HST Renovation Rebate Ontario

Want To Learn More About The GST/HST Substantial Renovation Housing Rebate?

Did you know that if you’ve completed substantial renovations, added a major addition, or converted a non-residential house within the last two years, you have the chance to receive up to $30,000 back from the Government of Canada? Substantial renovations may be eligible for a GST/HST new housing rebate claim.

Finally, after all the hard work and dedication you’ve put towards improving your home with your major renovation project, you can get a well-deserved cheque back. But we know what you’re thinking, how do you even apply to receive a GST/HST New Housing Tax Rebate in the first place? This is where we come in. We’re Sproule + Associates and we have over 15 years of valuable experience helping Canadian homeowners put millions of dollars back in their pockets. Here’s how we do it:

Red-haired tax expert discussing HST rebate with young client

By filling out a digital consultation form with your name, phone number, email address, and the service you’re inquiring about, we can give you a call back promptly and let you know if you’re eligible to receive a GST/HST New Housing Rebate and the amount you can expect to get back. We never make promises, but we certainly do our best to ensure what you’ll receive is fair and just. If we don’t think we can assist you, we’ll let you know so as to not lead you on. If you’re new to the process and have an array of questions, that’s fine with us! Ask away and we’ll help you understand why you may or may not be eligible, which receipts you require, and when you can expect your rebate.

Paperwork is always the thing clients dread when they learn they’re eligible to receive the GST/HST New Housing Rebate for their Substantially Renovated Home. But when you work with our rebate professionals, you don’t have to worry about the paperwork because we fill it out for you. We want to make this rebate experience as stress-free as possible for our clients, therefore, we handle the entire process with ease from the beginning to the end without any errors.

Close-up of HST rebate document
New homeowner applying for GST/HST rebate online

Sometimes homeowners get confused when it comes to sending in the application for their Substantially Renovated Home Rebate. Since we handle the entire process for you, we know precisely where to send your application and have lots of experience handling any discussions with the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). Once they receive and review your application, it typically takes anywhere from four to eight weeks to receive your tax rebate (unless selected for an audit).

You’ll receive mail from the Canada Revenue Agency with your cheque outlining the amount we discussed. All you have to do is cash it! You deserve it. And the best part about working with us? You don’t pay us until you get your money so there are no risks associated with contacting us or requesting a consultation appointment. There are absolutely no hidden costs when you work with us.

Professional tax expert handing cheque for HST rebate to homeowner

What Is A Substantial Renovation?

How do you know if your home is considered “Substantially Renovated”?

According to the Government of Canada, a Substantially Renovated Home is one that has had 90% or more of its interior removed and replaced. At this point, your renovated existing house is actually considered a “new home” and is entitled to the GST/HST New Housing Rebate. All aspects of major home renovations can be included, with some exceptions, including certain renovations to interior supporting walls, and foundations. You can also be eligible for the new housing rebate program if you convert a non-residential property into a primary place of residence.

The GST/HST New Housing Rebate is based on calculations that are related to the HST paid for building materials, labour, and subcontractors when you substantially renovate your existing house. Homeowners are not eligible for the Harmonized Sales Tax Rebate if there is a co-ownership arrangement or a partnership deal.

A substantially renovated mobile home or other property types may be eligible, too, under the new housing rebate. Remember, you only have two years after the substantial renovations are complete in order to apply.

How Long Should I Keep My Documents Associated With My New Home?

Middle-aged couple staring contentedly at substantially renovated loft

We get asked this question a lot and we always tell homeowners that when they substantially renovate, they should keep all documents from that substantial renovation for at least six years. These documents should include:

GST/HST New Housing Rebate and Other Tax Rebate Services

While we can guide you through the process of obtaining a new housing rebate for your substantial renovations on your home, we also provide other GST/HST Tax Rebate services dedicated to ensuring you get the money back that you’re entitled to. If you have an investment property, such as a condominium, residential unit, residential complex, detached house, residential trailer park, or other property intended to be used as a residential rental property, we can even help you with your GST/HST residential rental property rebate application for that.

Owner-Built Home Rebate

Within the last two years, have you built your own home or hired someone to build your home for you? Then contact our GST/HST Tax Rebate experts to help you possibly receive a maximum rebate of $30,000. In order to qualify, you must be a Canadian resident who uses their new home as their principal residence and who has kept all receipts for goods and services where GST/HST was paid. Just note that if you live outside of Ontario, your GST/HST New Housing Rebate may be lower.

Children running in hallway of substantially renovated home
Young couple embracing in renovated Oakville living room

New Residential Rental Property Rebate (NRRP)

If you’re a Canadian resident who has purchased a New Residential Rental Property within the last two years, you must also plan on having tenants lease your new rental property for one year. Multi-unit housing and co-ops also qualify, but the process is much more complex, but that’s why we’re here: to handle the complex process for you.

Notice of Objection

Navigating through the waters of applying for a GST/HST New Housing Rebate yourself can be tricky, especially if you receive a Notice of Assessment from the CRA denying your rebate. If you’ve received this, contact our team here at Sproule + Associates and we’ll file a Notice of Objection and represent you in all discussions with the CRA. Reasons for being denied from the CRA for a tax rebate may include:

  • Incorrect missing information
  • Signatures are missing
  • Pages are missing
  • You didn’t file in the right time frame

If you don’t agree with their decision, you have the right to file a Notice of Objection.

Young couple discussing the purchase of their new dream home

What You Can Expect From Us

When you contact us to assist you through the GST/HST New Housing Rebate process, you can expect us to utilize our expertise for you. But that’s not all:

We’re well-known in Oakville and surrounding areas for our honesty and integrity. If we don’t think we can assist you, we’ll let you know (and at no risk to you since we only get paid when you receive a cheque). We don’t promise the full $30,000 every time either. When you use our New Housing Rebate calculator, you can find out what you can get back within four to eight weeks.

High-Quality Workmanship

We hold ourselves to a high standard and nothing less. We know what it takes to navigate the waters of obtaining the New Housing Rebate and we love seeing the smiles on our clients' faces when they receive a cheque.

Integrity

We're well-known in Oakville and surrounding areas for our honesty and integrity. If we don't think we can assist you, we'll let you know (and at no-risk to you since we only get paid when you receive a cheque). We don't promise the full $30,000 every time either. When you use our New Housing Rebate calculator, you can find out what you can get back within four to eight weeks.

Honesty

The application process or even speaking with the CRA can be a confusing and frustrating one which is why we’re here. It’s our job to handle every aspect of the process for you, as well as answer any of your questions. Why stress out about it when you can just leave it to us?

Have Any Questions About Your GST/HST Tax Rebate?

We know GST/HST tax rebates are a confusing topic, but that’s why we want to help you. Never hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding your application or if you’re eligible by filling out a consultation form. We’ll get back to you in a timely manner and better yet, you won’t be charged high upfront costs because you only get paid when you have a physical cheque in your hands.

We strive to ensure our clients understand the process and how simple it really can be for them. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions, which we’ll gladly answer with more detail in person:

A tax refund means that you have been either overpaid or incorrectly paid and are refunded or paid out the remaining amount. A tax rebate is when tax money is returned to you after applying to a certain rebate program outlined by the Government of Canada. The HST/GST housing rebates are part of a program aimed at making housing more affordable.

No, every client has a different circumstance, therefore, the rebate amount they receive back for their Substantially Renovated Home, New Residential Rental Property Rebate or Owner-Built Home will be different. The maximum new housing or substantially renovated housing rebate amount is $30,000. Rebate amounts vary by province, too. The fair market value (FMV) of your home may impact your new housing rebate amount, too, as the federal rebates are based on the FMV, not purchase price.

No! Many of our clients who are looking for a Substantially Renovated Home Rebate, New Residential Rental Property Rebate or Owner-Built House Rebate are actually located all across Ontario. We also serve clients all across Canada. Even if you are not eligible for the Ontario new housing rebate, you can apply for the federal government portion across Canada.

If you’re looking to apply for a housing rebate for substantially renovating your home or for a newly constructed house, you have two years from your project completion date to do so (including additions). If you’re looking to apply after building a new home, again, you have two years to do so after the project completion date. If you’re looking to apply for the New Residential Rental Property Rebate, you also have two years upon the closing date you and your tenants agreed upon to apply.

Most people assume the HST housing rebate is for new, detached homes but this isn’t the case. A “home” is considered a condominium, a mobile home, a floating home, a townhouse, a semi-detached home, a duplex, and a co-operative housing unit. Also, if you’ve undergone a substantial renovation process, your home is considered a “new home”, under the Ontario HST rebate, for home renovations purposes. The house does need to be your primary place of residence for the GST/HST new housing rebate; if you purchased a residential rental property for investment purposes, you must apply under an NRRP rebate application.

If you don’t see your home listed here, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll assess your situation and let you know if you qualify for a renovation or new housing HST rebate.