Can I get a refund of the non-resident speculation tax I paid if my purchase deal later falls through?

The Non-Resident Speculation Tax, like the general land transfer tax it sits on top of, is generally triggered by the actual registration of a transfer, so if a deal falls through before that registration happens, the tax is typically never actually paid in the first place, rather than something that gets paid and then needs to be refunded afterward. In the more unusual situation where the tax has already been paid and the underlying transaction is later unwound - for example, through a rescission or a similar reversal after registration - a refund may potentially be pursued through Ontario's existing land transfer tax refund process, though eligibility depends heavily on the specific circumstances involved.

Because this is a less common scenario than simply not completing a purchase before registration, and the required documentation and process for that kind of after-the-fact refund can be involved, this is not something to assume will be straightforward without confirming your specific situation directly.

If you are in this unusual situation, speak with your lawyer promptly about whether a refund application is realistic and what documentation Ontario's process would require.