Buyer Tools · Southern Georgian Bay
Estimate the Ontario land transfer tax you'll owe at closing, apply the first-time buyer rebate, and see what the same purchase would cost in Toronto.
Based on current Ontario land transfer tax rates for a single-family residence. This is an estimate — confirm exact figures with your real estate lawyer.
Land Transfer Tax Due at Closing
Ontario land transfer tax only · no municipal tax here
Buying in Toronto instead?
The same purchase there carries an extra — in municipal land transfer tax, for a total of —. Buying here saves you about —.
Estimate only. Land transfer tax is paid once, at closing, through your lawyer. Rebate eligibility and exact amounts should be confirmed with your lawyer.
Talk to Paul about your closing costsHow It's Calculated
| Portion of purchase price | Rate |
|---|---|
| On the first $55,000 | 0.5% |
| $55,000 to $250,000 | 1.0% |
| $250,000 to $400,000 | 1.5% |
| $400,000 to $2,000,000 | 2.0% |
| Over $2,000,000 | 2.5% |
The tax is tiered — each rate applies only to the portion of the price within that band, not the whole amount. First-time buyers receive a provincial rebate of up to $4,000. The 2.5% top band applies to one or two single-family residences.
A Local Advantage
If you're moving up from the city, this is one cost that gets noticeably smaller. The City of Toronto charges its own municipal land transfer tax on top of the provincial one — essentially doubling the bill. Toronto buyers pay it twice; buyers in Collingwood, Thornbury, Blue Mountain, Meaford, and the rest of the Georgian Bay area pay the provincial tax only.
On an $800,000 home, that difference is over $12,000 — money that stays in your pocket simply because of where you're buying.
Common Questions
How is land transfer tax calculated in Ontario?
It's a tiered tax on the purchase price: 0.5% on the first $55,000, 1.0% up to $250,000, 1.5% up to $400,000, 2.0% up to $2,000,000, and 2.5% above that. Each rate applies only to the portion of the price in that band.
Is there a first-time home buyer rebate?
Yes — eligible first-time buyers get back up to $4,000, which fully covers the tax on a home up to about $368,000. You must be 18 or older, have never owned a home anywhere in the world, and move into the home as your principal residence within nine months of closing.
Do I pay a municipal land transfer tax in this area?
No. Only the City of Toronto levies a municipal land transfer tax. Everywhere in the Georgian Bay area you pay the Ontario provincial tax only, which is why a purchase here costs roughly half what the same price would in Toronto.
When and how do I pay it?
Once, at closing. Your real estate lawyer collects it with your other closing costs and remits it when title is registered. It can't be rolled into your mortgage, so budget for it as cash on closing — alongside legal fees and the rest of your closing costs.
Let's Talk Numbers
Land transfer tax is one piece. Add legal fees, your down payment, property tax, and moving costs, and the full picture matters. I help buyers understand all of it before they commit.
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