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Ontario Home Buyer Programs, Rebates & Grants
A clear reference page for active home buyer programs, tax credits, rebates, and major updates in Ontario and Canada — organized to help buyers understand what may be available, what has changed, and where to verify the current rules.
Home buyer programs can help, but only when the details actually fit.
Buyers often hear about tax credits, savings accounts, down payment tools, land transfer tax refunds, new-home rebates, and “government programs,” but the details are often scattered, outdated, or mixed together in ways that create confusion.
This page separates active programs, recently changed items, and programs that are no longer accepting new applications. It is designed as a structured starting point for buyers in Aurora, Newmarket, Oak Ridges, King Township, and surrounding York Region communities.
Program eligibility can depend on buyer status, property type, tax year, purchase agreement date, construction timing, residency requirements, and other details. This page works best alongside the broader guides on how real estate works in Ontario and first-time home buying in York Region.
Active programs and credits buyers should know about first
These are some of the clearest active programs and credits worth understanding first. They do not all help in the same way, so timing and program fit matter.
First Home Savings Account
ActiveThe FHSA is a registered plan that allows eligible first-time buyers to save toward a qualifying first home on a tax-free basis, up to certain limits.
CRA guidance currently lists first-year FHSA participation room at $8,000, and a lifetime FHSA deduction limit of $40,000.
Why it matters: It can be one of the strongest planning tools for eligible buyers trying to build a down payment with tax advantages.
Official FHSA details →Home Buyers’ Plan
ActiveThe Home Buyers’ Plan allows eligible buyers to withdraw funds from an RRSP to buy or build a qualifying home, subject to CRA rules.
CRA currently lists the HBP withdrawal limit at $60,000. CRA also notes that eligible buyers may be able to use the HBP and make a qualifying FHSA withdrawal for the same qualifying home if all conditions are met.
Why it matters: It can help with down payment flexibility, especially when paired carefully with broader financial planning.
Official HBP details →Home Buyers’ Amount
ActiveThe Home Buyers’ Amount is a federal non-refundable tax credit for eligible purchasers of a qualifying home.
CRA’s current published page states that eligible buyers can claim up to $10,000 for the purchase of a qualifying home in 2025. Buyers should confirm the amount that applies for the tax year they actually file.
Why it matters: It is smaller than some savings tools, but it may still help offset part of the broader cost of buying.
Official Home Buyers’ Amount details →Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund
ActiveOntario provides a land transfer tax refund for eligible first-time homebuyers, subject to provincial rules and conditions.
Ontario’s current guidance lists a maximum refund of $4,000 for eligible first-time homebuyers.
Why it matters: It can reduce closing costs and is one of the main Ontario-specific items first-time buyers should check early.
Official Ontario refund details →Newer or more time-sensitive updates to watch closely
Some items are newer, more property-specific, or tied to precise agreement and construction timing. These should be verified carefully before a buyer relies on them.
First-time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate
NewerCRA describes a first-time home buyers’ GST/HST rebate for eligible first-time buyers of a newly built or substantially renovated home.
CRA guidance currently states that the rebate may be up to $50,000 of the GST or federal part of the HST for eligible new homes, fully available for eligible homes up to $1 million and gradually reduced between $1 million and $1.5 million.
CRA guidance also references agreement and construction timing rules, including agreements entered into on or after March 20, 2025 and before 2031, with substantial completion before 2036, where applicable.
Official GST/HST rebate details →New housing rebate planning
VerifyBuyers considering a newly built home should be especially careful with GST/HST rebate rules because eligibility may depend on buyer status, property value, purchase structure, builder documentation, assignment structure, occupancy use, and construction timing.
Ontario announced a proposed temporary expansion of HST rebate relief for eligible new-home scenarios. Because program rules and implementation details can be technical, buyers should verify the current official guidance before relying on any calculation.
Practical takeaway: New-build rebate planning should be reviewed with the builder, lawyer, accountant, mortgage professional, and official CRA/Ontario sources.
Ontario announcement →Programs buyers still hear about, but should not treat as currently open
Older articles and videos can continue circulating long after a program has ended. This is one reason official source verification matters.
First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
EndedThe First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is the shared-equity program many buyers still ask about. CMHC states that it is no longer accepting applications.
CMHC lists the deadline for new submissions as March 21, 2024 at midnight ET, and states that no new approvals would be granted after March 31, 2024.
Buyers should not plan around this program as if it is still open, even though older content online may still mention it.
Official CMHC notice →How to verify whether a program is truly active
Before relying on any buyer program, take a careful verification approach. A program can be real but still not apply to your situation.
Start with official sources
Canada.ca, CRA, Ontario.ca, CMHC, FSRA, Tarion, and other official sources should carry more weight than recycled blog posts or social media summaries.
Check the date window
Launch dates, agreement dates, application deadlines, sunset dates, construction deadlines, and tax-year references can all affect eligibility.
Match the program to the property
Some programs apply broadly. Others only apply to new construction, first-time buyers, qualifying homes, specific tax years, or particular ownership scenarios.
Confirm how the benefit works
Some items are tax credits, some are savings tools, some reduce closing costs, some are rebates, and some affect tax filing rather than cash at closing.
Review with professionals
Mortgage brokers, lenders, lawyers, accountants, and builders may each have a different role in confirming whether a program applies properly.
Do not rely on headlines
A headline may say “rebate” or “grant,” but the fine print may include income rules, occupancy rules, purchase price limits, or timing restrictions.
Related guides and communities
Continue through the Jonathan Colford Homes & Estates resource structure to connect buyer programs with the full buying process, local community planning, and market strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Is every buyer eligible for these programs?
Are all of these programs cash grants?
Can the FHSA and HBP both matter in the same plan?
Is the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive still open?
Does the first-time home buyers’ GST/HST rebate apply to resale homes?
What should I do before relying on one of these programs?
Official sources
These are the primary sources worth bookmarking if you want to verify the current details directly.
CRA — First Home Savings Account
Official CRA guidance on FHSA eligibility, participation room, contributions, deductions, withdrawals, and transfers.
Visit CRA FHSA →CRA — Home Buyers’ Plan
Official CRA guidance on HBP eligibility, RRSP withdrawals, withdrawal limits, and repayment requirements.
Visit CRA HBP →CRA — Home Buyers’ Amount
Official CRA guidance on the federal Home Buyers’ Amount and qualifying home rules.
Visit CRA Home Buyers’ Amount →Ontario — Land Transfer Tax Refund
Official Ontario guidance on land transfer tax refunds for eligible first-time homebuyers.
Visit Ontario.ca →CRA — First-time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate
Official CRA guidance on the newer first-time home buyers’ GST/HST rebate for eligible new-home scenarios.
Visit CRA GST/HST rebate →CMHC — First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
Official CMHC notice confirming the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is no longer accepting applications.
Visit CMHC notice →Need help understanding what may apply to your purchase?
If you are trying to understand what benefits may apply, compare current programs, or simply make sure you are not missing something important, the first conversation should feel calm, useful, and straightforward.
Jonathan can help you connect buyer programs with your actual purchase plan, community search, financing timeline, and next step.
Jonathan Colford | Sales Representative | eXp Realty Brokerage
Email: jonathan.colford@exprealty.com
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