Increasing the NRST

As of October 25, 2022, the NRST rate will be increased from 20% to 25% and continues to apply to all regions of the province. The NRST applies to the transfer of “designated land”, which is considered land that contains at least one and no more than six single-family residences.

Back in March, the government raised the NRST from 15% to 20%. The new increase to 25% makes this the highest provincial tax in Canada that exists to deter foreign speculation in the housing market.
 

How the NRST is Applied

The NRST will continue to apply to individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada or by foreign corporations or taxable trustees.

Note: The NRST applies if any one of the transferees is a foreign entity or taxable trustee, regardless of their share of ownership. For example, if a transfer of residential property is made to four transferees, only one of which is a foreign entity, the NRST would apply to 100 percent of the value of the property.

Certain individuals will continue to be exempt from the NRST, including foreign nationals in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, protected persons (refugees), spouses of Canadian citizens, or permanent residents of Canada.

Increasing the tax rate to 25% is an attempt by the Government of Ontario to further deter non-resident investors from speculating in the housing market in hopes that home ownership will become more attainable for Ontario residents.

The tax applies to all transfers of residential property that contains at least one and not more than six single-family residences. This includes detached homes, semi-detached, triplexes, duplexes, townhouses, and condominium units. It does not matter whether a single-family actually resides there nor whether the property is rented or occupied by the owner; it remains taxable so long as it was designed for occupancy as the residence of a family.

The NRST does not apply to other types of land such as land containing multi-residential rental apartment buildings with more than six units, agricultural land, commercial land, or industrial land.

Is the NRST payable on top of the Land Transfer Tax?

While the NRST is imposed by the Land Transfer Tax Act and administered through the same mechanisms, the NRST, if applicable, is an additional tax that is payable above and beyond the normal Land Transfer Tax by your client.