First-time Home Buyers Get a Non-refundable Tax Credit For 2009 and subsequent years, the budget also introduced a new non-refundable tax credit to help first-time home buyers with some of their closing costs. This Home Buyer Tax Credit (HBTC) will provide up to $750 in tax relief on the purchase of a first home. The HBTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2009) by $5,000. For 2009, the credit will be $750. To qualify for the HBTC, an individual must purchase a qualifying home and neither the homebuyer or the homebuyer’s spouse or common-law partner can have owned and lived in another home in the year of purchase or any of the four preceding years. A qualifying home is a housing unit located in Canada including existing homes and those being constructed. Single-family homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, mobile homes, condominium units, and apartments in duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, or apartment buildings, all qualify. A share in a co-operative housing corporation that entitles the individual to possess and gives an equity interest in a housing unit also qualifies. However, a share that only provides a right to tenancy in the housing unit does not qualify. First-time Home Buyers Land Transfer Tax Refund Land Transfer Tax applies to all transfers of land in Ontario. First-time homebuyers may be eligible for a refund of all or part of the tax. - For agreements of purchase and sale entered into after December 13, 2007, the refund applies to all homes, whether newly constructed or resale.
How much is the Refund? The maximum amount of the refund is $2,000. If the refund is claimed at time of registration, it may offset the land transfer tax ordinarily payable. If not claimed at registration, the refund may be claimed directly from the Ministry of Revenue. No interest is paid on this refund. Who Qualifies? To claim a refund, you: - must be at least 18 years of age;
- must occupy the home as your principal residence within 9 months of after the date of transfer; and
- cannot have owned a home, or an interest in a home, anywhere in the world.
In addition: - your spouse cannot have owned a home, or an interest in a home, anywhere in the world while being your spouse; and
- in the case of a newly constructed home, you must be entitled to a Tarion New Home Warranty.
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