The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Damien Burleigh, CFP®, CLU® - Analyst, Client Needs
Housing affordability in Canada has been a hot topic for many years, and in this year's budget, the federal government proposed several measures aimed at making home ownership more accessible. One of the proposals is a new tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA). The purpose of this account is to encourage first-time buyers to save towards the purchase of a home.
Starting in 2023, eligible contributors will be able to contribute up to $8,000 per year to the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), up to a lifetime maximum of $40,000.
To be eligible to open an FHSA, a contributor must: • Be a resident of Canada; • Be at least 18 years old; and • Not lived in a home owned by the contributor in the year that the account is opened, or the previous four years.
Contributions to the plan will be tax deductible (like RRSP contributions), and growth inside an FHSA will be tax deferred (similar to RRSP and TFSA earnings). Funds withdrawn to use toward the purchase of a home are not taxed (like a TFSA). If in any year a contributor does not contribute the full $8,000 annual maximum, the unused contribution room does not carry forward to future years (unlike an RRSP and TFSA). Account holders can hold more than one FHSA account, but the annual and lifetime limits are per person, not per account.
Account holders will have 15 years from account opening to use the funds in the FHSA towards the purchase of a home. If two people are purchasing a home together, both may use their own FHSA funds towards the purchase. After making a tax-free withdrawal towards the purchase of a home, the account must be closed within one year, and an FHSA cannot be opened in the future. Withdrawals for any purpose other than purchasing a first home will be fully taxable in the year of withdrawal.
If funds contributed to an FHSA are not used within 15 years from account opening, the account holder will have the option to transfer the accumulated funds into their RRSP/RRIF, even if they don't have contribution room. Transfers to an RRSP/RRIF are not taxable upon transfer, but withdrawals from the plans are taxable as income upon withdrawal. If funds are not used or transferred after 15 years, the account holder must withdraw the funds as taxable income and close the account.
When it comes to first-time homebuyers, there are options to help you save.
First Home Savings Account | RRSP Homebuyers' Plan* | Tax Free Savings Account** | |
---|---|---|---|
Annual contribution limit | $8,000 | *RRSP contribution limit | $6,000 |
Contributions tax deductible | Yes | Yes | No |
Limit toward first home purchase | $40,000 | $35,000 | Entire Balance |
Taxable Withdrawal if used for home purchase? | No | No | No |
Taxable withdrawal if used for other purpose? | Yes | Cannot withdraw from RRSP under HBP for any purpose other than home purchase | No |
Repayment | Not required | Within 15 years | Not Required |
Contribution room carryforward | No | RRSP contribution room, Yes | Yes |
The FHSA was proposed in the 2022 federal budget, which has not yet received final approval. Certain details, such as qualifying investments and naming beneficiaries on this account remain unclear. We will share this information as it becomes available.
If you or someone close to you is thinking of buying their first home, we can help. Your Edward Jones advisor can develop a savings strategy while helping you navigate the different account options available.
Important information :
*Those planning to purchase a home soon may still consider Homebuyers' Plan since it will take 5 years to build up the $40,000 inside the FHSA
**Both the FHSA and the TFSA can be used together toward the purchase of a new home.