As a homeowner you may be eligible for the following benefits and or tax credits such as the Home buyers’ amount, the Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) and the Principle Residence Exemption. Learn more by reading below.
On this page you’ll find
Home buyers’ amount
You or your spouse can claim the $5,000 Home buyers’ amount. The maximum credit is $750 ($5,000 x 15%, the lowest personal tax rate).
To qualify:
- You or your spouse must have acquired a qualifying home, and
- You can’t have lived in another home owned by you or your spouse in the year you buy your first home – or in any of the 4 previous years.
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
Beginning in the 2016 tax year, there is a new non-refundable tax credit of up to $10,000 of eligible expenditures (for a maximum credit of $1,500) to renovate a home to make it more accessible, or to improve mobility within the home, for seniors 65 and over who are entitled to claim the Disability Tax Credit. Learn more about the HATC.
Principal Residence Exemption
You won’t pay tax on any money you make when you sell your principal residence. You don’t have to report the sale on your tax return. If prices go down and you lose money selling your home, you can’t claim the loss on your tax return. Learn more about the Principal Residence Exemption.
Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)
As a first-time home buyer, You can borrow up to $35,000 from your RRSP under the HBP to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself, or someone with a disability who is related to you. You won’t pay any tax on the money as long as you pay it back within 15 years.
Key point
You won’t pay tax on any money you make when you sell your principal residence.
Take action
If you’re a first-time home buyer, find out if you qualify for the Home Buyers’ Plan from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Summary
As a homeowner or future homeowner, you should know:
- If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for the Home Buyers’ Plan from the Canada Revenue Agency.
- You can claim the $5,000 Home Buyers’ Amount if you have a qualifying home and have not lived in another home owned by you or your spouse during the year you bought your first home or in the previous 4 years.
- You may claim the Home Accessibility Tax Credit if you renovated a home to make it more accessible or to improve mobility and are 65 years or older or you’re eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.
- You do not pay tax on the money made from selling your principle residence and don’t have to report the sale on your tax return.
