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Property transfer tax calculator BC

BC Property Transfer Tax Calculator

Estimate property transfer tax BC on fair market value, including the first time home buyer exemption BC, newly built home exemption, and foreign buyer tax BC where it applies. The result is free — no contact wall.

By Alex Lam

Use the calculatorFirst-time buyer guide

Free estimate

Estimate your B.C. property transfer tax

The result appears below as you enter a purchase price. You do not need to leave contact details to see the number.

Property is residential?
Specified additional-tax region?

Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Capital, Central Okanagan, and Nanaimo regional districts. Burnaby is Metro Vancouver. Not Tsawwassen treaty lands.

Exemption program

Confirm principal residence to estimate an exemption. The two programs cannot stack.

Enter a purchase price / fair market value to see the estimate. No email or phone is required to view the result.

What property transfer tax is.

When a transfer is registered at the Land Title Office, British Columbia generally requires a property transfer tax return and payment unless an exemption applies. The tax is based on fair market value of the land and improvements on the registration date. An arm’s-length purchase price is usually accepted if you register within a few months of the contract.

Property transfer tax is a closing cost. It is not annual municipal property tax. This page estimates only property transfer tax BC and the additional tax for some foreign purchasers.

How to use this calculator.

Enter the purchase price / fair market value, say whether the property is residential, whether it is in a specified additional-tax region, who the buyer is, and the eligible ownership share. Check principal residence before estimating a first-time or newly built exemption. The estimate updates without submitting a form.

This tool does not cover lot size over 0.5 hectares, mixed-class splits, leases, pre-sold strata, vacant-lot refunds, or family exemptions. Use the official pages for those facts.

Current property transfer tax rates.

General tax uses three bands. Residential property can add a further 2% above $3,000,000. That further tax is not a single 5% rate over $3 million. Additional 20% tax is a separate foreign-buyer amount in specified areas.

B.C. property transfer tax rates
RateApplies to
1%Fair market value up to and including $200,000
2%Fair market value greater than $200,000 up to and including $2,000,000
3%Fair market value greater than $2,000,000
Further 2%Residential value greater than $3,000,000 only — not a single 5% bracket
Additional 20%Foreign share of residential fair market value in a specified area

First time home buyer exemption BC does not zero $835,000.

On or after 1 April 2024, a qualifying first time home buyer exemption BC can cover the full general tax at $500,000 or less. From just above $500,000 through $835,000 inclusive, the exemption is $8,000. At $835,000 the general tax is $14,700 and payable is $6,700. Between $835,000 and $860,000 the $8,000 exemption phases out by $320 per $1,000. At $860,000 and above it is $0.

$835,000 inclusive still gets the $8,000 exemption. The program also needs occupancy, citizenship or permanent residence, and the required filings.

Newly built home exemption is a separate program.

The newly built home exemption can cover the full general tax at $1,100,000 or less — there is no $500,000 first-time cap. Between $1,100,000 and $1,150,000 the exemption is general tax × ($1,150,000 − fair market value) / $50,000. At $1,150,000 and above it is $0. Then multiply by the eligible ownership share.

First-time and newly built cannot stack. If both appear eligible, claim only the larger dollar exemption.

Additional 20% foreign buyer tax BC.

Additional property transfer tax is 20% × (ownership share × residential fair market value) when the purchaser is a foreign national, foreign corporation, or taxable trustee, the property is residential, and it is in a specified area: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Capital, Central Okanagan, or Nanaimo regional districts. Burnaby is in Metro Vancouver. It does not apply on Tsawwassen treaty lands.

Foreign entities are ineligible for first-time and newly built exemptions. Additional tax is never reduced by those programs.

Worked examples.

$650,000 Canadian purchaser

General property transfer tax is $11,000. That is the Province’s published example: 1% on the first $200,000 plus 2% on $450,000.

$835,000 first-time home buyer

General tax is $14,700. The first-time exemption is $8,000, so payable is $6,700. The exemption covers tax on the first $500,000, not the whole $835,000 price.

$1,100,000 newly built home

If the newly built program applies at 100%, the exemption can cover the full $20,000 general tax. There is no $500,000 first-time cap on this program.

$3,400,000 foreign purchaser in a specified area

General plus further 2% is $88,000. Additional 20% on the full residential value is $680,000. Total $768,000. Exemptions do not reduce the additional tax.

Official calculation examples are on gov.bc.ca.

Property transfer tax questions.

Is PTT the same as land transfer tax?

In British Columbia the provincial tax on a registered transfer is called property transfer tax, not land transfer tax. Some other provinces use “land transfer tax” for a similar closing cost. B.C. property transfer tax is also different from annual municipal property tax.

Does FTHB mean $0 at $835k?

No. On or after 1 April 2024, $835,000 inclusive still receives an $8,000 first-time exemption, not a full waiver. General property transfer tax at that value is $14,700, so the estimate payable is $6,700 if 100% of the transfer qualifies. The first-time cutoff is inclusive of $835,000.

Can I claim FTHB and newly built?

No. They cannot stack (Property Transfer Tax Act s.12.10). If both appear eligible, you can claim only one. This calculator shows both dollar amounts and marks the larger.

Who pays the 20%?

A foreign national, foreign corporation, or taxable trustee pays additional property transfer tax of 20% on the foreign share of residential fair market value when the property is in a specified area. First-time and newly built exemptions do not reduce that additional tax.

Is Burnaby in the 20% area?

Yes. Burnaby is in the Metro Vancouver Regional District, which is a specified area for additional property transfer tax. The tax does not apply on Tsawwassen First Nation treaty lands.

When are rates updated?

The Province publishes current rates and thresholds on the official property transfer tax pages. This calculator uses the general 1% / 2% / 3% bands, the further 2% on residential value above $3,000,000, and the first-time and newly built thresholds that took effect 1 April 2024. Budget 2025 and Budget 2026 did not change those rates or thresholds. Last verified 1 September 2026 PT. Always confirm on gov.bc.ca before you complete.

Disclaimer

This is an estimate only, not legal or tax advice. Tax is on fair market value at registration. Exemptions need occupancy (move in within 92 days, occupy the first year), citizenship or permanent residence, and the required filings. The Property Transfer Tax Act prevails. A false first-time home buyer declaration can trigger a penalty equal to the exemption claimed.

Confirm current rules on the official property transfer tax page. The Province can be reached at PTTENQ@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-841-0090.

Buying in B.C.

Use the estimate, then plan the rest of the purchase.

Buying in BC? I can help you estimate your full closing costs and evaluate properties. The calculator result above does not require this step.

Ask about this estimateContact Alex

Also see the first-time buyer guide, real estate overview, and Burnaby real estate guide.