your land transfer tax
Provincial Land Transfer Tax
$0.00
Total Land Transfer Tax
$0.00

Here are the land transfer tax rates in Ontario, which vary based on the purchase price of your home:

Home Price Range Tax Rate
First $55,000 0.5%
$55,000.01 - $250,000.00 1.0%
$250,000.01 - $400,000.00 1.5%
$400,000.01 - $2,000,000.00 2.0%
Over $2,000,000.00 2.5%

If you're buying a home in Ontario, you'll also need to pay a Ontario Land Transfer Tax. In addition to the land transfer tax, there are other closing costs in Ontario when buying a home, such as fees for an Ontario real estate lawyer and other buyer-related expenses.


Let's look at an example to calculate the Ontario land transfer tax for a $300,000 home:

  1. For the first $55,000:
    $55,000 x 0.50% = $275 land transfer tax

  2. For the next portion ($250,000 - $55,000):
    (    $250,000 - $55,000) x 1.0% = $1,950 land transfer tax

  3. For the remaining portion ($300,000 - $250,000):
    (    $300,000 - $250,000) x 1.5% = $750 land transfer tax


Add these together:

$275 + $1,950 + $750 = $2,975 total Ontario land transfer tax

There's also an Ontario land transfer tax rebate for first-time home buyers, with a maximum rebate of $4,000. This refund fully covers the tax for homes up to $368,000. For homes over $368,000, buyers will receive the full $4,000 rebate and pay the remaining LTT balance.


Here are some examples of the Ontario land transfer tax rebate for different purchase prices:


  • For a $100,000 home, you receive a rebate of $725, making the net tax payable $0.
  • For a $200,000 home, you receive a rebate of $1,725, making the net tax payable $0.
  • For a $227,500 home, you receive a rebate of $2,000, making the net tax payable $0.
  • For a $600,000 home, you receive a rebate of $4,000, so the net tax payable is $4,475.


To be eligible for the first-time home buyer rebate in Ontario, you must meet certain criteria, including:


  • Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Being 18 years or older.
  • Occupying the home within nine months of purchase.
  • Not having owned a home previously.
  • Ensuring that your spouse has not owned a home while being your spouse, although they may have been a previous home owner.
  • If the home is newly constructed, it must also be eligible for home warranty.
  • You must apply for the refund within 18 months of purchase.

Application Process


When you're registering your land transfer and paying taxes, you can apply for a tax refund right away. You'll find tax rebate application forms online for those who register electronically or in person at government offices.


If you don't claim the rebate during the registration, you'll need to pay the full tax amount. However, you can still apply for a refund from the Ministry of Finance within 18 months. To complete your application, you'll need the following information:

  1. A filled-out Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund Affidavit for First-Time Home Buyers.
  2. A copy of the registered land transfer deed.
  3. A copy of the purchase and sale agreement.
  4. A copy of a document showing proof of your residence, like a driver's license, telephone or cable bills, and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Ontario's Land Transfer Tax: Your Essential Guide

  • Who is responsible for paying land transfer tax in Ontario?

    In Ontario, the buyer is responsible for paying land transfer taxes when purchasing property or acquiring a beneficial interest in land. The City of Toronto also has an additional municipal land transfer tax. This tax must be paid before the title transfer is registered.

  • Are there exemptions to the land transfer tax in Ontario?

    Yes, certain transactions are exempt, such as transfers between spouses, transfers to a family business corporation, transfers of farmed land between family members, and life lease transfers from non-profits or charities. Consult a tax specialist to confirm if your situation qualifies.

  • Is there a rebate for land transfer tax in Ontario?

    First-time homebuyers in Ontario may receive a rebate of up to $4,000, which can fully cover the land transfer tax for homes priced under this amount. If the tax exceeds $4,000, the buyer pays the difference.

  • How is the land transfer tax calculated in Ontario?

    The tax is calculated incrementally based on the property’s purchase price:


    0.5% on the first $55,000


    1.0% on $55,000.01 to $250,000


    1.5% on $250,000.01 to $400,000


    2.0% on $400,000.01 to $2,000,000


    2.5% on amounts over $2,000,000

  • When and how must the land transfer tax be paid?

    The land transfer tax must be paid at closing—the time when property ownership is transferred to the buyer. This is a separate, one-time expense that cannot be included in the mortgage. Failure to pay on time can delay registration of the title transfer, requiring submission of a payment and a “Return Acquisition of a Beneficial Interest in Land” form to the Ministry of Finance.



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