B.C. First Time New Home Buyers Bonus

NEW PROGRAM
as per government website


An eligible new home includes new homes (i.e., newly constructed and substantially renovated homes) that are purchased from a builder and that are owner-built. The bonus will be available in respect of new homes purchased from a builder where:

- A written agreement of purchase and sale is entered into on or after February 21, 2012;

- HST is payable on the home (e.g., HST will generally be payable if ownership or possession of the home transfers before April 1, 2013 - see further details below);
- and no one else has claimed a bonus in respect of the home.

The bonus will be available in respect of owner-built homes where:
- A written agreement of purchase and sale in respect of the land and building is entered into on or after February 21, 2012;
- Construction of the home is complete, or the home is occupied, before April 1, 2013; and
- No one else has claimed a bonus in respect of the home.

A substantially renovated home is one where all or substantially all of the interior of a building has been removed or replaced. Generally, 90% or more of the interior of the house must be renovated to qualify as a substantially renovated home (90% test).

Amount of the Bonus

MAXIMUM AMOUNT

The bonus is equal to 5% of the purchase price of the home (or in the case of owner-built homes, 5% of the land and construction costs subject to HST) to a maximum of $10,000.

PHASE-OUT FOR HIGHER INCOME EARNERS

The bonus will be reduced based on an individual's/couple's net income (line 236 of your income tax return) using the following formula:
- For single individuals, the bonus is reduced by 20 cents for every dollar in net income over $150,000 (bonus is reduced to zero at $200,000 net income).
- For couples, the bonus is reduced by 10 cents for every dollar in family net income over $150,000 (bonus is reduced to zero at $250,000 family net income).

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals must apply for the bonus through the B.C. government. Individuals can apply once application forms have been posted on the B.C. Ministry of Finance website later this year. Applicants will be required to submit documentation demonstrating eligibility for the bonus.

ELIGIBLE NEW HOME

The bonus is available in respect of new homes (i.e., newly constructed and substantially renovated homes) where HST is payable. HST will generally be payable on homes purchased from a builder where ownership or possession transfer before April 1, 2013. Potential buyers should consult with the builder to determine if the home will be subject to the HST.

For owner-built homes, the bonus will be based on land and construction costs subject to the HST. Eligible new homes will include:
- Detached Houses, semi-detached houses, duplexes and townhouses,
- Residential condominium units,
- Mobile homes and floating homes, and
- Residential units in a cooperative housing corporation.



For More Information
INCOME TAXATION BRANCH

Ministry of Finance
Province of British Columbia
Telephone: (250) 387-3332 or 1 (877) 387-3332
Email: ITBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca


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