What first-time home buyer grants are available in Ontario in 2026?

Ontario first-time buyers in 2026 can access the Federal First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate (up to $50,000), the Ontario HST New Housing Rebate enhanced for 2026 (up to $80,000), the Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund (up to $4,000), the Federal Home Buyers' Tax Credit ($1,500), and the Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax Rebate (up to $4,475 for City of Toronto buyers). Combined, eligible buyers of new builds up to $1 million can access over $135,500 in total relief.

Can I stack multiple first-time buyer programs on the same purchase in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario first-time buyers can layer federal, provincial, and municipal programs on the same purchase. For a new build up to $1 million bought between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, a buyer in Mississauga or the GTA could receive the federal FTHB HST rebate, Ontario's enhanced provincial HST rebate, the Ontario LTT refund, and the federal HBTC tax credit simultaneously.

What is the Ontario HST New Housing Rebate enhanced for 2026?

For purchases between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, Ontario's budget proposes a temporary enhancement to the provincial HST rebate that can eliminate the full 8% Ontario portion of HST on new homes up to $1 million — a potential saving of up to $80,000. This is significantly higher than the standard $24,000 maximum and is available in addition to the federal rebate.

What is the difference between Ontario's land transfer tax refund and Toronto's MLTT rebate?

Ontario's Land Transfer Tax refund provides up to $4,000 for eligible first-time buyers province-wide and is applied at closing by your lawyer. Buyers within the City of Toronto also pay a second municipal land transfer tax and receive an additional rebate of up to $4,475 — for a combined total of up to $8,475 in LTT savings at closing.

Is the Peel Region Home in Peel down payment program still available?

The Home in Peel affordable homeownership program is currently suspended as of 2026. Buyers in Mississauga should confirm directly with the Region of Peel before relying on this program, as funding status can change.

Are the FHSA and HBP considered grants for first-time buyers?

No. The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) are tax-advantaged savings programs — not government grants. The FHSA allows up to $40,000 in tax-deductible, tax-free withdrawals for a home purchase. The HBP allows up to $60,000 in RRSP withdrawals that must be repaid over 15 years. Both are powerful tools but should not be confused with non-repayable rebates.

Free Money for First-Time Buyers in Ontario | Sold by Dan Mehta

2026 Ontario Guide — Updated for First-Time Buyers

There's Free Money Waiting
for Ontario First-Time Buyers.

Grants, rebates, and tax credits you may not know about — and how to stack them on your first home purchase.

$50,000 Max Federal HST Rebate

$80,000 Max Ontario HST Rebate (2026)

$8,475 Land Transfer Tax Relief (Toronto)

$1,500 Federal Tax Credit

Most first-time buyers in Ontario don't realize how many programs are available to them — or how to layer them together. The good news: as of early 2026, you can stack federal, provincial, and municipal benefits on the same purchase.

This guide breaks down every major non-repayable grant, rebate, and tax credit available to first-time buyers in Ontario right now — and what you need to qualify for each one.

Federal Programs

First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate Up to $50,000

A full or partial rebate of the federal 5% GST (or federal portion of HST) on newly constructed homes — exclusively for first-time buyers. Available on homes purchased under agreements of purchase and sale dated March 20, 2025 or later. Builders can credit this at closing, meaning less cash you need on completion day. This is in addition to the standard GST/HST New Housing Rebate.

New Builds Only · Applied via CRA Form GST190

GST/HST New Housing Rebate (Federal Portion) Partial Rebate

Separate from the first-time buyer top-up, this rebate lets you recover a portion of the federal HST paid on any new or substantially renovated primary residence — whether you're a first-time buyer or not. First-time buyers benefit most when combined with the programs above.

New Builds & Major Renovations

First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC) Up to $1,500

Claim a $10,000 Home Buyers' Amount on your tax return (line 31270) in the year you buy. At the 15% federal rate, that's up to $1,500 in direct tax savings. Couples can split the $10,000 claim. You qualify if neither you nor your spouse owned and lived in a home in the past four calendar years.

Resale & New Builds · Claimed on Tax Return

⚠ No Longer Available: First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI)

The FTHBI shared-equity mortgage program was officially discontinued in March 2024. No new applications are being accepted. Any advisor still referencing this program is working from outdated information.

Ontario Provincial Programs

Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund Up to $4,000

First-time buyers get a refund of up to $4,000 off Ontario's Land Transfer Tax. On homes priced up to ~$368,000, this eliminates your LTT entirely. Above that, you still get the full $4,000 credit. The refund is usually applied at closing by your lawyer — you typically don't pay it and wait for a refund. Eligibility: you must be 18+, intend to move in within 9 months, and have never owned a home anywhere in the world.

Resale & New Builds · Applied at Closing

Ontario HST New Housing Rebate (Provincial Portion) Up to $24,000
Up to $80,000 in 2026

The standard provincial rebate recovers a significant portion of Ontario's 8% HST on new builds (up to $24,000). For 2026, Ontario's budget proposes a temporary enhancement that can rebate the full 8% provincial HST on new homes up to $1 million — pushing maximum relief up to $80,000. This applies to purchases between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Homes between $1M–$1.5M receive a reduced but still significant rebate.

New Builds Only · Temporary Enhancement Expires March 2027

🏆 Stack the Federal + Ontario HST Rebates on a New Build

When the federal first-time buyer GST/HST rebate and Ontario's enhanced 2026 provincial rebate are combined, eligible buyers of new homes up to $1,000,000 could see the full 13% HST eliminated during the temporary window. Here's what that looks like on a sample purchase:

Federal FTHB GST/HST RebateUp to $50,000

Ontario Enhanced HST Rebate (2026)Up to $80,000

Ontario LTT RefundUp to $4,000

Federal Tax Credit (HBTC)Up to $1,500

Combined Maximum Relief$135,500+

Municipal Programs Across Ontario

Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) Rebate Up to $4,475

Buying in the City of Toronto? You're subject to a second land transfer tax — but first-time buyers get a rebate of up to $4,475 off Toronto's MLTT. Combined with the $4,000 provincial LTT refund, that's up to $8,475 in total land transfer tax savings at closing, applied automatically by your lawyer.

City of Toronto Only · Applied at Closing

Municipality / Region	Max Assistance	Program	Notes
City of Toronto	Varies	Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP)	Down payment assistance for low- to moderate-income buyers; subject to City budget cycles.
Region of Waterloo	5% of price	Affordable Home Ownership Program	Interest-free deferred loan; homes up to ~$600,000.
City of Greater Sudbury	~$29,000	Affordable Homeownership Program	Interest-free 20-year forgivable loan. Fully forgiven if conditions met.
Dufferin County	Varies	Home Ownership Program	Interest-free second mortgage; forgivable after 20 years.
County of Renfrew	Up to 10%	Affordable Homeownership Program	Interest-free deferred loan for low- to moderate-income renters.
District of Muskoka	Up to 10%	Gateway Homeownership Program	Interest-free forgivable/deferred loan.
Niagara Region	Up to 5%	Homeownership Program	Income and price limits apply; requires Niagara rental history.
City of Hamilton	Varies	Down Payment Assistance (DPAP)	Deferred loan for low- to moderate-income renters transitioning to ownership.
City of Kingston / Frontenac	Varies	Home Ownership Program	Forgivable loan; conditions on long-term occupancy.
County of Simcoe	Varies	Affordable Homeownership Program	Moderate-income renters; limited funding.
Oxford County	Up to 5%	Home Ownership Program	Loan/second mortgage with resale conditions.
Peel Region (Mississauga)	—	Home in Peel (Currently Suspended)	Previously offered ~$20,000. Currently suspended — confirm with Region of Peel before relying on this program.

Helpful Tools That Aren't Grants

These programs come up in every conversation with first-time buyers — but they're not free money. Know the difference.

Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) — Up to $60,000 RRSP Withdrawal

You can withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP to use as a down payment — tax-free at the time of withdrawal. The catch: you must repay it to your RRSP over 15 years. It's an interest-free loan from your own savings, not a government grant. Still a powerful tool — just don't confuse it with free money.

First Home Savings Account (FHSA) — Up to $40,000 Tax-Free

The FHSA lets you contribute up to $40,000 in your lifetime ($8,000/year), with tax-deductible contributions and completely tax-free withdrawals for a home purchase. The tax savings are real and significant — but you're saving your own money, not receiving a government grant.

Your Next Steps to Claim Every Dollar

Confirm your first-time buyer status under both federal and Ontario definitions. They differ: Ontario's LTT refund requires you to have never owned a home anywhere in the world, while federal programs have a 4-year look-back window.

Determine if you're buying new construction or resale. HST rebates only apply to new or substantially renovated homes. This changes which programs you're eligible for significantly.

Check your municipality's housing website for any local down payment assistance or affordable homeownership programs — funding opens and closes quickly and is not always widely advertised.

Coordinate with your lawyer and accountant. LTT refunds are applied at closing registration. HST rebate forms (like GST190) must be filed correctly. Missing these steps can cost you thousands.

Work with a REALTOR® who knows how to build these savings into your purchase strategy — not just find you a home, but make sure you're not leaving money on the table at closing.

This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects programs available as of early 2026. Program details, funding, and eligibility change frequently. Always verify directly with the relevant government body or municipality before relying on any program. Not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice.