The top 25 grants and rebates for home buyers and owners

HOME BUYERS' PLAN

1 Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter 'Home Buyers' Plan' in the search box. 1.800.959.8287

 

2 GST REBATE ON NEW HOMES

New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST) if the purchase price is $350,000 or less. The rebate is equal to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and $450,000. At $450,000 and above the rebate is nil.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter 'RC4028' in the search box. 1.800.959.8287
 

3 BC NEW HOUSING REBATE (HST)

Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Homes priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500. NOTE: this program expires March 31, 2013.

www.hstinbc.ca 1.800.959.8287

 

4 BC NEW HOUSING REBATE (HST) FOR SECONDARY VACATION OR RECREATIONAL HOMES

Buyers of new or substantially renovated secondary or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Homes priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500. NOTE: this program expires March 31, 2013.

www.hstinbc.ca 1.800.959.8287

 

5 BC NEW RENTAL HOUSING REBATE (HST)

Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes to rent are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. NOTE: this program expires March 31, 2013.

www.hstinbc.ca 1.800.959.8287
 

6 BC FIRST-TIME NEW HOME BUYERS' BONUS

First-time new home buyers may be eligible for a one-time grant equal to 5% of the purchase price of the home up to $10,000. Or if you are building a home, 5% of the land and construction costs, up to $10,000. The bonus is based on the net income of the home buyer. NOTE: this program expires March 31, 2013.

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_ library/notices/FTHB_Bonus.pdf 1.877.387.3332
 

7 BC PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX (PTT) FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS' PROGRAM

Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $425,000. There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to $450,000. At $450,000 and above the rebate is nil.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ business/Property_Taxes/Property_ Transfer_Tax/ptt.htm 250.387.0604
 

8 FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS' TAX CREDIT (HBTC)

This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. The calculation: multiply the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2011) x $5,000. For the 2012 tax year, the maximum credit is $750.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra. gc.ca. Enter 'First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit' in the search box. 1.800.959.8281
B C HOME OWNER GRANT
 

9 Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to $1,295,000. The basic grant gives home owners:

. a maximum reduction of $570 in property taxes on principal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts;
. an additional grant of $200 to rural homeowners elsewhere in the province; and
. an additional grant of $275 to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.
BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog or contact your municipal tax office.

 

10 BC PROPERTY TAX DEFERMENT PROGRAMS

Property Tax Deferment Program for Seniors. Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes.

Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program. Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property taxes.
Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children. Qualifying low-income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.
BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ individuals/Property_Taxes/ Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm

 

11 CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANTS

This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income home owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include heating, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available for seniors, persons with disabilities, owners of rental properties and owners creating secondary and garden suites.

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/ prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm 1.800.668.2642 604.873.7408

 

12 (HAFI) HOME ADAPTATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE

A program jointly sponsored by the provincial and federal governments provides up to $20,000 to help eligible low-income seniors and disabled home owners and landlords to finance modifications to their homes to make them accessible and safer.

BC Housing www.bchousing.org/ Options/Home_Renovations 604.646.7055 1.800.407.7757 extension 7055

 

13 CMHC MORTGAGE LOAN INSURANCE PREMIUM REFUND

Provides home buyers with CMHC mortgage insurance, a 10% premium refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an energy efficient home or make energy saving renovations.

www.cmhc.ca/en/co/moloin/ moloin_008.cfm 604.731.5733

 

14 ENERGY SAVING MORTGAGES

Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers and owners who make their homes more energy efficient. For example, home owners who have a home energy audit within 90 days of receiving an RBC Energy SaverT Mortgage, may qualify for a rebate of $300 to their RBC account.

www.rbcroyalbank.com/ products/mortgages/energysaver-mortgage.html 1.800.769.2511

 

15 LOW INTEREST RENOVATION LOANS

Financial institutions offer 'green' loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity's Bright Ideas personal loan offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for 'green' renovations. RBC's Energy Saver loan offers 1% off the interest rate for a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000 or a $100 rebate on a home energy audit on a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000.

For information visit your financial institution. www.vancity.com/Loans/ TypesOfLoans/BrightIdeas and www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/ personalloans/energy-saver-loan.html www.rbcroyalbank.com/personalloans/energy-saver-loan.html

 

16 LIVESMART BC: EFFICIENCY INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Home owners improving the energy efficiency of their homes may qualify for cash incentives through this provincial program provided in partnership with FortisBC and BC Hydro. Rebates are for energy efficient products which replace gas and oil furnaces, pumps, water heaters, wood stoves, insulation, windows, doors, skylights and more. The LiveSmart BC program also covers $150 of the cost of a home energy assessment, directly to the service provider. NOTE: this program expires March 31, 2013.

www.livesmartbc.ca/incentives/ 1.866.430.8765
 

17 BC RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CREDIT

Home owners and residential landlords buying heating fuel receive a BC government point-of-sale rebate on utility bills equal to the provincial component of the HST.

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/ consumer_taxes/residential_energy/ residential_energy.htm 1.877.388.4440
 

18 BC HYDRO APPLIANCE REBATES

Mail-in rebates for purchasers of ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers or freezers.

www.bchydro.com/rebates-savings. html 1.800.224.9376

 

19 BC HYDRO FRIDGE BUY-BACK PROGRAM

This ongoing program rebates BC Hydro customers $30 to turn in spare fridges in working condition.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/ fridge_buy_back.html 604.881.4357
 

20 BC HYDRO WINDOWS REBATE PROGRAM

Receive rebates or tax savings when you buy ENERGY STAR high-performance windows.

https: //www.bchydro.com/rebates_ savings/windows_offers/current_ offers.htm

21 FORTISBC REBATE PROGRAM

A range of rebates for home owners include a $75 rebate for upgrading to an ENERGY STAR clothes washer, a $300 fireplace rebate, $500 off water heaters and $1,000 for switching to natural gas..

www.fortisbc.com/Naturalgas/ homes/offers/pages/default.aspx ; 1.888.224.2710
 

22 FORTISBC REBATE PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES

For commercial buildings, provides a rebate of up to $60,000 for the purchase of an energy efficient boiler, up to $15,000 for the purchase of a high-efficiency water heater and recieve funding towards a new construction energy study.

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/ Business/Offers/Pages/default.aspx 1.888.477.0777
 

23 CITY OF VANCOUVER RAIN BARREL AND COMPOST BIN SUBSIDY PROGRAM

The City of Vancouver provides a subsidy of 50% of the cost of a rain barrel for Vancouver residents. With the subsidy the barrel costs $75. There is also a backyard composter for $25.

Barrel: https: //vancouver.ca/homeproperty-development/rain-barrels. aspx.
Composter: http: //vancouver.ca/ home-property-development/rainbarrels.aspx
 

24 LOCAL GOVERNMENT WATER CONSERVATION INCENTIVES

Your municipality may provide grants and incentives to residents to help save water. For example, the City of Coquitlam offers residents a $100 rebate and the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver offer a $50 rebate when residents install a low-flush toilet. Visit your municipality's website and enter 'toilet rebate' to see if there is a program.

 

25 LOCAL GOVERNMENT WATER METER PROGRAMS

Your municipality may provide a program for voluntary water metering, so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use. Delta, Richmond and Surrey have programs and other municipalities may soon follow. Visit your municipality's website and enter 'water meter' to find out if there is a program.

 

Article contributed by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

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