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Information for First Time Home and Condo Buyers
Land Transfer Tax Explained
Purchasers in most large Canadian centres can add land transfer tax to their list of closing costs.
Unless you live in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or rural Nova Scotia, land transfer taxes (or property purchase tax) are a basic fact of life. These taxes, levied on properties that are changing hands, are the responsibility of the purchaser. Depending on where you live, taxes can range from a half a per cent to two per cent of the total value of the property.
Many provinces have multi-tiered taxation systems that can prove complicated. If you purchase a property for $260,000 in Ontario, for example, .5 per cent is charged on the first $55,000, 1 per cent is charged on $55,000 - $250,000, while the $250,000 - $400,000 range is taxed at 1.5 per cent. Your total tax bill? $2,375.00.
To calculate Ontario land transfer tax:
Up to $55,000 X 0.5 % of total property value
From $55,000 to $250,000 X 1.0 % of total property value
From $250,000 to $400,000 X 1.5 % of total property value
From $400,000 up X 2.0 % of total property value
And the new land transfer tax in Toronto is as follows:
0.5% - on the first $55,000
1.0% - on portion between $55,000 - $400,000
2.0% - on anything over $400,000
First time buyers are exempt on the first $400,000
It's actually much easier than you'd think, isn't it?
Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or are ready to embark on your homebuying and selling journey!
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