What Alberta home buyers actually pay — and how much you save vs. Ontario and BC
If you're buying a home in Alberta, you have one of Canada's biggest real estate financial advantages: no provincial land transfer tax. While Ontario and BC buyers pay thousands of dollars in land transfer taxes at closing, Alberta home buyers pay $0.
This page explains exactly what Alberta charges instead, how much you save compared to other provinces, and what your actual closing costs look like.
Approximate land transfer tax savings vs Ontario (provincial only)
Alberta does charge two administrative fees at the Land Titles Office when you buy a home. These are not taxes — they're small registration fees:
Calculated on the property's purchase price. Approximately $50 base + $1.50 per $5,000 of property value.
A separate fee to register the mortgage on title. Same rate formula, calculated on the mortgage amount (not purchase price).
Progressive tax on the purchase price, paid at closing. Plus Toronto buyers pay a second municipal land transfer tax of the same amount.
Similar progressive structure applied to all BC home purchases.
| Province | Land Transfer Tax? | Rate on $500K Home | Approx Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | NO — $0 | N/A | $0 |
| Saskatchewan | No (small fee) | N/A | ~$350 fee |
| Ontario | Yes | Progressive | ~$6,475 |
| BC | Yes | 1–3% | ~$8,000 |
| Manitoba | Yes | Progressive | ~$6,500 |
| Quebec | Yes (Welcome Tax) | Progressive | ~$5,500 |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | 1.5% | ~$7,500 |
Alberta already saves you thousands with no land transfer tax. Save even more with KOHO's zero-fee banking. Cash back on groceries and gas, built-in budgeting, and a free prepaid Visa. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus.
Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYAThe Alberta Land Titles Office charges registration fees for transferring title and registering a new mortgage. The current fee structure is approximately $50 base plus $1.50 for every $5,000 (or part thereof) of the property value. For the mortgage registration, the same formula applies to the mortgage amount.
On a $580,000 purchase with a $464,000 mortgage (20% down), you'd pay approximately $224 for the title transfer and $189 for mortgage registration — a combined $413. Compare that to Ontario's ~$9,475 in land transfer tax on the same value, and the savings are dramatic.
No. Alberta is one of only a few Canadian provinces with no provincial land transfer tax. You pay a small Land Title Transfer Fee to the Land Titles Office, but this is an administrative fee, not a tax, and is typically under $300 on an average Alberta home purchase.
The main fees are: Land Title Transfer Fee (~$150–$350), Mortgage Registration Fee (~$100–$250), legal fees ($1,000–$2,000), home inspection ($400–$600), and title insurance ($200–$400). No provincial land transfer tax applies.
Since Alberta has no land transfer tax, there's no LTT rebate to claim. However, first-time buyers can access the federal First Home Savings Account (FHSA) for up to $40,000 in tax-deductible contributions and the Home Buyers' Plan to withdraw up to $35,000 from an RRSP.
No, the land title transfer fee is a closing cost that gets added to the adjusted cost base of your property, not deducted as a current expense. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Last updated: March 2025. Land title fees are approximate and subject to change. Verify with Alberta Land Titles Office for exact current rates.