How much you get back
| Maximum | Covers the tax on | |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario refund | $4,000 | about the first $368,000 |
| Toronto MLTT rebate | $4,475 | the first $400,000 |
Example: a $500,000 condo in Toronto. Without the rebates you would pay $12,950.00; as first-time buyers you pay $4,475.00. Outside Toronto the same home costs $2,475.00 after the refund.
Checklist: do I qualify?
- You are at least 18.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident — or become one within 18 months of closing and apply then.
- You have never owned a home, or a share of one, anywhere in the world.
- Your spouse has not owned a home while you were together. If they did, neither of you qualifies.
- You move in within nine months and it is your principal residence.
Buying with someone
The refund follows ownership. If you buy 50/50 with a partner who owned a condo before you met, you can still claim the refund on your 50% (up to $2,000 provincially). If they owned it while you were spouses, neither of you can.
What first-time buyers pay, by price
| Price | Ontario (after refund) | Toronto total (after both) |
|---|---|---|
| $368,000 | $0 | $0 |
| $400,000 | $475 | $475 |
| $450,000 | $1,475 | $2,475 |
| $500,000 | $2,475 | $4,475 |
| $600,000 | $4,475 | $8,475 |
| $700,000 | $6,475 | $12,475 |
| $800,000 | $8,475 | $16,475 |
| $1,000,000 | $12,475 | $24,475 |
How to claim
Most buyers never fill in a form: your lawyer claims both refunds electronically when the deed is registered, and you pay only the net tax. If you missed it, you can apply to the Ontario Ministry of Finance within 18 months of registration (the city has its own form and charges a processing fee for refunds claimed after registration).
Remember the other first-home helpers too: the FHSA, the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (up to $60,000) and the federal first-time home buyers’ tax credit ($10,000 amount, worth $1,500).
Quick reference: closing day in Ontario
| Cost | Typical amount | Paid when |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario land transfer tax | Brackets from 0.5% to 2.5% | Closing (via lawyer) |
| Toronto MLTT (Toronto only) | Same brackets to $3M, higher above | Closing (via lawyer) |
| Legal fees + disbursements | About $1,500 – $3,000 | Closing |
| Title insurance | A few hundred dollars | Closing |
| PST on CMHC premium | 8% of the premium | Closing (cash) |
Your lawyer will send a statement of adjustments a few days before closing with the exact amount to wire, including land transfer tax net of any first-time buyer refunds.
Common questions
- Is land transfer tax deductible? Not for a home you live in. For a rental property it is added to the cost of the property.
- Do I pay it on a gift from a parent? Usually only on the value of what you pay or take over (for example a mortgage), so a pure gift can be close to tax-free — ask your lawyer.
- What about the 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax? It applies across Ontario to foreign nationals and some foreign entities, on top of land transfer tax.
Rates were checked against the Ontario Ministry of Finance and City of Toronto pages on 5 November 2026.
FAQ
How much is the first-time home buyer land transfer tax rebate in Ontario?
Up to $4,000 from Ontario. In Toronto you also get up to $4,475 back from the city, $8,475 in total.
How much land transfer tax do first-time buyers pay on $500,000 in Toronto?
$4,475.00 after both rebates.
Do I qualify if my partner owned a home before?
Yes, if they owned it before you became spouses or common-law partners. If they owned it while you were together, neither of you qualifies.
Sources (checked 5 November 2026): Land Transfer Tax Act (Ontario) and Ontario Ministry of Finance “Land transfer tax refunds for first-time homebuyers” (ontario.ca, max $4,000 since Jan 1, 2017); City of Toronto, “Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) rates and fees” (toronto.ca: graduated rates above $3M from April 1, 2026, Council decision of Dec 17, 2025); TRREB, “Land transfer tax rebates – provincial and Toronto” (Toronto rebate max $4,475); NOW Toronto, Dec 18, 2025.