- \n
- Who qualifies for the refund<\/a><\/li>\n
- How much could be refunded<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to get your welcome tax refunded<\/a><\/li>\n
- How much welcome tax usually costs<\/a><\/li>\n
- The mistakes that could cost you the refund<\/a><\/li>\n
- What buyers should know in the Laurentians and on the North Shore<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Who qualifies for the welcome tax refund?<\/h2>\n
The refund is mainly intended for first-time home buyers<\/strong>, meaning people who have never previously owned a residential property.<\/p>\n
In most cases, you may qualify if:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You are buying your first residential property<\/li>\n
- The property becomes your primary residence<\/li>\n
- You actually live in the house or condo after the purchase<\/li>\n
- You have never previously owned a share in another residence<\/li>\n
- You meet the program\u2019s eligibility limit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The refund may also apply to different types of properties:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Single-family home \ud83c\udfe1<\/li>\n
- Condo<\/li>\n
- Townhouse<\/li>\n
- Owner-occupied duplex or triplex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nGood to know:<\/strong>
\nIf you are buying with your spouse or partner, the refund may be reduced or denied if one of you has previously owned a property.<\/div>\nDo I qualify if my spouse has already owned a home?<\/h3>\n
This is one of the most searched questions on Google.<\/p>\n
In many cases, if your spouse or partner has previously owned a primary residence, that may prevent full eligibility for the refund. However, some exceptions may apply depending on how the property is purchased and how ownership is divided.<\/p>\n
For example:<\/p>\n
- \n
- If you buy on your own and are the sole owner, you may still qualify<\/li>\n
- If you buy 50\/50 with someone who previously owned a home, the refund may be reduced<\/li>\n
- If the other person only owned a cottage or rental property, the exact rules need to be reviewed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Before buying, it is therefore very important to verify your situation with your real estate broker or notary.<\/p>\n
<\/h2>\n
![\"welcome-tax-calculator\"](\"https:\/\/samuelj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pexels-dione-neris-563567049-16825355-min-scaled.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
How much could be refunded?<\/h2>\n
The amount varies depending on the purchase price of the property and the actual welcome tax paid.<\/p>\n
In general, the more expensive the property, the higher the welcome tax. The refund can therefore represent:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A few hundred dollars for a smaller property<\/li>\n
- More than $2,000 for an average-priced home<\/li>\n
- Up to several thousand dollars in some cases \ud83d\udcb0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here are a few realistic examples:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n \nProperty purchase price<\/th>\n Approximate welcome tax<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n $300,000<\/td>\n About $2,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n $450,000<\/td>\n About $4,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n $600,000<\/td>\n Between $5,000 and $6,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n If you want a quick estimate of the exact amount of your welcome tax, you can use my welcome tax calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n
How much is the welcome tax?<\/h2>\n
The welcome tax \u2014 also called the land transfer tax \u2014 is an amount paid to the municipality after purchasing a property.<\/p>\n
It is calculated using different price brackets. The more expensive the property, the higher the rate.<\/p>\n
For example, a home purchased for $400,000 will not have the same tax as a property purchased for $800,000.<\/p>\n
Many buyers are surprised to receive a bill for several thousand dollars a few weeks after moving in. It is often one of the most overlooked expenses when buying a first home.<\/p>\n
- How much could be refunded<\/a><\/li>\n