BC Property Transfer Tax Calculator
Enter your purchase price and see your exact BC property transfer tax — including the 20% foreign buyer surcharge if applicable, the first-time buyer exemption (up to $17,200 saved), and the newly built home exemption. Most PTT calculators don't account for the foreign buyer surcharge or show your total cash-to-close.
BC Property Transfer Tax: BC PTT is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on $200,001–$2,000,000, 3% on $2,000,001–$3,000,000, and 5% above $3,000,000. A $1,000,000 purchase costs $18,000 in PTT. First-time buyers get a full exemption on purchases up to $835,000, saving up to $17,200.
Enter Property Details
$1,000,000
BC PTT Structure
- •First $200,000: 1%
- •$200,001 to $2,000,000: 2%
- •$2,000,001 to $3,000,000: 3%
- •Over $3,000,000: 5%
Tax Breakdown
Total PTT Payable
$18,000.00
This calculator provides estimates based on current BC Property Transfer Tax rates. Exemptions may have additional eligibility requirements. Consult a legal professional for your specific situation.
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How Property Transfer Tax Works in BC
The Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a provincial tax paid by buyers whenever property changes hands in British Columbia. It's calculated based on the fair market value of the property and must be paid at the time of registration.
PTT Rate Structure
- First $200,000: 1% ($2,000)
- $200,001 to $2,000,000: 2%
- $2,000,001 to $3,000,000: 3%
- Over $3,000,000: 5%
Example: $1,500,000 Home
- 1% on first $200K: $2,000
- 2% on remaining $1,300K: $26,000
- Total PTT: $28,000
First-Time Home Buyer Exemption
As of April 1, 2024, BC offers a full PTT exemption for first-time home buyers purchasing a property valued at $835,000 or less, saving up to $17,200. A partial exemption applies between $835,000 and $860,000. For newly built homes, the full exemption applies up to $1,100,000 (partial up to $1,150,000).
Eligibility Requirements:
- • Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- • Lived in BC for at least 1 year, or filed 2 BC income tax returns in last 6 years
- • Never owned a principal residence anywhere in the world
- • Property must be your primary residence
- • Property must be 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres) or smaller
The PTT exemption is just one of several first-time buyer programs in BC. See our guide to every BC first-time buyer grant and program in 2026 — including the FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan, and how to stack them.
Newly Built Home Exemption
Even if you're not a first-time buyer, you may qualify for a PTT exemption on a newly built home. As of April 2024, the full exemption applies to homes valued at $1,100,000 or less, with partial exemptions up to $1,150,000. The home must be used as your principal residence.
Foreign Buyer Tax
Foreign nationals and foreign-controlled corporations pay an additional 20% tax on property purchases in designated areas of BC, including Metro Vancouver. This is on top of the general PTT. For a $1,000,000 property, the foreign buyer surcharge alone would be $200,000.
Vancouver PTT: What Buyers Need to Know in 2026
How Much Is PTT on a $1 Million Home in BC?
For a $1,000,000 home in BC, the property transfer tax is $18,000: $2,000 (1% on first $200K) + $16,000 (2% on remaining $800K). First-time buyers do not qualify for the exemption at this price point (the $835,000 full-exemption threshold is below $1M). Budget this amount in addition to your down payment and closing costs.
When Is PTT Due in BC?
Property transfer tax is payable at the time of property registration, which is your completion date (closing day). Your lawyer or notary handles the payment from the funds on their trust account. Make sure this amount is included in your closing cost planning.
Can I Finance Property Transfer Tax?
PTT cannot typically be added to your mortgage. It must be paid out-of-pocket from your own funds at closing. Some buyers use savings, a line of credit, or family gifts to cover this cost. For a $1.5 million home, you'll need $28,000 in cash for PTT alone, on top of your down payment.
Other Closing Costs for Vancouver Buyers
- Property transfer tax: 1-5% tiered (this calculator)
- Legal fees: $1,500 - $2,500
- Home inspection: $500 - $800
- Appraisal fee: $300 - $500
- Title insurance: $200 - $400
- Property insurance: Required by lenders
- CMHC insurance: 2.8-4% if less than 20% down
- Moving costs: $1,000 - $5,000+
Use our mortgage calculator to estimate monthly payments and our commission calculator to understand selling costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is property transfer tax in BC?
BC property transfer tax is calculated on a tiered structure: 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on $200,001-$2,000,000, 3% on $2,000,001-$3,000,000, and 5% on amounts over $3,000,000. For a $1,000,000 home, the PTT is $18,000. For a $2,000,000 home, it's $38,000.
Who pays property transfer tax in BC?
The buyer pays property transfer tax in BC. It is due at the time of property registration (your completion/closing date). Your lawyer or notary handles the payment from the funds in their trust account. PTT cannot typically be added to your mortgage and must be paid from your own funds.
What is the first-time home buyer PTT exemption in BC?
As of April 1, 2024, first-time home buyers in BC receive a full PTT exemption on properties valued at $835,000 or less, saving up to $17,200. A partial exemption applies between $835,000 and $860,000. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have lived in BC for at least 12 consecutive months, and never have owned a principal residence anywhere in the world.
What is the newly built home PTT exemption?
BC offers a PTT exemption for newly built homes regardless of first-time buyer status. As of April 2024, the full exemption applies to homes valued at $1,100,000 or less, with a partial exemption between $1,100,000 and $1,150,000. The property must be your principal residence. This can save up to $23,000 in property transfer tax on a qualifying new construction purchase.
How much is the foreign buyer tax in BC?
Foreign nationals and foreign-controlled corporations pay an additional 20% property transfer tax on purchases in designated areas of BC, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Capital Regional District, Central Okanagan, and Nanaimo. This is in addition to the general PTT. For a $1,000,000 property, the foreign buyer surcharge alone is $200,000.
When is property transfer tax due in BC?
Property transfer tax is due on the completion date (closing day) when the property title is registered in your name. Your lawyer or notary collects this from your closing funds and remits it to the BC government. Make sure to have these funds available before your closing date.
Can I add property transfer tax to my mortgage?
No, property transfer tax cannot typically be added to your mortgage in BC. It must be paid out-of-pocket from your own funds at closing. For a $1,500,000 home, you need $28,000 in cash for PTT alone, on top of your down payment and other closing costs. Some buyers use savings, a line of credit, or family gifts to cover this cost.
How much are total closing costs when buying in Vancouver?
Beyond the purchase price and down payment, total closing costs for buying in Vancouver typically include: property transfer tax (1-5% tiered, with exemptions for first-time buyers), legal fees ($1,500-$2,500), home inspection ($500-$800), appraisal ($300-$500), title insurance ($200-$400), and property insurance. If your down payment is less than 20%, add CMHC insurance (2.8-4% of mortgage). Budget 1.5-3% of purchase price for closing costs.
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