NEW 2016 BC Property Transfer TAX Rules - EXPLAINED
(February 23, 2016
)
Here it is folks, the definitive explanation of the BC Property Transfer Tax Changes.
NEW Property Tax Rules - ANSWERS
The following is a BCHH Update on the New PPT Rules!
A quick update below on the recent changes to the latest budget regarding the PTT:
1. How do these changes affect first time buyer exemptions?
First time home buyer exemption limits have NOT changed.
2. If a buyer purchases a home worth $770,000 is there a partial exemption?
The following is a BCHH Update on the New PPT Rules!
A quick update below on the recent changes to the latest budget regarding the PTT:
1. How do these changes affect first time buyer exemptions?
First time home buyer exemption limits have NOT changed.
2. If a buyer purchases a home worth $770,000 is there a partial exemption?
All buyers (whether first time buyers or not) no longer pay PTT on purchases of NEW homes up to $750,000
in value; note a buyer must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident; there is a partial exemption
for homes between $750,000.00 and $800,000.00;
3. How does the 3% tax get applied?
PTT has changed so that there is now a 3% tax on amounts over $2,000,000.00. The 3% tax is ONLY paid
3. How does the 3% tax get applied?
PTT has changed so that there is now a 3% tax on amounts over $2,000,000.00. The 3% tax is ONLY paid
on the amount over $2,000,000.00, not the full price.
4. When are these changes effective?
These changes are effective on all deals closing now and going forward.
5. How is the government going to monitor the 1 year occupancy detail?
As with the FTHB exemption, the Ministry will send a letter to the purchaser at the end of the year to
4. When are these changes effective?
These changes are effective on all deals closing now and going forward.
5. How is the government going to monitor the 1 year occupancy detail?
As with the FTHB exemption, the Ministry will send a letter to the purchaser at the end of the year to
(not new) property, do you still pay
13. How does this "equal to or smaller than.5 hectare" rule work with attached properties?
The attached property must be equal to or less than .5 hectacres; this is not usually an issue with
If they are strata's the Property Transfer Tax is based on individual units and their values. There will be
Property Purchase Tax?
YES, the $475,000 limit remains the same for first time home
YES, the $475,000 limit remains the same for first time home
buyer’s first property purchase. The first
time home buyer's exemption values remain as they were.
7. How do these recent changes apply for sales/contracts already
7. How do these recent changes apply for sales/contracts already
in place that have not completed yet?
The new amendments to the Property Transfer Tax Act deal
The new amendments to the Property Transfer Tax Act deal
only with the registration date and not the date
of the contract.
8. For the New Housing Exemption of $750,000, is there any portion over $750,000 subject to 1%, or does it
8. For the New Housing Exemption of $750,000, is there any portion over $750,000 subject to 1%, or does it
start at 2% on the portion over $750,000 – much like the first time home buyer exemption?
A partial exemption is available where the fair market value is over $750,000 but less than $800,000. If
A partial exemption is available where the fair market value is over $750,000 but less than $800,000. If
the price is $800,000 or more, Property Transfer Tax is payable on the entire price. So if the price is
$801,000, Property Transfer Tax applies on the entire amount, not just the last $1,000.
9. Does this apply to commercial property purchases?
YES it does! This is significant, as many commercial/industrial/office buildings are valued quite high. There
9. Does this apply to commercial property purchases?
YES it does! This is significant, as many commercial/industrial/office buildings are valued quite high. There
is a 3% tax on the value over $2,000,000.00 on these buildings.
10. Is the exemption based on the pre-GST or net purchase price, or the purchase price including GST?
Your real estate lawyer will back out the GST from the price so that Property Transfer Tax is calculated
10. Is the exemption based on the pre-GST or net purchase price, or the purchase price including GST?
Your real estate lawyer will back out the GST from the price so that Property Transfer Tax is calculated
on the net price, which must be under $750,000 for the full exemption.
11. Can a Buyer qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Exemption or the New Housing Exemption even if
11. Can a Buyer qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Exemption or the New Housing Exemption even if
they move here from another province?
The First Time Home Buyer Exemption applies if the Buyer is either a Canadian citizen or
The First Time Home Buyer Exemption applies if the Buyer is either a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident AND have lived in B.C. for 12 consecutive months immediately before the date they
take ownership of the property, or they have filed at least 2 income tax returns as a B.C. resident in the
last 6 years. For the New Housing Exemption the Buyer must be an individual and either a Canadian
citizen or permanent resident.
Note the difference, for the First Time Home Buyer Exemption
there is a residency in B.C. requirement
but not for the New Housing Exemption.
12. Does the New Housing Property Transfer Tax Exemption
12. Does the New Housing Property Transfer Tax Exemption
apply to all real estate purchases whether they
are principal residence or investment?
These exemptions ONLY apply to principal residence; full
These exemptions ONLY apply to principal residence; full
Property Transfer Tax applies to investment properties.
13. How does this "equal to or smaller than.5 hectare" rule work with attached properties?
The attached property must be equal to or less than .5 hectacres; this is not usually an issue with
attached properties.
14. On a property over $2,000,000, is the Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000 and the remaining
14. On a property over $2,000,000, is the Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000 and the remaining
is now 3% instead of 2%?
NO, it is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on values over $200,000 up to $2,000,000, and 3% on any value
NO, it is 1% on the first $200,000, 2% on values over $200,000 up to $2,000,000, and 3% on any value
over $2,000,000. The change applies when the sale reaches $2,000,000 it will be 3% on the value
over $2,000,000.
15. (Example) If I am selling a newly constructed work/live townhouse in the lower mainland. Retail space is on
15. (Example) If I am selling a newly constructed work/live townhouse in the lower mainland. Retail space is on
the main floor, they are separate strata's but sold as one unit. Assuming the buyer is living in the
property do you know if they will get the Property Transfer Tax waived even though the main floor
is retail space?
If they are strata's the Property Transfer Tax is based on individual units and their values. There will be
an exemption for the townhouse that is a principal residence, but not on the retail portion.
12. Is the below calculation correct with the new rules?
Yes! See the following example:
PTT amount x ($800,000 - purchase price)
$50,000 (the dif. between $800K and $750) = X
Then:
PTT amount - X = Partial exemption amount
So the following would apply on a $759,900 Sale Price:
$13,198 x ($800,000 - $759,900)
$50,000 = $10,584.40 (savings)
$13,198 - $10,584.40 = $2,613.60 partial exemption amount
12. Is the below calculation correct with the new rules?
Yes! See the following example:
PTT amount x ($800,000 - purchase price)
$50,000 (the dif. between $800K and $750) = X
Then:
PTT amount - X = Partial exemption amount
So the following would apply on a $759,900 Sale Price:
$13,198 x ($800,000 - $759,900)
$50,000 = $10,584.40 (savings)
$13,198 - $10,584.40 = $2,613.60 partial exemption amount
Our team of real estate experts at The BC Home Hunter Group hope we have answered at least some of
the pressing and immediate questions you might have regading these significant tax changes. If you or anyone you know are considering the purchase or sale of your home or any B.C. real estate don't hesitate to call or text Mandeep, Robert, Kritisha or Vesna anytime 604-767-6736.
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