Housing for Nova Scotia residents needs to be more attainable and available. Nova Scotia is creating a provincial deed transfer tax for property purchased by non-residents of Nova Scotia. This deed transfer tax of five per cent will be assessed from April 1, 2022. All purchasers of residential properties who are residents of Nova Scotia are exempt from the deed transfer tax. If someone is planning to move to Nova Scotia to live and buys a home, they will be exempt from the deed transfer tax – usually within six months. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the Financial Measures Act 2022. Further details will be shared in due course. 

Click here for the Government of Nova Scotia webpage.

Q&A: New Provincial Taxes

Who do these taxes apply to?
These taxes apply to people who do not live in Nova Scotia but own or buy property here.

When are these taxes being implemented?
These taxes are being implemented today, April 1, 2022.

Are these taxes in addition to municipal taxes?
Yes.

The provincial Deed Transfer Tax for Non-residents is not related to the municipal deed transfer tax.  It is a separate, additional tax of 5 per cent.

Are there exemptions to these taxes?
Yes.

The Deed Transfer Tax for Non-residents will not apply to transactions where the Agreement of Purchase and Sale was entered into prior to April 1, 2022. Non-resident purchasers who move to the province within 6 months of the closing date will be exempt.

Do these taxes apply to vacant land?
Yes. These taxes apply to vacant land that is zoned residential.

Tax Exemptions

The PDTT does not apply on residential property at the time of a deed transfer in the following
circumstances:
1. Agreements of Purchase and Sale entered into before April 1, 2022.
2. Property consisting of more than 3 dwelling units.
3. Property being transferred where 50% or more of the ownership interest is held by residents
of Nova Scotia.
4. Property being transferred to non-resident individual(s) who intend to become residents of
Nova Scotia within 6 months of the closing date (i.e. the date the property was transferred).
More details can be found in the section on “Non-Residents Moving to Nova Scotia”.
5. Property being transferred between spouses/common law partners.
6. Property being transferred between former spouses/common law partners (if the purpose of
the transfer is to divide marital or jointly held assets).
7. The property is being transferred to a foreclosing mortgagee.
8. Property being transferred from an executor to an eligible beneficiary under a will.
An eligible beneficiary is a spouse, common-law spouse, child, grandchild, parent or sibling of
the testator or a child or grandchild of the testator’s spouse or common-law spouse.
9. Property being transferred from an administrator of an estate to a person entitled to the
estate under the Intestate Succession Act or the intestacy laws of another jurisdiction.
The PDTT does not apply on residential property at the time of a deed transfer in the following
circumstances: