When you purchase or gain an interest in property that is registered at the Land Title Office, you or your legal professional must file a property transfer tax return and you must pay property transfer tax, unless you qualify for an exemption. In most cases, property transfers are completed by a legal professional.
The property transfer tax is based on the fair market value of the property (land and improvements) on the day it was registered with the Land Title Office, unless you qualify for an exemption or purchase a pre-sold strata unit.
Property transfer tax should not be confused with annual property taxes. Annual property taxes are paid yearly to your municipal or rural tax office for each property you have a registered interest in to fund services in your area.
General Property Transfer Tax
The general property transfer tax applies for all taxable transactions. The general property transfer tax rate is:
1. 1% of the fair market value up to and including $200,000
2. 2% of the fair market value greater than $200,000 and up to and including $2,000,000
3. 3% of the fair market value greater than $2,000,000
4. Further 2% on residential property over $3,000,000
If the property has residential property worth over $3,000,000, a further 2% tax will be applied to the residential property value greater than $3,000,000. If the property is mixed class (such as residential and commercial), you pay the further 2% tax on only the residential portion of the property.
If the property includes land classed as farm only because it is used for an owner’s or farmer’s dwelling, up to 0.5 hectares will be treated as residential property.
Additional Property Transfer Tax
If you’re a foreign national, foreign corporation or taxable trustee, you must also pay the additional property transfer tax on the fair market value of the residential portion of the property if the property is within a specified area of B.C.
Have questions? Contact me to find answers.
Dan Petersen
Re/Max Action Realty LTD.
(250) 262-7496
dan@remaxaction.ca
BC Property Transfer Tax
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