Land Transfer Tax in Aurora | 2026 Rates, Who Pays and When

by Jonathan Colford

Aurora Buyer Guide

Land Transfer Tax in Aurora | 2026 Rates, Who Pays and When

Buying a home in Aurora? Here is what land transfer tax costs at Aurora prices, why there is no extra municipal tax, who pays, when it is due and how first-time buyers can get money back.

Jonathan Colford | Sales Representative | eXp Realty Brokerage

Local insight from Jonathan Colford, York Region Real Estate Agent.

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A typical Aurora home purchase is subject to Ontario land transfer tax, without an additional municipal land transfer tax. Other taxes, including non-resident speculation tax where applicable, and other closing costs must be considered separately. Aurora is in York Region, and York Region municipalities do not charge a municipal land transfer tax the way the City of Toronto does. The tax is based on the purchase price, the buyer pays it, and it is collected by your lawyer on closing day. Aurora buyers often compare it with Newmarket and Richmond Hill, so the tax is a fair way to see the real cost of each move.

Municipal tax

None in Aurora

Aurora does not add a municipal land transfer tax. Ask your lawyer whether other taxes apply to your purchase.

Who pays

The buyer

The seller does not pay land transfer tax. It is part of your closing costs.

When and how

Closing day, through your lawyer

Your lawyer collects the funds and pays the tax during electronic registration.

How land transfer tax is calculated on an Aurora home

Ontario land transfer tax is marginal, so each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside that bracket. For a home with one or two single family residences the rates are 0.5 percent up to $55,000, 1 percent from $55,000 to $250,000, 1.5 percent from $250,000 to $400,000, 2 percent from $400,000 to $2,000,000 and 2.5 percent above $2,000,000. For a full walkthrough of the formula, see the official Ontario calculation guide.

Land transfer tax examples at Aurora price points

Aurora detached homes and townhomes sit across a wide range, so the table covers common price points from $600,000 to $2,000,000. These are estimates before any refund and assume the buyer is not subject to the non-resident speculation tax.

Purchase price	Ontario tax	After maximum first-time buyer refund
$600,000	$8,475	$4,475
$800,000	$12,475	$8,475
$1,000,000	$16,475	$12,475
$1,250,000	$21,475	$17,475
$1,500,000	$26,475	$22,475
$2,000,000	$36,475	$32,475

The first-time buyer column assumes the buyer qualifies for the full refund of up to $4,000. Eligibility rules apply, so confirm with your lawyer.

No municipal land transfer tax in Aurora

Toronto adds Municipal Land Transfer Tax to the provincial tax. Aurora does not. On an illustrative $1,000,000 residential purchase, the combined base land transfer taxes are $32,950 in Toronto versus $16,475 in Aurora, before refunds, additional taxes or other costs. The Toronto comparison varies by price and property type; it is not always double. If you are weighing a move out of the city, our guide to condo versus freehold in York Region helps with the home type decision.

The buyer pays, and it is due on closing day

The buyer pays land transfer tax. Before closing, your lawyer confirms the funds required, payment method and deadline. For a typical registered purchase, the tax is paid through electronic registration. Budget for land transfer tax separately from your down payment; do not assume the purchase mortgage will cover it. Confirm any proposed source of closing funds with your lender and lawyer. Read our mortgage pre-approval guide to plan the full cash requirement.

First-time buyers in Aurora can get back up to $4,000

Eligible first-time buyers can claim a refund of up to $4,000 of Ontario land transfer tax. That fully covers the tax on a home up to about $368,000 and reduces it by $4,000 on anything higher. You generally must never have owned a home anywhere in the world and must occupy the home within the required time. Your lawyer can claim an eligible refund at registration, or advise on applying afterward within the required deadline. Eligibility also depends on age, residency status, occupancy, ownership history and applicable spouse rules. See our first-time home buyer guide for York Region and the official Ontario refund page.

What else to budget for besides land transfer tax

Plan for legal fees and disbursements, title insurance, adjustments for prepaid property taxes and utilities, a home inspection, an appraisal if your lender requires one, and moving costs. Aurora buyers who plan to renovate older homes near the historic downtown should also hold a cash reserve for repairs. Sellers face their own costs, outlined in our Ontario seller closing costs guide.

Questions to ask your lawyer before closing

Ask whether you qualify for the first-time buyer refund, what funds to deliver and by what date, whether any non-resident speculation tax could apply, and what other adjustments will appear on the statement. For help estimating your numbers before you make an offer in Aurora, contact Jonathan or start with the buyer planning page.

Frequently asked questions

Do you pay land transfer tax when buying in Aurora?

Yes. Buyers pay Ontario land transfer tax on a purchase in Aurora. There is no additional municipal tax.

Does Aurora have a municipal land transfer tax?

No. York Region municipalities, including Aurora, do not charge a municipal land transfer tax. Only the City of Toronto does.

How much is land transfer tax on a $1,000,000 home in Aurora?

About $16,475 before any first-time buyer refund.

Who pays land transfer tax, the buyer or the seller?

The buyer pays. The seller does not.

When is land transfer tax due and how is it paid?

It is due on closing day. Your lawyer collects the funds from you in advance and pays the tax during electronic registration.

Can first-time buyers get land transfer tax back?

Eligible first-time buyers can claim a refund of up to $4,000 of Ontario land transfer tax.

Can I add land transfer tax to my mortgage?

Budget for this as a separate closing cost. Do not assume your purchase mortgage covers it. Confirm permitted funding arrangements with your lender and lawyer.

Official resources

Tax rules, refunds and eligibility can change. Use official sources and obtain legal advice before signing.

Ontario: Land transfer tax Ontario: Calculating land transfer tax Ontario: First-time homebuyer refund Ontario: Non-resident speculation tax City of Toronto: Municipal land transfer tax (for comparison)

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rates, refunds and eligibility rules change, so confirm your numbers with your real estate lawyer and the official sources above before you buy.