Short answer: No, Alberta has no land transfer tax. You pay two small land titles registration fees instead: $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of the purchase price for the transfer of land, and $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of the mortgage for the mortgage registration. On a $550,000 home with a $440,000 mortgage that’s about $1,090 total, compared with roughly $7,475 of land transfer tax in Ontario.
Try the Alberta land titles fee calculator.
How the Fees Work
When you buy, your lawyer registers the transfer with the Land Titles Office. That triggers:
- Transfer of land registration fee: on every purchase, based on the price.
- Mortgage registration fee: only if you have a mortgage, based on the mortgage amount.
The Formula
$50 plus $5 for every $5,000 or portion of $5,000. Amounts round up: $502,000 counts as 101 units of $5,000, not 100.4.
Worked Example
$550,000 price, 20% down, $440,000 mortgage.
| Fee | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer of land | $50 + ($5 × 110) | $600 |
| Mortgage registration | $50 + ($5 × 88) | $490 |
| Total | $1,090 |
Alberta vs Provinces With a Land Transfer Tax
| Alberta | Provinces with LTT | |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage based tax | None | 0.5% to 2.5% or more |
| Cost on a $500,000 home | About $950 with a mortgage | $6,000 to $8,000 or more |
| First time buyer rebate | Not needed | Some provinces |
| Investor surcharge | None | Some provinces |
Who This Matters To
- First time buyers: more of your savings goes to the down payment.
- Investors: no brackets or surcharges.
- People moving from Ontario or BC: a pleasant surprise at closing.
Other Things to Know
- A cash purchase pays only the transfer fee.
- Properties with more than one title pay a fee per title.
- Land titles fees are one time. Property tax is annual and separate.
- GST applies only to new or substantially renovated homes. See the GST new housing rebate guide.
→ Related: Closing Costs in Alberta
Frequently asked questions
Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?
No. Alberta charges flat formula land titles registration fees instead of a percentage based land transfer tax.
How much are Alberta land titles fees?
$50 plus $5 for every $5,000 (or part of $5,000) of the purchase price for the transfer of land, plus the same formula on the mortgage amount for the mortgage registration.
Are there first time buyer rebates on Alberta land titles fees?
No, because there's no land transfer tax to rebate. The fees are the same for everyone.
Do investors pay more in Alberta?
No. The fees are the same for first time buyers, homeowners and investors.
Can land titles fees go in my mortgage?
Generally no. They're paid as closing costs through your lawyer.
Do I pay land titles fees when I refinance?
You pay the mortgage registration fee on the new mortgage. There's no transfer of land fee because ownership doesn't change.
How does Alberta compare to Ontario?
On a $500,000 home, Ontario's land transfer tax is about $6,475. Alberta's transfer fee is about $550 plus the mortgage registration fee.
This article is general information, not personal financial advice. Rates, rules and programs change. Talk to a licensed mortgage broker about your situation. Lacroix Mortgage Group is licensed through Mortgage Connection Inc.