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The Global Insight

Who pays capital gains on inherited property Canada?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on March 08, 2026

Capital gains tax is considered taxable income in Canada and is what you pay on the profit of the sale. You will be taxed on the fair market value at the time you inherited the home/vacation home, until the time you decide to sell. You will be taxed on 50% of the capital gain.

What happens if you inherit a house with a mortgage Canada?

In Canada, the mortgage stays with the home, not the person. So if you are the sole owner of the property and you die, then the mortgage doesn’t go with you to the grave, nor is it forgiven. It must be paid for from your estate.

What happens if you inherit a house without a mortgage?

With no mortgage payments, the house becomes an added asset. If you choose, you can move into the inherited home and make it yours. This is a great option for those who are renting or have a mortgage on their current home as you will no longer have to incur those monthly payments.

Is inherited property taxable in Canada?

There is no inheritance tax on property in Canada. If the property that you are inheriting was the principal residence of the deceased, then you would not pay any inheritance tax for the property. Instead, taxes that you may have to pay for the inherited property would be in the form of capital gains, if applicable.

Is inheritance considered income in Canada?

A common misconception among Canadians is that they can be taxed on money they inherit. The truth is, there is no inheritance tax in Canada. Instead, after a person is deceased, a final tax return must be prepared on income they earned up to the date of death.

What happens when someone leaves you a house in their will?

As the recipient of an inherited property, you’ll benefit from a step-up tax basis, meaning you’ll inherit the home at the fair market value on the date of inheritance, and you’ll only be taxed on any gains between the time you inherit the home and when you sell it.

How does inheriting a house work in Canada?

In Canada, there are no inheritance taxes, meaning you do not have to pay to take over a property. If you do decide to move in, however, you will take over the property taxes, repairs, mortgage payments (if applicable), insurance payments, etc. If you decide to sell, you will be subjected to the capital gains tax.

What kind of tax do you pay on inherited property in Canada?

In Canada, primary residences that are inherited are taxed at 50% of the change in property value when they are sold. Second homes, such as vacation homes, are taxed at the full capital gains rate when they are inherited, so the standard capital gains rules apply on later sales.

When do you have to sell inherited property in Canada?

There is no time limit on when you must sell an inherited house after inheriting property in Canada. Regardless of when you sell the property, you will be taxed at 50% of the property’s change in value as a capital gains tax on the inherited property, if it was/is a primary residence and not something like a vacation home.

Can a family member gift real estate in Canada?

However, when gifting real estate to family members for nil consideration, there is a deemed disposition at the fair market value. The recipient will have a cost base at fair market value resulting in no double taxation. Visit this Government of Canada web page to learn more about Transfers of Capital Property.