Land transfer tax calculator / Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia deed transfer tax calculator
Nova Scotia's deed transfer tax is set by each municipality, from 0% to a maximum of 1.5%. Halifax Regional Municipality charges the full 1.5%. Buyers who are not residents of Nova Scotia pay a separate provincial deed transfer tax of 10% on top, refundable if they move to the province within a year.
Purchase
Land transfer tax
$9,750
1.50% of the purchase price
- Nova Scotia's deed transfer tax is set by each municipality (0% to 1.5%); Halifax charges 1.5%. Buyers who are not Nova Scotia residents pay a separate 10% provincial deed transfer tax on top, refundable if they move to the province within a year.
What Nova Scotia deed transfer tax costs at common prices
Computed by the same engine as the calculator above, at 2026 rates.
| Price | Amount |
|---|---|
| $300,000 | $4,500 |
| $500,000 | $7,500 |
| $750,000 | $11,250 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $22,500 |
| $2,000,000 | $30,000 |
How Nova Scotia's deed transfer tax works
Each municipality sets its own rate up to the 1.5% ceiling; Halifax and most larger municipalities charge 1.5%, some rural municipalities charge less, and a few charge nothing. The calculator uses Halifax's rate, so check your municipality if you are buying elsewhere. The tax is on the sale price and is paid through your lawyer at registration. Non-residents buying residential property with three or fewer units pay a further 10% provincial deed transfer tax on the greater of the price and the assessed value, a rate that doubled from 5% on April 1, 2025.
First-time buyers in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has no municipal deed transfer tax rebate for first-time buyers. The federal Home Buyers' Amount, Home Buyers' Plan and First Home Savings Account still apply. For the non-resident tax, changes announced August 7, 2026 give buyers who move to Nova Scotia one year (up from six months) to prove residency and claim a refund, extend the refund application window to two years, and exempt property inherited by a non-resident.
Buying a rental property in Nova Scotia
For an investment property the deed 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 deed transfer tax on a $450,000 home in Halifax?+
$6,750, which is 1.5% of the price. A buyer from outside Nova Scotia would owe a further $45,000 in provincial non-resident deed transfer tax unless they move to the province within a year and apply for the refund.
Who counts as a non-resident for Nova Scotia's 10% tax?+
Anyone who is not ordinarily resident in Nova Scotia at the time of the transfer, including Canadians from other provinces. Buyers who move to Nova Scotia within one year of closing can apply for a refund within two years. Property with four or more units and commercial property are outside the tax.
Which Nova Scotia municipalities have the lowest deed transfer tax?+
Rates range from 0% to 1.5% and are published by each municipality. Halifax and most larger municipalities charge 1.5%; some rural municipalities charge less. Ask your lawyer for the current rate in the municipality you are buying in.
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