Canada · Land Transfer Tax
British Columbia's property transfer tax starts at a friendly 1% but climbs to a 5% top band above $3 million, which is the steepest luxury rate in Canada and deliberately targets Vancouver's high-end market. First time buyers are exempt entirely on homes up to $835,000 (2024 thresholds), a relief worth up to $8,000. Foreign buyers face an additional 20% speculation-and-vacancy-linked burden in Metro Vancouver, so duty planning differs sharply between residents and non-residents.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Transfer tax / stamp duty: CA$16,000.00
Jurisdiction comparison at CA$900,000.00
British Columbia pays CA$16,000.00 (1.78%) vs British Columbia at CA$16,000.00 (1.78%).
1% to $200,000, 2% to $2m, 3% to $3m, and 5% above — a $900k home pays ~$16,000. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| CAD 0.00 – CAD 200,000.00 | 1% |
| CAD 200,000.00 – CAD 2,000,000.00 | CAD 2,000.00 + 2% above CAD 200,000.00 |
| CAD 2,000,000.00 – CAD 3,000,000.00 | CAD 38,000.00 + 3% above CAD 2,000,000.00 |
| CAD 3,000,000.00+ | CAD 68,000.00 + 5% above CAD 3,000,000.00 |
Indicative figures checked against official sources on — official source: Government of BC — property transfer tax. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A CAD 900,000.00 purchase in British Columbia attracts about CAD 16,000.00 in land transfer tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 1.78%. BC Land Title fees are about $200–$700 depending on the property value. That makes the all-in cash requirement CAD 916,000.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
1% to $200,000, 2% to $2m, 3% to $3m, and 5% above — a $900k home pays ~$16,000. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Government of BC — property transfer tax before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a CAD 900,000.00 property attracts about CAD 16,000.00 in land transfer tax — an effective rate of 1.78%. BC Land Title fees are about $200–$700 depending on the property value. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
First-time buyers: full exemption on homes up to $835,000 (partial to ~$860,000). Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by buyer type, so verify your situation with Government of BC — property transfer tax or a conveyancer.
The buyer normally pays the land transfer tax in British Columbia — in full, before or at settlement — and it usually cannot be added to the mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit. Purchase contracts can reassign the obligation, so confirm what yours says.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: land transfer tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Government of BC — property transfer tax or a qualified local professional.
