1. HOME BUYER'S PLAN 

 Do you know that you can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSP'S for a downpayment.  Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP's can be allowed to use it for the second time.  

 Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter 'Home Buyers' Plan in the search box 1 800 959 8287

2. GST REBATE ON NEW HOMES 

New Home Buyers can apply for a rebate for the 5% GST if the purchase price is $350,000 or less.  The rebate is equal to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6300.  There is a proportional new home rebate costings between $350,000 and $450,000 There is no rebate for $450,000 and above.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter 'RC4028' in the search box.  1 800 959 8287

3.  BC PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX (PTT) FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS PROGRAM

Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home with priced up to $475,000.  There i a proportional exemption for homes between $475,000 and $500,000.  There is no exemption above $500,000.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue  www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/property...Taxes/Proerty...Transfer...Tax/ptt.htm  250 387 0604

4.  FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS' TAX CREDIT (HBTC)

This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation.  The calculation: Multiply your lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2012) x $5000. For 2013 tax year, the maximum credit is $750.

Canada Revenue Agency  www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/compltng/ddctns/Ins360-390/369/menu-eng.html 1800 959 8281

5.  BC HOME OWNER GRANT

Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to $1,100,000.  The basic grant give homeowners:

  I.  A Maximum reduction of $570 in property taxes on prinicipal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Districts

  II. An additional grant of $200 to rural home owners elsewhere in the province

  III. An additional grant to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog or contact your municipal tax office

6.  BC PROPERTY TAX DEFERMENT PROGRAMS

- Property Tax Deferment for Seniors Program - Qualifying Home Owners aged 55+ maybe eligible to defer property taxes.

- Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program - Low income home owners maybe eligible to defer property taxes

- Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children - low income home owners who financially support children under age 18 maybe eligible to defer property taxes.

7.  HOME ADAPTATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE (HAFI)

A program jointly sponsored by the provincial and federal governments provides up to $20,000 to help eligible low-income seniors and disabled homeowners and landlords to modify their homes to make it more accessible and safer.

BC Housing www.bchousing.org/Options/Home...Renovations 604 646 7055 or toll free 1 800 407 7757 ext 7055

8.  CMHC MORTGAGE LOAN INSURANCE PREMIUM REFUND

Provides Home buyers with CMHC Mortgage premium insurance, a 10% premium refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an energy efficient homes or make energy saving renos.

9.  BC HYDRO APPLIANCE REBATES & FRIDGE BUY-BACK PROGRAM

Mail in rebates for purchasers of ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators or freezers.  There is also an on-going rebates program to consumers to turn in spare fridges in workig condition for $30.

www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates...savings/appliance_rebates.html  1 800 224 9376 (ENERGY STAR appl)

www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates...savingss/fridge_buy_back.html  604 881 4357

10. FORTISBC REBATE PROGRAM FOR HOMES

A range of rebates for home owners including a $300 rebate for purchasing an EnerChoice fireplace, or up to $1000 off on ENERGY STAR water heater, or a $1000 rebate for switching natural gas (from oil or propane) and installing an ENERGY STAR heating system.

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes?offers/Pages/default.aspx 1 800 663 8400