There are many great programs out there for first time home buyers. Below is a list of some of the tax savings and incentives for first time home buyers
Home Buyers’ Plan: Registered Retirement Savings for down payments |
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Canada Revenue Agency’s Home Buyers' Plan lets qualifying home buyers use up to $25,000 of their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to buy a home. Couples can use up to $50,000. The home must be the principal residence, the home buyers must not have owned a home within the past five years and the loan must be repaid with 15 years. Disabled home buyers upgrading to a more accessible home also qualify as do relatives helping disabled home buyers. Home buyers who have already used the plan and have fully repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the plan a second time. |
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First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit |
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This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. It’s calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year by $5,000. |
Canada Revenue Agency |
GST Rebate on new homes |
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New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the 5% GST if the purchase price is $350,000 or less. The rebate is up to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and $450,000. |
Canada Revenue Agency |
BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) |
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Home buyers in BC pay a provincial Property Transfer Tax (PPT) when they buy a home. The tax is charged at a rate of 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price and 2% on the remainder. First-time home buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $475,000. There is a proportional exemption for between $475,000 and $500,000. At $500,000 and above the rebate is nil. |
BC Ministry of Finance |
BC property tax deferment programs |
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Seniors Financial hardship Families with children |
BC Ministry of Finance |
BC Home Owner Grant |
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Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to $1,100,000. The basic grant gives home owners: • a maximum reduction of $570 in property taxes on principal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver, and Fraser Valley regional districts |
BC Ministry of Finance |
Information Courtesy of the Vancouver Real Estate Board
http://www.rebgv.org/cost-saving-programs-homeproperty-buyers-and-owners