Property Transfer Tax


Taxable transactions include:

  • transfer of fee simple
  • right to purchase or agreement for sale
  • lease or lease modification agreements
  • life estate
  • foreclosure 
  • Crown grant
  • escheatforfeiture or quit claim
  • transfer as a result of corporate reorganization

You pay the tax based on the fair market value of the property (land and improvements) at the date of registration with the Land Title Office, unless you qualify for an exemption or purchase a pre-sold strata unit.

If you’re a foreign national, foreign corporation or taxable trustee, you also pay the additional property transfer tax on residential property transfers within specified areas of B.C.

Property transfer tax should not be confused with annual property taxes. Annual property taxes are paid yearly for each property you own or have a registered interest in to fund services in your area.

Buyers need to be aware that that the Property Transfer Tax will be charged and payable on completion.

The property transfer tax rate is:

  • 1% on the first $200,000,
  • 2% on the portion of the fair market value greater than $200,000 and up to and including $2,000,000,
  • 3% on the portion of the fair market value greater than $2,000,000
  • If the property is residential, a further 2% on the portion of the fair market value greater than $3,000,000 (effective February 21, 2018).
  • Fair Market Value
  • Fair market value is the price that would be paid by a willing purchaser to a willing seller for a property (land and improvements) in the open market on the date of registration.


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