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.
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.
NS Deed Transfer Tax by Home Price (Halifax 1.5%)
| Purchase Price | Halifax DTT (1.5%) | 1.0% Municipality | 0.5% Municipality |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $3,750 | $2,500 | $1,250 |
| $350,000 | $5,250 | $3,500 | $1,750 |
| $400,000 | $6,000 | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| $500,000 | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| $600,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| $800,000 | $12,000 | $8,000 | $4,000 |
Major Nova Scotia Municipalities and Rates
| Municipality | DTT Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax Regional Municipality | 1.5% | Includes Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville |
| Cape Breton Regional Municipality | 1.5% | Includes Sydney |
| Truro | 1.0% | |
| New Glasgow | 1.0% | |
| Amherst | 1.0% | |
| Bridgewater | 1.0% | |
| Kentville | 1.0% | |
| Rural NS (unincorporated) | 0.5% | Provincial rate for unincorporated areas |
Always confirm the applicable rate with your lawyer or the local municipality before closing.
NS vs Other Atlantic Provinces
| Province | Transfer Tax Rate | Tax on $400K | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland | 0.4% | $1,600 | Lowest in Atlantic Canada |
| New Brunswick | 1% of assessed | ~$3,800 | Based on assessed value |
| PEI | 1% | $4,000 | FTB exemption under $200K |
| Nova Scotia (Halifax) | 1.5% | $6,000 | Highest DTT in Atlantic Canada |
Halifax has the highest deed transfer tax rate in Atlantic Canada. This is an important factor to budget for when buying in the HRM.
Total Closing Costs in Nova Scotia (Halifax)
| Closing Cost | Estimated Amount ($400K home) |
|---|---|
| Deed Transfer Tax (Halifax, 1.5%) | $6,000 |
| Legal fees | $1,200–$1,800 |
| Title insurance | $200–$350 |
| Home inspection | $400–$600 |
| Property tax adjustment | $800–$2,000 |
| Moving expenses | $500–$2,000 |
| Total estimated closing costs | $9,100–$12,750 |
In Halifax, budget approximately 2.5%–3.5% of the purchase price for closing costs — higher than most Atlantic provinces due to the 1.5% DTT rate.