Additional Property Transfer Tax to Foreign Buyers – effective August 2, 2016 (Updated: 2026)

This article describes the introduction of the additional PTT for foreign entities in the GVRD. The tax has since been expanded to other areas and rates may have changed; see current BC government guidance for up-to-date rules.

Additional Property Transfer Tax on Residential Property Transfers to Foreign Entities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District

Effective August 2, 2016, an additional property transfer tax began to apply to residential property transfers to foreign entities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (including Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley City and Township, Lion’s Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver City and District, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, White Rock and Electoral Area A). The additional tax does not apply to properties located on Tsawwassen First Nation lands.

The additional tax applies on all applicable transfers registered with the Land Title Office on or after August 2, 2016, regardless of when the contract of purchase and sale was entered into.

For current rules, rates, and geographic coverage, visit the BC government’s property transfer tax and additional PTT for foreign entities pages.

This post has been prepared for general information purposes. It is not advice. The information presented may not fit your unique situation. Please consult one of our trusted business advisors at RHN CPA for further clarification and interpretation of your circumstances.