Calculating your Land Transfer Tax in Ontario and Toronto

by Hashem Nahar

What is Land Transfer Tax?

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) is a provincial tax that you, as a home buyer, must pay when purchasing a property. The amount you pay for LTT depends on the province you purchase is located within, as well as the price of your new home.

In Toronto for example, a home buyer must make two LTT payments, one to the province of Ontario and the other to the City of Toronto, respectively.

Land Transfer Tax in Ontario

  • If the value of the home you purchase is $55,000 or less, then you must pay 0.5% of that price for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is between $55,000 and $250,000, then you must pay 1.0% of that price for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is between $250,000 and $400,000, then you must pay 1.5% of that price for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is between $400,000 and $2,000,000 then you must pay 2.0% of that value for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is more than $2,000,000 then you must pay 2.5% of that value for LTT.

As such, let’s say you purchase a home for $500,000 in Ontario (Toronto to be specific), then you have to pay $6,475 for LTT.

Here's the calculation:

First $55,000 -  55,000 x .5= $55,000 x .5% = $275

Next $195,000 ($250K - $55K): = $195,000 x 1% = $1,950

Next $150,000 ($400K-250K) = $150,000 x 1.5% = $2,250

Balance of $100,000 ($500K - $400K): $100,000 x 2% = $2,000

Province LLT Total: $6,475.

Land Transfer Tax in the City of Toronto

  • If the value of the home you purchase is $55,000 or less, then you must pay 0.5% of that price for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is between $55,000 and $400,000, then you must pay 1.0% of that price for LTT.
  • If the value of the home you purchase is more than $4000,000 then you must pay 2.0% of that value for LTT.

To continue on the previous example, your $500,000 home in Toronto; would have an additional city land transfer tax of $6,475.

Here's the calculation:

First $55,000 -  55,000 x .5= $55,000 x .5% = $275

Next $150,000 ($400K-55K) = $345,000 x 1% = $3,450

Balance of $100,000 ($500K - $400K): $100,000 x 2% = $2,000

City LLT Total: $6,475.

Total LTT:  $12,950 ($6,475 + $6,4750)

It is also worthy to note that first time home buyers in Toronto (& Ontario) are subject to a rebate of their LTT.  To learn more about the rebate read our article “Land Transfer Tax Rebate”.

To Calculate your Land Transfer Taxes click here.

Toronto Real Estate: Buy - Rent - Invest