Land transfer tax calculator / British Columbia
BC property transfer tax calculator
British Columbia calls it property transfer tax: 1% on the first $200,000, 2% up to $2 million, 3% above that, and a further 2% on the residential portion above $3 million. First-time buyers can save up to $8,000 on homes up to $835,000, and buyers of new homes up to $1.1 million pay nothing at all.
Purchase
Land transfer tax
$11,000
1.69% of the purchase price
What BC property transfer tax costs at common prices
Computed by the same engine as the calculator above, at 2026 rates.
| Price | Amount | First-time buyer |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $4,000 | $0saves $4,000 |
| $500,000 | $8,000 | $0saves $8,000 |
| $750,000 | $13,000 | $5,000saves $8,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $38,000 | $38,000 |
2026 rates and brackets
| First $200,000 | 1% |
| $200,000 to $2,000,000 | 2% |
| $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 | 3% |
| Over $3,000,000 | 5% |
How BC's property transfer tax works
The rate is marginal, so a $900,000 home pays 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remaining $700,000, for $16,000. Above $2 million the rate steps up to 3% on that portion, and homes with a residential value above $3 million pay an additional 2% on the slice above $3 million, giving an effective 5% at the top. The tax is based on fair market value at registration, which is normally the purchase price in an arm's-length sale, and is paid through your lawyer or notary when the transfer is filed at the Land Title Office.
First-time buyers in British Columbia
The First Time Home Buyers' Program removes up to $8,000 of tax on homes with a fair market value up to $835,000, and phases that saving out to nothing at $860,000. Below $500,000 the exemption covers the whole tax. To qualify you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have lived in BC for the 12 months before registration or filed at least two BC income tax returns in the last six years, never have owned a principal residence anywhere in the world, and move in within 92 days. The land must be half a hectare or less. Separately, anyone buying a newly built home as a principal residence pays no tax up to $1.1 million, with a partial exemption to $1.15 million, first-time buyer or not.
Buying a rental property in British Columbia
The first-time buyer relief requires you to live in the home, so it does not apply to a pure rental purchase. For an investment property the property transfer tax is not deductible against rental income. It is added to your adjusted cost base, recovered partly through capital cost allowance on the building and fully through a smaller capital gain when you sell, as explained in our capital gains on a rental property guide. Add it to the purchase price in our rental property calculator so your cash-on-cash return reflects the real cash you put in.
Frequently asked questions
How much is BC property transfer tax on an $800,000 home?+
$14,000: 1% on the first $200,000 ($2,000) plus 2% on the remaining $600,000 ($12,000). A qualifying first-time buyer saves $8,000 of that and pays $6,000.
Does the foreign buyer tax still apply in BC?+
The additional property transfer tax of 20% for foreign nationals and foreign corporations still exists in the legislation for specified regions, but the federal ban on non-Canadians buying residential property, extended to the end of 2026, means most foreign buyers cannot purchase at all. Get advice before assuming either rule applies to your situation.
Is the first-time buyer exemption available on a rental property in BC?+
No. You must move into the home within 92 days of registration and live there for at least a year, so a property bought purely to rent does not qualify. If you buy a house with a suite and live in the main unit, the exemption applies to the whole property.
Does BC charge property transfer tax on a pre-sale assignment?+
The tax is paid by the final buyer on registration, based on the fair market value at that date, which for an assigned pre-sale is generally the original price plus the assignment fee. The assignor pays no property transfer tax because no title transfers to them.
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