Does Newfoundland and Labrador have land transfer tax?

No, Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a land transfer tax. Instead, NL charges a registration of deeds fee which consists of a flat $100 base fee plus $0.40 for every $100 of the property value over $500. These fees are not based on a percentage of the property value like most other provinces.

How much are Newfoundland registration of deeds fees?

The fees consist of a $100 base fee plus $0.40 per $100 of property value over $500. For a $300,000 home, the fee would be approximately $1,298. A similar fee applies for mortgage registration.

Is there a first-time homebuyer exemption in NL?

Newfoundland and Labrador does not offer a first-time homebuyer exemption for registration of deeds fees. However, first-time buyers may benefit from federal programs like the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) and the First Home Savings Account (FHSA).

When are NL registration fees paid?

Registration of deeds fees are paid when the deed is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador Registry of Deeds. Your lawyer typically handles this as part of the closing process.

Newfoundland and Labrador Land Transfer Tax Calculator

Calculate the registration of deeds fees for your home purchase in Newfoundland and Labrador. NL does not charge a land transfer tax — instead, there is a registration of deeds fee based on the property value.

Registration Fees

Newfoundland and Labrador Fee Schedule

Newfoundland and Labrador does not charge a land transfer tax. Instead, the Registration of Deeds Act requires the following fees:

Registration of Deeds Fee (Property)

Component	Amount
Base fee	$100
Variable fee	$0.40 per $100 of value over $500

Registration of Deeds Fee (Mortgage)

The same fee structure applies for mortgage registration:

Component	Amount
Base fee	$100
Variable fee	$0.40 per $100 of mortgage amount over $500

Properties or mortgages under $500 are charged only the flat $100 fee.

How to Calculate NL Registration Fees

Example: For a $300,000 home with a $240,000 mortgage:

Property Registration Fee:

Base fee: $100
Variable: ($300,000 - $500) / $100 x $0.40 = $1,198
Total property fee: $1,298

Mortgage Registration Fee:

Base fee: $100
Variable: ($240,000 - $500) / $100 x $0.40 = $958
Total mortgage fee: $1,058

Total NL Registration Fees: $1,298 + $1,058 = $2,356

NL vs Other Provinces

While Newfoundland and Labrador’s fees are higher than Alberta or Saskatchewan, they are still lower than the land transfer taxes in most other provinces:

Province	Cost on $300,000 Home
Newfoundland & Labrador	~$2,356 (fees)
Ontario	$2,975 (LTT)
BC	$4,000 (PTT)
Saskatchewan	~$1,060 (fees)

First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador does not offer a provincial first-time homebuyer exemption for registration of deeds fees. However, first-time buyers can take advantage of several federal programs to help offset the cost of purchasing a home:

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP): Withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP tax-free for a first home purchase
First Home Savings Account (FHSA): Save up to $40,000 tax-free for your first home
Home Buyers’ Tax Credit: Federal non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,500

Other Closing Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador

Registration of deeds fees are only one part of the total closing costs when buying a home in Newfoundland and Labrador. Other expenses to plan for include legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection, property tax adjustments, and mortgage default insurance if your down payment is below 20%. Use our closing costs calculator to estimate all your buying costs, and our mortgage calculator to determine your monthly payments.

Land Transfer Tax in Other Provinces

Land transfer tax rates and rules vary across Canada. See our Land Transfer Tax Calculator for a complete comparison of rates in all provinces and territories.