How much is land transfer tax in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia does not have a provincial land transfer tax. Instead, municipalities charge a Deed Transfer Tax (DTT) that varies from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price depending on the municipality. Halifax charges 1.5%.

What is the Deed Transfer Tax in Halifax?

The Halifax Regional Municipality charges a Deed Transfer Tax of 1.5% on the purchase price of the property. For example, the deed transfer tax on a $400,000 home in Halifax would be $6,000.

Is there a first-time homebuyer exemption in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia does not offer a first-time homebuyer exemption for the Deed Transfer Tax. However, first-time buyers may benefit from federal programs including the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) and the First Home Savings Account (FHSA).

Do all Nova Scotia municipalities charge Deed Transfer Tax?

Most but not all municipalities in Nova Scotia charge a Deed Transfer Tax. The rates vary between 0.5% and 1.5% depending on the municipality. You should check with your local municipality to confirm the applicable rate.

Nova Scotia Land Transfer Tax Calculator (Deed Transfer Tax)

Calculate the Deed Transfer Tax (DTT) on your home purchase in Nova Scotia. Unlike most provinces, Nova Scotia does not have a provincial land transfer tax — instead, individual municipalities set their own Deed Transfer Tax rates, which can range from 0.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price.

Land Transfer Tax

Nova Scotia Deed Transfer Tax Rates

Nova Scotia does not administer a provincial land transfer tax. Instead, municipalities are authorized to charge a Deed Transfer Tax (DTT) on property transfers. The calculator above uses the Halifax rate of 1.5%.

Common Municipal Rates

Municipality	Deed Transfer Tax Rate
Halifax Regional Municipality	1.5%
Cape Breton Regional Municipality	1.5%
Other municipalities	0.5% to 1.5%

Rates vary by municipality — check with your local municipal office for the exact rate in your area.

How to Calculate Nova Scotia Deed Transfer Tax

The calculation is straightforward — multiply the purchase price by your municipality’s DTT rate.

Example (Halifax): For a $400,000 home:

$400,000 x 1.5% = $6,000

Example (0.5% municipality): For a $400,000 home:

$400,000 x 0.5% = $2,000

First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Nova Scotia does not currently offer a first-time homebuyer exemption for the Deed Transfer Tax. First-time buyers can take advantage of federal programs including:

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 Nova Scotia

The Deed Transfer Tax is one of the larger closing costs in Nova Scotia, especially in municipalities with higher rates like Halifax. Additional expenses include legal fees, title insurance, home inspection fees, property tax adjustments, and mortgage default insurance if your down payment is under 20%. In Halifax, where the DTT rate is 1.5%, buyers should pay special attention to total closing costs when budgeting. Use our closing costs calculator to estimate the full cost of buying a home in Nova Scotia, and our mortgage calculator to plan 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.