First-time home buyer tax credits and rebates in Canada

Several programs help first-time buyers and homeowners with taxes and costs. Rules change often, so it is worth checking which ones apply to you before you buy.

The short version: the main federal programs are the Home Buyers' Tax Credit, the first-time buyers' GST/HST rebate on new homes, the FHSA and the Home Buyers' Plan. Provinces add land transfer tax relief.

Federal programs for buyers

• Home Buyers' Tax Credit: a non-refundable credit worth up to about $1,500, based on a $10,000 amount, for qualifying first-time buyers.
• First-time buyers' GST/HST rebate: for agreements signed from March 20, 2025, eligible buyers can get a full rebate of the GST (or the federal part of HST) on new homes valued up to $1 million, phased out up to $1.5 million, to a maximum of $50,000. Ontario's provincial HST rebate has different rules.
• First Home Savings Account (FHSA): $8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime, with a tax deduction and tax-free withdrawals.
• RRSP Home Buyers' Plan: withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free, repaid over 15 years.

Provincial and city relief

• Ontario: refunds up to $4,000 of land transfer tax for first-time buyers, and Toronto up to $4,475 more.
• British Columbia: exempts qualifying first-time buyers up to a price limit.
• Other provinces have different programs, and several have none. See our land transfer tax guide.

Programs for owners

• Home Accessibility Tax Credit: up to $20,000 of eligible renovation expenses, for a credit of up to $3,000, for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit: up to $50,000 of eligible expenses to add a secondary suite for a senior or adult with a disability, for a credit of about 14.5% to 15%, up to roughly $7,250 to $7,500 per claim.
• Heat pump rebate: a federal program was announced in October 2026 but is not yet available.
• Canada Greener Homes: the grant and the loan are closed to new applications.

Example

An Ontario buyer in Toronto may receive up to $8,475 back on land transfer tax, plus a tax credit worth about $1,500.

How to claim

• Land transfer rebates: your lawyer or notary can usually claim them for you at closing.
• GST/HST rebate: by builder credit at closing or a form filed with the CRA.
• Tax credits: on your tax return, so keep receipts.

Programs to check before you buy

• Home Buyers' Tax Credit.
• GST/HST rebate for new homes.
• FHSA and Home Buyers' Plan.
• Provincial and municipal land transfer tax rebates.
• Energy efficiency rebates after you buy.

Watch the eligibility

First-time buyer status is defined differently across programs, and amounts and deadlines change. Confirm each with the Canada Revenue Agency and your province. A tax professional can help you combine them.

Sources: CRA guide to taxes and housing benefits, CRA: Home Buyers' Amount, Natural Resources Canada: Greener Homes Loan.