A complete side-by-side comparison of deed transfer and land transfer taxes across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland for 2025.
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Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYA| Province | Tax Name | Who Collects | Rate | Tax Basis | First-Timer Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | Deed Transfer Tax | Municipality | 1.5% | Purchase price | No (check locally) |
| New Brunswick | Deed Transfer Tax | Province | 1.0% | Assessed value | No |
| PEI | Real Property Transfer Tax | Province | 1.0% | Higher of price/assessed | Partial (check current rules) |
| Newfoundland | Registration Fee | Province | ~$100 flat | N/A | N/A |
Nova Scotia's deed transfer tax is collected by individual municipalities, not the province. The standard rate is 1.5% of the purchase price, applied from the first dollar. Halifax Regional Municipality, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and all other NS municipalities follow this structure.
Because the tax is on purchase price (not assessed value), buyers in rising markets pay more as prices increase — there is no cap or threshold relief. On a $600,000 Halifax home, the deed transfer tax is $9,000. There is no provincial first-time buyer rebate, though some municipalities have explored local programs.
Links: Halifax DTT Calculator | Nova Scotia DTT Calculator
New Brunswick's deed transfer tax is a provincial tax charged at 1.0% of the property's assessed value as determined by Service New Brunswick. This structure is advantageous in rising markets where purchase prices exceed assessed values — buyers effectively pay a lower percentage of what they paid.
The assessed value is reviewed annually by the province. In active markets like Moncton and Fredericton, assessed values have often lagged behind rapidly rising purchase prices, meaning buyers have paid less tax than they would have if the tax were based on purchase price.
Links: NB LTT Calculator | Moncton LTT Calculator
PEI's real property transfer tax is set at 1.0% of the higher of the purchase price or assessed value. This "higher of" structure prevents buyers from using a lower assessed value to reduce the tax in markets where purchase prices exceed assessments. In PEI's rapidly rising real estate market, purchase prices are typically higher than assessed values, so most buyers pay on their actual purchase price.
PEI has offered first-time buyer programs at various times, including partial exemptions for qualifying buyers. Check with the PEI Department of Finance for current first-time buyer programs as these rules can change year to year.
Links: PEI LTT Calculator
Newfoundland and Labrador stands out as the only Atlantic province — and one of very few Canadian provinces — without a meaningful deed transfer tax. Property buyers in NL pay only a small land registration fee of approximately $100. This makes NL by far the most cost-effective province in Atlantic Canada for property transaction costs.
The savings are substantial. A buyer purchasing a $450,000 home saves approximately $6,650 in closing costs compared to buying a comparable home in Nova Scotia, and approximately $3,400 compared to PEI. This advantage makes NL particularly attractive for first-time buyers who are stretching their budgets.
Links: Newfoundland Closing Costs Guide
From a pure closing cost perspective, Newfoundland wins decisively. But closing costs are just one part of the equation. Consider total home prices, mortgage rates, property taxes, employment opportunities, and lifestyle factors when choosing where to buy in Atlantic Canada.
For buyers comparing Moncton vs. Halifax, the NB deed transfer tax savings (approximately $3,000–$5,000 on a typical purchase) are meaningful but may be offset by other factors including lower home prices already available in Moncton. Always calculate the total cost of homeownership — not just the purchase-day closing costs — when comparing Atlantic Canada markets.
Regardless of which Atlantic province you buy in, federal first-time buyer programs are available: the First Home Savings Account (FHSA — up to $40,000 tax-free), the Home Buyers' Plan (RRSP withdrawal up to $35,000), and the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit ($100 at 15% = $1,500 federal tax credit). These programs apply equally in Halifax, Moncton, Charlottetown, and St. John's.