Increasing Withdrawal Limits Under the Home Buyers’ Plan

Saving the down payment for a home can be a challenge for many first-time home buyers.

The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) allows first-time home buyers to withdraw up to $20,000 from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to purchase or build a home. Unlike regular RRSP withdrawals, HBP withdrawals are not included in income when withdrawn. Amounts withdrawn under the HBP must be repaid over a 15-year period, starting the second year following the year of the withdrawal, or included in the individual’s income if not repaid.

To provide first-time home buyers with additional access to their RRSP savings to purchase or build a home, Budget 2009 proposes to increase the HBP withdrawal limit to $25,000 from $20,000 in respect of withdrawals made after January 27, 2009. It is also proposed that the increase apply to HBP withdrawals made for the purchase of a more accessible or functional home where the individual making the withdrawal is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), or if the withdrawal is made for the benefit of a DTC-eligible person who is related to the individual making the withdrawal. This is the first increase in the withdrawal limit since the HBP was introduced in 1992.

With the $5,000 increase to the withdrawal limit, two first-time home buyers purchasing a home jointly (e.g. a married or common-law couple) with sufficient RRSP funds in each of their names may now together withdraw up to $50,000 from their RRSP funds toward the purchase of a home in Canada.

It is estimated that this measure will cost $15 million in each of 2009–10 and 2010–11.

First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit

The costs associated with purchasing a home, such as legal fees, disbursements and land transfer taxes, can be a particular burden for first-time home buyers, who must pay these costs on top of saving the money for a down payment.

To assist first-time home buyers with the costs associated with the purchase of a home, Budget 2009 proposes to introduce a First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit—a $5,000 non-refundable income tax credit amount on a qualifying home acquired after January 27, 2009. For an eligible individual, the credit will provide up to $750 in federal tax relief starting in 2009.

It is also proposed that the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit be made available to existing homeowners in respect of a more accessible or functional home purchased by an individual eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), or for the benefit of a DTC-eligible person who is related to the individual purchasing the home.

It is estimated that this measure will cost $30 million in 2008–09, $175 million in 2009–10 and $180 million in 2010–11.

Property Transfer Tax ( Property Purchase Tax)

The Property Purchase Tax in the Province of British Columbia is 1% of the first $ 200,000 and 2% of the balance for example if a property sells for $ 500,000 the buyer pays $ 8,000 in tax( $ 200,000 X 1% = $ 2000 + $ 300,000 X 2% =$ 6000 )however the First Time Home Buyers who buy properties under $ 425,000 might be qualified for total exemption and properties between $ 425,000 and $ 450,000 might be partially exempted ,

To qualify for the First Time Home Buyers' exemption you must meet all of the initial eligibility criteria. To retain the exemption, there are also requirements which must be met in the year following the transfer. For complete information on all of the eligibility criteria, please see:

• Bulletin PTT 004, First Time Home Buyers' Program

• Instructions for Completion of the First Time Home Buyers' Tax Return

• First Time Home Buyer's Program- Follow Up

To claim the exemption you must file a First Time Home Buyers' Property Transfer Tax Return (FIN 269) and the appropriate Land Title forms at the Land Title Office when you apply to register your property.

If you do not qualify at the time of registration, but you meet all the requirements by the first anniversary of the registration date, you can apply for a refund of the tax paid. Applications for refund must be made within 18 months of the registration date. Please see How to File for more information