The Canadian government has a new program that returns the 5% GST tax to first-time home buyers. For most homes in Homestead, that means $25,000 to $36,000 back in your pocket.
Buying your first home is a big step. The Canadian government wants to help.
In 2025, a new law called Bill C-4 was passed. The law says this: if you are buying your first home in Canada, and the home is brand new, you do not pay the 5% GST tax. The government gives that money back to you.
For most homes in Homestead, that is between $25,000 and $36,000 in savings.
| GST: Goods and Services Tax. A 5% tax that the federal government charges on most things you buy in Canada, including new homes. |
How much will I save?
Here is what the savings look like on some Homestead homes:
| Home Price | GST You Would Normally Pay | Money Back to You |
| $560,000 (Partners duplex) | $28,000 | $28,000 |
| $620,000 (laned home) | $31,000 | $31,000 |
| $720,000 (front-drive home) | $36,000 | $36,000 |
Do I have to pay the GST first and wait?
No. The builder applies the savings at closing. That means you do not pay the GST in the first place. The price on the contract is the price you pay.
Who qualifies?
You qualify if all of these are true:
- You are a first-time home buyer. (You and your husband or wife have not owned a home in Canada in the last 4 years.)
- The home is brand new – not a resale.
- The home will be where you live every day. (Not a rental, not a vacation home.)
- You signed the contract on or after March 20, 2025.
Two more programs that work with this one
The GST refund is not the only way the government helps first-time buyers. Two other programs can be used at the same time.
| FHSA — First Home Savings Account: A special savings account for first-time buyers. You can put up to $40,000 into it over time. The money you put in lowers your taxes. The money grows tax-free. When you take it out for your home, you pay no tax. If you and your spouse both have one, that is up to $80,000. |
| HBP — Home Buyers’ Plan: If you have an RRSP (a retirement savings account), you can borrow up to $60,000 from it for your first home. You pay no tax on the money. You have 15 years to pay it back. If both of you use the plan, that is up to $120,000. |
When you add the three programs together – GST refund + FHSA + HBP – a couple could put more than $200,000 toward their first home using government programs alone.
What to do next
If you want to talk to someone in person, come visit our show homes in Homestead! We are happy to help with anything else you would like to know about the GST rebate.
Excel Homes – 283 Homestead Grove NE
Genesis Builders – 298 Homestead Tsse. NE
Partners Homes – 131 Homestead Gate NE
Trico Homes – 293 Homestead Tsse. NE
This article is general information, not financial or tax advice. Confirm eligibility and amounts with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), your lender, or a qualified accountant. The federal GST refund program (Bill C-4) is current as of May 2026.
