Status Update on the First-time home buyers’ (FTHB) GST/HST Rebate - As of January 23, 2026

Note: This is the current status as of January 23, 2026. Reach out to me for new updates any time, or click on the Government's webpage pertaining to this rebate: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agen...

For those who don’t know, the federal government has proposed a new GST rebate for first-time buyers on newly built homes, aimed at reducing, or eliminating the 5% federal GST.

This rebate was approved by the House of Commons in December, but it is not law yet. It still needs Senate approval and Royal Assent, which is expected to be addressed after the winter recess. A date has not yet been determined, but February is the expected month for Senate to reconvene.

In Ontario, buyers already receive a provincial new-housing rebate, and the province has indicated it may introduce or align a first-time buyer PST rebate once the federal program becomes law. If approved, that could mean additional savings on the provincial portion of HST on top of the federal rebate.

One important detail is whether the builder has already built the current $24,000 Ontario new-housing rebate into their pricing, which many do. If that’s the case, and Ontario moves ahead with the new first-time buyer rebate on the provincial portion, the additional savings wouldn’t be the full amount again, but rather the new provincial rebate minus the $24,000 already included. Understanding how your builder has structured pricing is key to knowing your true, incremental savings.

In summary, I feel that there are two key takeaways:

Firstly, the proposed GST/HST rebates have strong political support, but are waiting on the Senate to pass into law. It could and should represent significant savings for first-time buyers purchasing new construction.

Secondly, it is important to know how each builder you are considering has structured their pricing, to know exactly what the total rebate amount will be, once passed into law.

Many builders are co-operating with Realtors, and having a good Realtor who is keeping up on the progress of these rebates is vital. If you are a First-Time buyer considering a New Build, please reach out to me any time. I can introduce you to some great new build or resale options, and keep you informed and educated as Bill C-4 and the rebate seek Royal Assent.

Jeff Moisan
Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Home Group Realty
jeff@jeffmoisan.com
www.jeffmoisan.com