Ontario's first-time buyers get a bigger tax rebate as of January 2017

In an effort to help first-time homebuyers—but not hurt the equilibrium of housing markets outside of Toronto—the Ontario Liberal government announced today that they’ll double the first-time homebuyers’ maximum Land Transfer Tax refund to $4,000. This increased rebate will take effect January 1, 2017 and will mean that eligible homebuyers in Ontario would pay no Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on the first $368,000 of their home’s purchase price. “With the doubled refund, more than half of first-time homebuyers in Ontario would pay no LTT on the purchase of their first home,” explained Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa, during a press conference this afternoon. Sousa’s announcement was part of the provincial government’s Fall Economic Statement. The finance minister’s focus on helping first-time buyers highlights how unaffordable a home purchase has become, particularly in hot property markets, like the Greater Toronto Area. Tim Hudak, the relatively new CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association, had been calling for land-transfer tax breaks. In press statements made last week, he asked for help for first-time homebuyers to “help them get out of their parents’ house or get out of their apartment into a place of their own.” The current land transfer tax rates—and their brackets—haven’t budged since 1989, and sit at: Former Ontario Land Transfer Tax Rates Home Purchase Price Tax Rate Up to $55,000 0.5% $55,000 to $250,000 1.0% $250,000 to $400,000 1.5% Above $400,000 2.0% When the price brackets were first created, a $400,000 was considered the starting point for a luxury property. These days, however, a $400,000 home is no longer considered the benchmark for a luxury property in most parts of Ontario. Under the new “modernized” land transfer rates, buyers of detached or semi-detached homes or condos or townhomes should expect to pay the following: “Modernized” Ontario Land Transfer Tax Rates Home Purchase Price Tax Rate Up to $55,000 0.5% $55,000 to $250,000 1.0% $250,000 to $400,000 1.5% $400,000 to $2-million 2.0% $2-million and over 2.5% Keep in mind, however, that buyers of multi-residential buildings (such as triplexes), commercial, industrial or agricultural properties will be required to pay 2% tax rate on any purchase price over $400,000.

Help for renters, too

To help the tight rental market, the Ontario government also announced that it will be freezing the property tax on apartment buildings. While this freeze is in place, government officials will be reviewing how the high property tax burden on these buildings affects rental market affordability. Sousa writes: “The average municipal property tax burden on apartment buildings is more than double that for other residential properties such as condominiums.”

Small changes were expected

Last week, Premier Kathleen Wynne went on record to remind everyone not to “expect a radical shift in the way that the housing market works in Ontario. During that press conference, held outside a school in the Toronto neighbourhood of Leaside, Wynne declined to elaborate but did state “our concern [is] that there is a real challenge for first-time homebuyers to get into the market, and so we can make some small adjustments that will help on that.” Last month, there was a record 9,768 properties sold in the Greater Toronto Area—up 11.5% year-over-year. During that same time, home prices jumped 21% to an average of $762,975.

Current programs to help first-time homebuyers

There are already a few programs in place to help first-time home buyers. These include:

Home Buyer’s Plan

First-time homebuyers have an opportunity to use their RRSP contribution towards a down payment, using the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP). Under the federal HBP, you can withdraw up to $25,000 from any RRSP account, as long as those savings were deposited more than 90 days before your request to withdraw. (Your mortgage lender can provide the official Canada Revenue Agency form or you can get this form T1036 by going online.) Keep in mind, you have to pay back this interest-free loan over a 15-year period and any year you don’t make a payment, that annual sum is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate. The good news is that couples can withdraw a total of $50,000 combined from their RRSP accounts, which can make a huge contribution towards a down payment. To qualify for the HBP you and your spouse must not have lived in a home owned by either person for the five years prior to using the HBP.

First-Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit

Homebuyers who have not owned a home within the last four years may be eligible for the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit (HBTC) through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action plan. The credit is based on $5,000 multiplied by the lowest federal income tax rate for that year. For example, the lowest federal income tax rate for 2014 is 15%, so the value of the credit would be $750. You can learn more about the first time homebuyer’s tax credit on the Economic Action Plan website.

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) Refund

As a first-time homebuyer, you can receive a refund from the Ontario government of up to $2,000 of the land transfer tax you paid on your first home. (Keep in mind, other provinces have similar programs.) To qualify for this refund, you must be 18 or older, you cannot have previously owned a home (or an interest in a home, which includes putting your name on the deed of your parent’s cottage in order to avoid probate fees), and this all applies to property anywhere in the world. Typically, your lawyer will apply for the fee as you finalize your real estate purchase, but if that doesn’t happen you have 18 months after the registration date of the sale.

GST/HST New Housing Rebate

First-time homebuyers residing in provinces that have combined provincial and federal sales tax, which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Ontario, and B.C., are eligible for an HST tax rebate through the federal government. While rebates and conditions vary from province to province, the program is designed to help with the federal portion of the HST new homebuyers have to pay. You can find out if you’re eligible for an HST New Housing Rebate, as well as all necessary application forms on Service Canada’s website.

Energy Efficient Housing

Finally there’s the Energy Efficient Housing rebates. While not restricted to first-time homebuyers, these rebates can certainly help first-time buyers. There are a variety of rebates both at the federal and provincial levels. For instance, Genworth offers the Energy-Efficient Housing program. Available across Canada, this rebate provides a partial refund of up to 25% of the Genworth Canada insurance premium, based on the date of application for the mortgage insurance. If you bought a $300,000 home with only 5% down, you would have to pay $10,800 in insurance premiums. Under the Energy-Efficient refund program, you could save $1,620 off those premium rates. For eligibility requirements, see Genworth’s website. The Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation offers a similar rebate and can apply to a purchase or a renovation. Go online for more information. Ask a Real Estate Expert: Ask our experts your property or real estate question » Read more from Romana King at Home Owner on Facebook »