Federal programs every Canadian can claim
The FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, Home Buyers' Tax Credit, and GST/HST rebates apply nationwide regardless of province. These are designed to stack — there is no rule preventing you from claiming every program you qualify for on the same purchase. Missing even one can cost thousands.
Provincial rebates add thousands more
Ontario offers up to $4,000 in provincial land transfer tax rebates (plus up to $4,475 in Toronto). BC provides property transfer tax exemptions on homes up to $835,000. Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax at all. Quebec and Atlantic provinces offer their own grants and credits — use our province selector to find yours.
How to claim everything you qualify for
Open your FHSA early, confirm first-time buyer status under CRA rules, gather provincial rebate applications before closing, and file the Home Buyers' Tax Credit on your tax return for the purchase year. A mortgage broker can help identify municipal rebates you might miss — especially in cities like Toronto and Montreal.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use all first-time buyer programs at once?
- Yes. Federal programs (FHSA, HBP, HBTC) stack with each other and with most provincial rebates. There is no rule against combining them — you must only meet each program's individual eligibility criteria.
- How much can first-time buyers save with incentives in 2026?
- A couple maximizing FHSA and HBP could access up to $200,000 from registered accounts. Add $3,000 in HBTC, provincial land transfer rebates ($4,000–$14,700 depending on province), and GST rebates on new builds — total savings often exceed $10,000 to $20,000 beyond down payment funds.
- Do provincial programs differ across Canada?
- Yes. Federal programs are identical nationwide, but provincial land transfer tax rebates, grants, and credits vary significantly. Alberta has no provincial transfer tax; Ontario and BC offer the most generous rebates.
- What is the Home Buyers' Tax Credit worth in 2026?
- The HBTC provides a $1,500 non-refundable federal tax credit ($10,000 amount × 15% lowest rate). Each qualifying first-time buyer claims it on line 31270 of their tax return for the purchase year.