Government Announces Provincial LTT Changes

The provincial government has announced significant changes to the Provincial Land Transfer Tax (PLTT), including a doubling of the rebate available to first-time home buyers, bringing it in line with the City of Toronto’s rebate, and an increase in the PLTT paid on the portion of the price of properties over $2,000,000 to help pay for the increase in the first-time buyer rebate.

The provincial government is proposing to double the maximum rebate for first-time home buyers from $2,000 to $4,000. This change would bring the PLTT rebate in line with the City of Toronto LTT rebate. The real estate industry welcomes this change, which will help to make housing more affordable in the GTA.

The provincial government is proposing to increase the PLTT for homes priced over $2,000,000 by charging 2.5% on the portion of the value above $2,000,000 (currently this portion is charged 2%).

For non-residential properties, the provincial government is proposing to increase the PLTT on the portion of the value above $400,000 to 2% (currently this portion is charged 1.5%).

As a transitional measure, purchasers who entered into agreements of purchase and sale on or before November 14, 2016 would not be subject to the increased rates of tax.

TREB welcomes the increase to the provincial first-time buyer rebate to bring it in line with a similar rebate in the City of Toronto as long overdue. TREB, however, always has concerns with tax increases on property, and governments should be focused on measures to make property ownership in the GTA more affordable, not more expensive.

The provincial government is proposing to restrict eligibility of the first-time home buyer rebate to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, effective January 1, 2017. As a transitional measure, purchasers who entered into agreements of purchase and sale on or before November 14, 2016 would remain eligible for the refund, regardless of citizenship or residency status.