Land Transfer Tax Calculator
Estimate the Ontario land transfer tax on your purchase in seconds, then unlock your full breakdown and first-time buyer savings.
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Enter your purchase price and calculate to see your total, full bracket breakdown, and first-time buyer savings.
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Get your bracket-by-bracket numbers and rebate amount. We will not spam you.
Estimates only, based on current Ontario rates and assume one to two single family residences. They exclude the Non-Resident Speculation Tax and any commercial property rates. Confirm final figures with your real estate lawyer.
How much is land transfer tax in Ontario?
Land transfer tax in Ontario is a one-time tax you pay when you buy property and register the title transfer. The rate climbs with your purchase price, from 0.5% on the first $55,000 up to 2% on most homes, and reaches 2.5% on the portion over $2 million. A buyer purchasing a $650,000 home pays about $9,475 before any rebate.
How Ontario land transfer tax works
Ontario charges land transfer tax on a sliding scale, so different parts of your purchase price are taxed at different rates. The buyer pays this tax at closing, and your real estate lawyer handles it during land registration. It is separate from your annual property tax and counts as one of your closing costs.
The tax applies to the value of the land you buy. For most people that is simply the purchase price. The Land Transfer Tax Act sets the brackets, and they have not changed since 2017.
Here is how the Ontario land transfer tax rate breaks down:
| Portion of purchase price | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $55,000 | 0.5% |
| $55,000 to $250,000 | 1.0% |
| $250,000 to $400,000 | 1.5% |
| $400,000 to $2,000,000 | 2.0% |
| Over $2,000,000 (one or two homes) | 2.5% |
Each rate applies only to the portion of the price inside that band, not the whole amount. The calculator above does this math for you and shows the result for each bracket.
The first-time homebuyer rebate in Ontario
If you qualify as a first-time buyer, Ontario gives you a refund of up to $4,000 on your land transfer tax. That rebate covers the full tax on a home priced up to about $368,000, which means many first-time buyers pay nothing. On a higher purchase price you still get the full $4,000 off your bill.
To qualify, you need to meet a few conditions:
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have never owned a home anywhere in the world.
- If you have a spouse, they cannot have owned a home while you were together.
- You move in within nine months of closing.
You claim the refund at registration through your lawyer, or apply to the Ministry of Finance within 18 months. Toggle the first-time buyer option in the calculator to see your savings.
Do Ottawa buyers pay municipal land transfer tax?
No. Ottawa buyers pay only the provincial land transfer tax. Toronto is the one city in Ontario that adds a municipal land transfer tax on top, which roughly doubles the bill for buyers there. Because your property is located in Ottawa, you skip that second tax, so your total cost to close stays lower than it would in the Greater Toronto area.
What this means for your cash to close
Land transfer tax is paid by the buyer in cash on closing day, and you cannot roll it into your mortgage. That makes it one of the bigger closing costs to plan for alongside legal fees and your down payment. Knowing the number early helps you budget with confidence and avoid a surprise at the last minute.
Want to know what your current home is worth before you buy your next one? Get a free home value report to plan both sides of your move.
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Ontario land transfer tax FAQ
Who pays land transfer tax in Ontario, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer pays land transfer tax in Ontario. The seller does not pay it. You pay it once, at closing, when the title transfers to your name.
Is land transfer tax included in my mortgage?
No. Land transfer tax is a closing cost you pay in cash on closing day. It cannot be added to your mortgage, so budget for it separately.
How much land transfer tax will I pay in Ottawa?
Ottawa buyers pay only the Ontario provincial land transfer tax, with no municipal tax added. Use the calculator above to get your exact amount based on your purchase price.
Can I get the first-time buyer rebate twice?
No. The first-time homebuyer refund is a one-time benefit. You cannot claim it if you, or your spouse during your relationship, have ever owned a home.
