1 Purchase Information
2 Buyer Status
📊 BC PTT Rate Table (2026)▼
| Portion of Fair Market Value | PTT Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to and including $200,000 | 1% |
| $200,001 – $2,000,000 | 2% |
| Over $2,000,000 | 3% |
| Residential portion over $3,000,000 | +2% (further tax) |
PTT uses marginal rates — each portion of the value is taxed at its own rate, not the whole value at the top rate.
🏠 First-Time Home Buyers' Program▼
Exemption Thresholds
- Full exemption: Fair market value ≤ $835,000 → 100% PTT exempt
- Partial exemption: $835,000 – $860,000 → Exemption phases out
- No exemption: Above $860,000
Eligibility Requirements
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- You have lived in BC for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the registration date, OR have filed at least 2 BC income tax returns as a resident
- You have never owned an interest in a principal residence anywhere in the world (or you've been out of a marriage-like relationship for at least one year)
- The property is your principal residence
- The fair market value does not exceed the threshold
- No person other than your spouse owns the property
- You must move into the home within 92 days of registration and live there for at least 1 year
Worked Example
On a $750,000 home in Surrey, standard PTT would be $13,000. With the FTHB exemption, you pay $0.
How to Claim
Your legal professional claims the exemption when filing the property transfer tax return at the Land Title Office. Exemptions must be claimed at the time of registration.
🏗️ Newly Built Home Exemption▼
Exemption Thresholds
- Full exemption: Value ≤ $1,100,000 → 100% PTT exempt
- Partial exemption: $1,100,000 – $1,150,000 → Exemption phases out
- No exemption: Above $1,150,000
Qualifying Homes
- Newly constructed homes
- Presale condominiums
- Substantially renovated homes
Combining with FTHB
You may qualify for both the FTHB and Newly Built exemptions. You can only claim one — the calculator automatically applies whichever saves you the most tax.
How to Claim
Your legal professional claims the exemption at the Land Title Office when filing the property transfer tax return. The property must be used as your principal residence.
🌍 Additional Property Transfer Tax (Foreign Buyer Tax)▼
What is it?
The Additional Property Transfer Tax (also called the "foreign buyer tax") is an extra 20% tax on the fair market value of the residential portion of a property. It applies to foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and taxable trustees.
Who Pays
- Foreign nationals: Individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Foreign corporations: Corporations not incorporated in Canada, or controlled by foreign entities
- Taxable trustees: Trusts with foreign entity trustees or beneficiaries
Specified Areas of BC
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley
- Capital Regional District
- Nanaimo
- Okanagan Central
Critical Rule
If ANY ONE of the transferees is a foreign entity or taxable trustee, the 20% additional tax applies to the full residential value — not just the foreign entity's ownership share.
Worked Example
🔄 BC Home Flipping Tax Reminder▼
What is it?
The BC Home Flipping Tax is a separate tax that applies to profits from selling a property within 2 years of purchase. It was introduced effective January 1, 2025.
Rates
Rates vary based on how long you owned the property, starting at approximately 20% for properties held for less than one year and phasing out at 2 years.
Who Pays
Anyone who sells a residential property in BC within 2 years of purchase, with limited exemptions (death, divorce, disability, relocation for work, etc.).
Learn More
See the BC Home Flipping Tax page for full details. This calculator only estimates the property transfer tax and does not include the Home Flipping Tax.
3 Frequently Asked Questions
What is BC Property Transfer Tax?
BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a provincial tax paid when you purchase or gain an interest in property registered at the Land Title Office. The rate is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on the portion over $200,000 up to $2,000,000, and 3% on the portion over $2,000,000.
How much is the First-Time Home Buyer exemption in BC?
The BC First-Time Home Buyers' Program provides a full PTT exemption on homes valued up to $835,000. A partial exemption is available for homes between $835,000 and $860,000, phasing out to zero at $860,000.
What is the Newly Built Home exemption?
The Newly Built Home Exemption provides a full PTT exemption on newly built homes valued up to $1,100,000. A partial exemption is available for homes between $1,100,000 and $1,150,000.
What is the BC foreign buyer tax?
The Additional Property Transfer Tax is 20% of the fair market value of the residential portion of the property. It applies to foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and taxable trustees in specified areas of BC.
Can I combine FTHB and Newly Built exemptions?
You may qualify for both exemptions, but you can only claim one. The calculator applies whichever exemption saves you more tax.
How do I apply for the BC PTT exemption?
Your legal professional files the property transfer tax return at the Land Title Office. Exemptions must be claimed at the time of registration. Supporting documentation is required.
4 Official Resources
Office: 236-478-1593
Email: PTTENQ@gov.bc.ca
Verify all calculations with the BC Ministry of Finance before filing.
⚠️This tool is for information purpose only. We do not guarantee any claim.
It is made based on data publicaly available on official website of concerned department.
Last Updated: March 2026 | Official Determination Required