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Ottawa launches applications for first-time home buyers’ GST HST rebate
Dated: April 4 2026
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First-Time Buyers · Government Programs
Big News for First-Time Buyers: Up to $50,000 in GST/HST Relief Is Now Available
A new federal rebate is officially open for applications — and it could make a meaningful difference for buyers entering the market in Vernon and across BC.
If you've been waiting for the right moment to buy your first home, this is worth paying attention to. As of March 17th, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is now accepting applications for the First-Time Home Buyers (FTHB) GST/HST Rebate — a program that can put up to $50,000 back in your pocket when purchasing or building a new home.
Here's what you need to know.
What the rebate offers
The FTHB GST/HST Rebate, introduced under Bill C-4 (the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act), allows eligible first-time buyers to recover up to 100% of the GST — or the federal portion of the HST — on a qualifying new home. How much you can claim depends on the purchase price:
Full rebate
Up to $50K
Homes valued at $1M or less
Partial rebate
Reduced
Homes between $1M – $1.5M
No rebate
$0
Homes at $1.5M or above
This sliding scale means that even buyers in higher-priced markets can benefit from meaningful savings, helping to ease the sting of closing costs on a new build.
Good news for Vernon buyers: With many new construction homes in the Vernon and Okanagan area falling well under the $1M threshold, eligible buyers could recover the full amount of federal sales tax paid — potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars.
What homes qualify?
The rebate applies to newly constructed or substantially renovated homes that will be used as a primary residence. It does not apply to resale homes. Construction must have begun on or after March 20th, 2025 for owner-built homes to qualify.
How to apply
The process depends on how you're acquiring the home. If you're purchasing from a builder, the rebate may be credited directly at closing — your builder handles the paperwork through their CRA account, reducing your purchase price upfront. If you're building your own home, you'll apply directly through your CRA account or by submitting the appropriate form. In most cases, you'll need to apply within two years of taking ownership or completing construction.
Do you qualify?
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have not owned and lived in a home as a primary residence in the past four years
- Intend to use the home as your primary residence
- Be the first to occupy the home after construction or renovation is complete
- Applying as an individual — not a corporation or partnership
At least one owner of the home must meet the first-time buyer criteria, but not all co-owners need to qualify.
Why this matters right now
For many first-time buyers, the biggest barrier to homeownership isn't the mortgage — it's the upfront costs. GST on a new home can add up quickly, and this rebate directly addresses that burden. Combined with other affordability tools available to Canadian buyers, the FTHB GST/HST Rebate is a meaningful step forward for those who've felt priced out of the market.
If you're considering a new build in Vernon or the surrounding Okanagan area, now is a great time to explore your options. Programs like this don't come along often, and understanding how they work before you start your search can make a real difference in your budget.
For complete eligibility details and to apply, visit the CRA's website directly.
Get in touch:
Jake Russell
Personal Real Estate Corporation
(250) 260-0789
Royal LePage Downtown Realty - Vernon
(250) 545-5371
4007 32 ST
Ottawa launches applications for first-time home buyers’ GST/HST rebate
Jake Russell
North Okanagan Realtor® since 2007. Combining genuine relationships with smart marketing strategy, I help families buy and sell with confidence. Your goals become my mission, whether that's maximi....
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