Buying a home in Manitoba: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
Land transfer tax or registration fees in Manitoba, worked examples, first-time buyer relief, federal help (FHSA, HBP) and down payment rules.
The big picture: what buying costs beyond the price
Buying a home involves a down payment, closing costs and then your mortgage payments. Closing costs are paid on the day you take possession and usually include a land transfer tax (or registration fees), your lawyer or notary, title insurance, adjustments for property taxes and utilities already paid by the seller, and a home inspection if you ordered one. Plan for them in cash: they cannot be added to a regular mortgage.
Land transfer tax and fees in Manitoba
Manitoba charges a land transfer tax on the fair market value of the property when the title is registered, plus a registration fee at the land titles office (Teranet Manitoba).
| Part of the price | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | 0% |
| Over $30,000 up to $90,000 | 0.5% |
| Over $90,000 up to $150,000 | 1% |
| Over $150,000 up to $200,000 | 1.5% |
| Over $200,000 | 2% |
| Purchase price | Tax before relief | First-time buyer relief | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $5,650 | – | $5,650 |
| $600,000 | $9,650 | – | $9,650 |
| $800,000 | $13,650 | – | $13,650 |
Manitoba’s page mentions some exceptions but lists no first-time buyer refund. A 2026 budget measure will extend the tax to transfers of beneficial (unregistered) interests in land from January 1, 2027; the rates stay the same.
Source: Manitoba Finance: Land transfer tax ↗, read on 2026-11-13.
Calculate your own case
Use the land transfer tax calculator with your price, and the mortgage calculator to see your monthly payment.
Federal help for first-time buyers
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA): contributions are deductible like an RRSP and withdrawals to buy a first home are tax-free. You get $8,000 of room in the year you open your first account (lifetime limit $40,000). CRA page ↗
- Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP): withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSPs to buy a home and repay it over time without tax on the withdrawal. CRA page ↗
- First-time home buyers’ GST/HST rebate on new homes: the GST is eliminated on a new home up to $1,000,000 and reduced between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000, saving up to $50,000. It generally applies to agreements of purchase and sale signed on or after March 20, 2025 and before 2031 (Bill C-4, Royal Assent March 12, 2026). Finance Canada ↗
- Home Buyers’ Amount: a non-refundable tax credit based on up to $10,000 (so up to $1,500 of tax) when you buy a qualifying home. CRA page ↗
Down payment and insured mortgages
If you put down less than 20%, your mortgage must be insured (CMHC, Sagen or Canada Guaranty) and the premium is added to the mortgage. The minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 of the price and 10% of the part between $500,000 and $1,500,000; homes above $1,500,000 require 20% down. First-time buyers and buyers of new homes can choose a 30-year amortization on an insured mortgage. The $1,500,000 cap and the 30-year amortization came into force on December 15, 2024 (Finance Canada release below); confirm the current terms with your lender.
Source: Finance Canada: mortgage reforms in force December 15, 2024 ↗, read on 2026-11-13.
Government platforms and next steps
- Open an FHSA at your bank and start saving, if you have not already.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval and calculate your closing costs with the calculators above.
- Hire a lawyer (or notary) before you sign: they check the title, collect the tax and register the deed.
- Claim your federal Home Buyers’ Amount on your next tax return.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Manitoba: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Manitoba: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Manitoba: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Manitoba: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Manitoba: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Manitoba: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Manitoba: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Manitoba: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Manitoba: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Manitoba: child benefits and family programs
- Immigrating to Manitoba: nominee program, steps and processing times