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AskRajiv.ca

September 7, 2026

Can I claim Ontario’s first-time-buyer land-transfer-tax refund if my spouse owned a home?

It depends on when your spouse owned the home and whether you occupied it together while married or common-law. Being off title does not automatically preserve the refund.

September 7, 2026

Does Ontario’s first-time homebuyer refund eliminate land transfer tax?

Not always. Ontario’s first-time-homebuyer land-transfer-tax refund is capped at $4,000. It can eliminate provincial land transfer tax on a lower-priced home, but a buyer owes any amount above the refund.

September 7, 2026

How much Ontario land transfer tax should I budget before closing?

Ontario land transfer tax is calculated using graduated rates on the value of consideration. Your lawyer normally collects it at closing, and it is generally cash required in addition to the down payment.

September 7, 2026

Can a major renovation make an older home “new” for GST/HST purposes?

Yes, potentially. CRA generally describes a substantial renovation as removing or replacing 90% or more of the interior that existed immediately before renovation, subject to detailed measurement and exclusion rules.

September 7, 2026

Is GST/HST charged when I buy a resale home in Ontario?

A typical used owner-occupied home sold by an individual is usually exempt from GST/HST, but the result can change for builders, business transactions, substantial renovations, short-term rentals or mixed-use property.

September 7, 2026

Is an Ontario Non-Resident Speculation Tax exemption or rebate automatic?

No. Ontario NRST exemptions and rebates have specific purchaser, spouse, immigration, occupancy, registration, documentation and deadline conditions. Expecting future status does not by itself remove tax at closing.

September 7, 2026

Can a foreign buyer in Toronto face both Ontario NRST and Toronto MNRST?

Yes. Toronto’s 10% Municipal Non-Resident Speculation Tax can apply in addition to Toronto MLTT and Ontario’s 25% NRST when the purchaser and property fall within the respective rules.

September 7, 2026

What changed for Toronto land transfer tax on high-value homes in April 2026?

Toronto introduced higher graduated MLTT rates effective April 1, 2026 on portions above $3 million for residential property containing one or two single-family residences.

September 7, 2026

How much is Toronto’s first-time-buyer Municipal Land Transfer Tax rebate?

Toronto’s eligible first-time-purchase rebate is up to $4,475 for qualifying new or resale residential property. It is separate from Ontario’s maximum $4,000 refund.