09/26/2023
As of April 1, 2023, prospective first-time home buyers can open a first home savings account (FHSA) allowing them to save for their first home tax-free (up to certain limits).
▪️The FHSA, allows an $8,000 annual contribution limit in addition to a $40,000 lifetime contribution limit.
▪️Contributions are tax-deductible, and withdrawals to purchase a first home are not required to be included in your income
▪️An individual would be allowed to carry forward unused portions of their annual contribution limit up to a maximum of $8,000.
▪️To open an FHSA, an individual must be a resident of Canada and at least 18 years of age. In addition, an individual must be a first-time home buyer, meaning that they have not owned a home in which they lived at any time during the part of the calendar year before the account is opened or at any time in the preceding four calendar years.
▪️In order for an FHSA withdrawal to be a qualifying (i.e., non-taxable) withdrawal, certain conditions must be met, including these two important ones:
▫️A taxpayer must be a first-time home buyer at the time a withdrawal is made. Specifically, the taxpayer could not have owned a home in which they lived at any time during the part of the calendar year before the withdrawal is made or at any time in the preceding four calendar years.
▫️The taxpayer must also have a written agreement to buy or build a qualifying home before October 1 of the year following the date of withdrawal and intend to occupy the qualifying home as their principal place of residence within one year after buying or building it.
Provided the taxpayer meets all the qualifying withdrawal conditions, the entire amount of available FHSA funds may be withdrawn on a tax-free basis in a single withdrawal or a series of withdrawals.
*To learn more about the FHSA and all conditions, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/first-home-savings-account.html
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