YOUR FIRST HOME • CALGARY & SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
Your first new home could come with up to $50,000 in GST relief.
Owning a home can help you build equity, the part of your home’s value that belongs to you after subtracting your mortgage.
Buying your first new home? The Government of Canada may help you get back some or all of the GST. Let’s make it simple.
What could you save?
TL;DR: You could pay less for the same home.
- Price including GST: $650,000
- GST you could get back: $30,952.38
- Your cost after the rebate: $619,047.62
- The builder may give you the credit at closing. Otherwise, you pay first and apply to CRA for a refund. You must qualify.
| Price with GST | Your cost after rebate* | GST you could get back* |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000.00 | $380,952.38 | $19,047.62 |
| $450,000.00 | $428,571.43 | $21,428.57 |
| $500,000.00 | $476,190.48 | $23,809.52 |
| $550,000.00 | $523,809.52 | $26,190.48 |
| $650,000.00 | $619,047.62 | $30,952.38 |
| $700,000.00 | $666,666.67 | $33,333.33 |
| $850,000.00 | $809,523.81 | $40,476.19 |
| $1,000,000.00 | $952,380.95 | $47,619.05 |
| $1,250,000.00 | $1,219,047.62 | $30,952.38 |
| $1,500,000.00 | $1,492,857.14 | $7,142.86 |
Could this be your window of opportunity?
You don’t have to wait until everyone is excited about buying. A GST rebate and a well-negotiated price could help you get started.
Let’s check your budget and compare new homes to see what makes sense for you.
How to read this table
- All prices include 5% GST, before any rebate.
- Savings include both federal homebuyer GST rebates, where they apply. You cannot get the same tax back twice.
- The rebate gets smaller when the price before GST is over $1 million. It stops at $1.5 million before GST.
- That is why a $1.5 million GST-inclusive price can still mean $7,142.86 back.
- Some builders already include rebates in their ads. Ask before subtracting the savings again.
- You may need to pay the GST at closing and get it back later.
- Examples cover qualifying new homes and land bought from the same builder in Alberta. Amounts are rounded to cents. Legal fees and other buying costs are extra.
- A lower purchase cost does not guarantee your home’s value or future growth.
Who may qualify?
- You are 18 or older.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- In the year you take ownership and the four calendar years before it, you did not live in a home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner as your main home. Homes outside Canada count.
The home and purchase must qualify too:
- You sign the builder purchase agreement from March 20, 2025, through December 31, 2030.
- Construction starts before 2031. The home is mostly finished and ownership transfers to you before 2036.
- You buy it to live in as your main home and are the first person to live there after the work is finished.
- Neither you nor your spouse or common-law partner has received this first-time buyer GST rebate before.
- These are the main rules for a home and land bought from a builder. CRA has other conditions too.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply myself, or is the GST automatically deducted from the purchase price?
It depends on the builder.
- Builder gives you a credit: You complete the paperwork, and the builder sends the application to CRA. The credit can lower what you pay at closing.
- No builder credit: You pay the GST and apply to CRA yourself. You receive a refund if CRA approves your claim.
- GST is still charged. The rebate helps you get eligible tax back.
- Before signing, ask for the home price, GST, rebate and closing balance in writing.
Does every first-time buyer qualify?
No. You, the home and the purchase dates must all meet the rules.
Can I claim this on a regular resale home?
No, a regular resale home does not qualify. This rebate is for qualifying new homes or homes that have had major renovations. Building your own home has separate rules.
What if I owned a home before, including in the Philippines?
You may still qualify. What matters is whether you lived in a home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner during the years listed above. Homes in the Philippines and other countries count too.
Can I claim it on a rental investment property?
No, not if you buy it only to rent out. This rebate is for a home you buy to live in as your main home.
What if my parents help me buy and are on title?
You may still qualify even if your parents are also owners. The person claiming the rebate must qualify, and only one buyer can claim it for the home. The other rules still apply.
How long do I have to apply?
If you buy the home and land from a builder, you normally have two years from the date you become the owner. Deadlines for other types of purchases can differ.
Is the advertised builder price before or after the rebate?
Ask the builder:
- Does this price include GST?
- Does it already include a rebate?
- What will I need to pay at closing?
Don’t subtract another 5% from the ad price. Check the written numbers first.
Let’s make your first home purchase make sense.
My team and I can help you:
- Find new homes that fit your budget.
- Ask the builder how they handle the rebate.
- Work with your mortgage broker and lawyer so you understand what you will pay.
Ariell Xavier Arevalo | Sell With Ariell Real Estate Team @ CIR Realty | REALTOR®
Updated November 3, 2026. General information, not a determination of eligibility or tax advice. Confirm your circumstances with CRA and your lawyer or tax professional.
Official sources: CRA rebate overview · Eligibility · Builder credits and applications · Detailed CRA guidance