Looking for a down payment on a home? Check your RRSPs

Looking for a down payment on a home? Check your RRSPs

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, with the federal Home Buyer’s Plan you may be eligible to withdraw funds from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) for a down payment when buying or building a qualifying home. Under the program you can withdraw up to $20,000 (or, up to a maximum of $40,000 per couple) without tax penalties.

Here is a basic overview of some of the rules:

• You must be considered a first time homebuyer, i.e. you cannot have owned an owner occupied home in the previous five years.

• You must be a Canadian resident.

• The property purchased must be for a principal residence.

• The RRSP must be repaid within 15 years, with minimum annual payments of 1/15th of the withdrawn amount.

• Funds must have remained in your RRSPs for a minimum of 90 days before they can be withdrawn under the Home Buyers Plan.

• You will have to complete Form T1036, “Home Buyers Plan (HBP) – Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP” available at the Canada Revenue Agency website www.cra-arc.gc.ca in the RRSP section.

No RRSPs? We can show you how to establish an RRSP with borrowed funds, and use the resultant tax refund for a down payment.

Invis.ca