Land Transfer Tax in Alberta: How Much Will You Pay?
Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax — instead, buyers pay flat Land Title Registration Fees that typically total $500–$2,000 even on a million-dollar property. The formula, effective October 20, 2024, is $50 base fee plus $5 for every $5,000 of property value (or portion thereof) for the title transfer, and the same $50 plus $5 per $5,000 for the mortgage registration. On a $500,000 purchase with a $400,000 mortgage, total registration fees come to $1,000 — compared to approximately $12,950 in combined land transfer taxes for the same home in Toronto. This guide explains exactly how Alberta's registration fees work, with worked examples at common Calgary and Edmonton price points.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Land title fees are calculated and remitted by your real estate lawyer at closing. Confirm exact amounts with your lawyer before closing.
Alberta Has No Land Transfer Tax — Here Is What It Charges Instead
Alberta is one of only two provinces in Canada — along with Saskatchewan — that does not levy a percentage-based land transfer tax on residential property purchases. Instead, the Alberta Land Titles Office charges two flat registration fees on every home purchase: one to transfer the title into your name, and one to register the mortgage (if you have one).
Both fees use the same formula, effective October 20, 2024, per Alberta Budget 2024:
- Title Transfer Fee: $50 base fee + $5 for every $5,000 of property value (or portion thereof)
- Mortgage Registration Fee: $50 base fee + $5 for every $5,000 of mortgage amount (or portion thereof)
Note: The "or portion thereof" rounding rule means the calculation always rounds up to the next $5,000 increment. A $501,000 property is treated as $505,000 for fee calculation purposes.
There are no first-time buyer rebates in Alberta, because there is no land transfer tax to rebate. The low registration fees apply equally to all buyers — first-time or repeat, residential or investor.
Alberta Land Title Registration Fees: Worked Examples
The table below shows the title transfer fee, mortgage registration fee, and combined total at common Alberta property price points, using the formula effective October 20, 2024.
| Purchase Price | Mortgage Amount (80%) | Title Transfer Fee | Mortgage Registration Fee | Total Registration Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $160,000 | $50 + (40 × $5) = $250 | $50 + (32 × $5) = $210 | $460 |
| $300,000 | $240,000 | $50 + (60 × $5) = $350 | $50 + (48 × $5) = $290 | $640 |
| $432,200 (Edmonton HPI) | $345,760 | $50 + (87 × $5) = $485 | $50 + (70 × $5) = $400 | $885 |
| $500,000 | $400,000 | $50 + (100 × $5) = $550 | $50 + (80 × $5) = $450 | $1,000 |
| $665,695 (Calgary avg.) | $532,556 | $50 + (134 × $5) = $720 | $50 + (107 × $5) = $585 | $1,305 |
| $1,000,000 | $800,000 | $50 + (200 × $5) = $1,050 | $50 + (160 × $5) = $850 | $1,900 |
Mortgage amount assumes 80% loan-to-value (20% down payment) for illustration. For purchases with less than 20% down, the mortgage amount and corresponding registration fee will be higher. All figures are estimates based on the Alberta Land Titles fee schedule effective October 20, 2024, as confirmed by Alberta.ca, LoonieCalc (verified April 29, 2026), and Deeded (updated April 2026). Your lawyer calculates and remits the exact fees at closing.
How Alberta Compares to Other Provinces
Alberta's registration fees are dramatically lower than the land transfer taxes charged in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec — the savings on a typical home purchase range from $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on the purchase price and province.
| Province | Tax/Fee Type | On a $500,000 Purchase | On a $1,000,000 Purchase | First-Time Buyer Rebate? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Flat registration fees only (no LTT) | ~$1,000 | ~$1,900 | No — no tax to rebate |
| Saskatchewan | Flat registration fees only (no LTT) | ~$900 | ~$1,700 | No |
| Manitoba | Land Transfer Tax (0.5%–2%) | ~$6,650 | ~$16,650 | Yes — up to $4,500 |
| Ontario | Provincial LTT (0.5%–2.5%) | ~$6,475 | ~$16,475 | Yes — up to $4,000 provincial |
| Ontario (Toronto) | Provincial + Municipal LTT | ~$12,950 | ~$32,950 | Yes — up to $8,475 combined |
| British Columbia | Property Transfer Tax (1%–5%) | ~$8,000 | ~$18,000 | Yes — up to $8,000 |
| Quebec | Welcome Tax (0.5%–3%) | ~$5,000 | ~$11,000 | Some municipalities only |
Ontario, BC, and Quebec figures are approximate calculations based on published 2026 rate schedules for each province. Toronto figures include both provincial and municipal land transfer taxes. First-time buyer rebate amounts reflect current maximums but eligibility conditions vary — confirm with the relevant provincial authority. This comparison is for general reference, not legal advice.
What Changed in October 2024 — and Why It Matters
Alberta's registration fees approximately doubled effective October 20, 2024, under Alberta Budget 2024's Land Titles Registration Levy. Before that date, the title transfer fee was $50 + $2 per $5,000, and the mortgage registration fee was $50 + $1.50 per $5,000. Both increased to $50 + $5 per $5,000 under the new formula.
In dollar terms, this means a buyer of a $500,000 home with an $400,000 mortgage now pays $1,000 in registration fees instead of the previous $420 — an increase of $580. While this is a meaningful jump from the old fees, it is still dramatically lower than land transfer taxes in other provinces. The new fees apply to all registrations from October 20, 2024 onward; any guides or blog posts using the old formula ($2/$5,000 and $1.50/$5,000) are out of date.
Other Closing Costs to Budget for in Alberta
Alberta's low registration fees are just one part of your closing cost picture. Budget for the following additional items on a typical Alberta home purchase:
- Legal fees: $1,100–$1,800 for a standard residential purchase in Calgary or Edmonton. Your lawyer handles all Land Titles registrations, the mortgage drawdown, and title search.
- Title insurance: $200–$400 for a residential property. Protects against title defects, survey issues, and fraud that aren't caught by the title search.
- Home inspection: $400–$600 for a standard inspection in Calgary or Edmonton. Not legally required in Alberta but strongly recommended for any resale home.
- CMHC mortgage default insurance: Required if your down payment is less than 20%. The premium is 2.80%–4.00% of the insured mortgage amount, added to the mortgage balance — not paid in cash at closing. Use our CMHC Insurance Calculator to estimate your premium.
- Property tax adjustment: At closing, you reimburse the seller for any prepaid property taxes covering the period after your possession date. This varies by possession date and municipality.
- GST on new construction: Alberta has no provincial sales tax, but federal GST (5%) applies to new construction purchases. The First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate (up to $50,000, Royal Assent March 12, 2026) can offset this for eligible first-time buyers of new homes priced below $1.5 million.
In total, Alberta closing costs typically run 1.5%–3% of the purchase price, compared to 3%–5% in Ontario or BC where land transfer taxes are significant. Use our Affordability Calculator to model your full upfront costs, or our Mortgage Calculator to estimate monthly payments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Land Transfer Tax in Alberta
Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?
No. Alberta does not charge a land transfer tax. Instead, buyers pay flat Land Title Registration Fees to the Alberta Land Titles Office — a $50 base fee plus $5 for every $5,000 of property value for the title transfer, and the same formula for the mortgage registration. On a $500,000 purchase with a $400,000 mortgage, total fees are approximately $1,000. This is one of the lowest property transfer cost structures in Canada.
How much are land title registration fees in Alberta?
Using the formula effective October 20, 2024: the title transfer fee is $50 + ($5 × the number of $5,000 increments in the purchase price, rounded up). The mortgage registration fee uses the same formula applied to the mortgage amount. On a typical Calgary home ($665,695) with a $532,556 mortgage, total registration fees come to approximately $1,305. On an Edmonton benchmark-priced home ($432,200) with a $345,760 mortgage, total fees are approximately $885. Your lawyer calculates and remits the exact amounts at closing.
Is there a first-time buyer land transfer tax rebate in Alberta?
No. Alberta does not offer first-time buyer rebates on land title registration fees, because there is no land transfer tax to rebate. The modest flat registration fees apply equally to all buyers. First-time buyers in Alberta can instead access federal programs — the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), and First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate — which provide meaningful savings on other parts of the purchase. See our First-Time Homebuyer Guide for Calgary or Edmonton for full details.
Did Alberta's land title fees increase recently?
Yes. Effective October 20, 2024, Alberta Budget 2024's Land Titles Registration Levy approximately doubled registration fees. The title transfer fee increased from $50 + $2 per $5,000 to $50 + $5 per $5,000. The mortgage registration fee increased from $50 + $1.50 per $5,000 to $50 + $5 per $5,000. For a $500,000 purchase with a $400,000 mortgage, this means paying $1,000 in fees rather than the previous $420. Any resource using the old formula is out of date.
How much do I save in Alberta versus buying in Ontario or BC?
The savings are substantial and increase with property price. On a $500,000 purchase, an Alberta buyer pays approximately $1,000 in registration fees versus $6,475 in Ontario provincial land transfer tax (or $12,950 combined provincial and municipal in Toronto) — a saving of roughly $5,500–$12,000. On a $1,000,000 purchase, the saving versus Toronto reaches approximately $31,000. These savings are automatic and require no application or program eligibility.
More Resources for Alberta Homebuyers
To understand the full picture of buying costs in Alberta, see our first-time homebuyer guides for Calgary and Edmonton. To compare land transfer taxes across provinces, see our guides to land transfer tax in Ontario and land transfer tax in British Columbia. Use our Affordability Calculator to model your full upfront costs in Alberta.