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Rule
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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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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.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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No. A sale does not automatically end a tenancy. Vacant possession depends on the agreement, the tenancy, a valid legal ground and completion of the required process.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 7, 2026
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