Every Federal Housing Measure in Force in 2026: One List
Every federal housing measure in force in 2026 on one page: the $1.5M insured cap, 30-year amortizations, the Home Buyers' Plan, the FHSA and new-build rebates.
Eighteen federal measures affect Canadian buyers and sellers in 2026. Most were introduced between 2022 and 2026. Two, the Underused Housing Tax and the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, have been withdrawn. This page lists each with its effective date and what it does; the linked guides cover the detail.
The CostToClose calculators apply every rule below where it changes a number.
Mortgage rules
| Measure | Effective | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Insured mortgage price cap $1.5 million | 15 Dec 2024 | Homes under $1.5M can be bought with less than 20% down; at or above, 20% minimum |
| 30-year insured amortizations | 1 Aug 2024 (FTB new builds); 15 Dec 2024 (all FTBs and all new builds) | Extended amortization with a 0.20% premium surcharge |
| Down payment tiers 5% / 10% / 20% | Since 2016; upper tier moved with the cap | 5% to $500K, 10% on $500K–$1.5M, 20% at $1.5M+ |
| Stress test: greater of contract + 2% or 5.25% | 5.25% floor since June 2021 | Applies to insured (Finance) and uninsured (OSFI B-20) |
| No stress test on uninsured switches at renewal | Nov 2024 | Straight lender switches no longer re-qualified |
| OSFI capital rule for rent-dependent borrowers (IPRRE) | Fiscal 2026 | Higher bank capital when > 50% of qualifying income is rent; no double-counting of rent |
| Debt-service limits 39% GDS / 44% TDS (insured) | Longstanding | Maximum housing and total debt as share of gross income |
First-time buyer programs
| Measure | Effective | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Savings Account | 1 Apr 2023 | $8,000/yr, $40,000 lifetime; deductible in, tax-free out |
| Home Buyers' Plan limit $60,000 | 16 Apr 2024 | Up from $35,000; repayment grace extended to 5 years for 2022–2025 withdrawals |
| Home Buyers' Amount $10,000 | 2022 | Non-refundable credit worth $1,500 |
| First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate | Agreements from 20 Mar 2025; Royal Assent 12 Mar 2026 | 100% of GST on new homes to $1M, phasing out at $1.5M; max $50,000 |
| First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (shared equity) | Ended 31 Mar 2024 | No longer available |
Ownership and tax
| Measure | Effective | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians | 1 Jan 2023; extended to 1 Jan 2027 | Bars most non-Canadians from buying in urban areas; exemptions for some work-permit holders and students |
| Residential property flipping rule | 1 Jan 2023 | Sales within 365 days taxed as business income, no principal residence exemption, with life-event exceptions |
| Capital gains inclusion rate 50% | Increase to 2/3 cancelled Mar 2025 | Half of gains on non-principal-residence property is taxable |
| Underused Housing Tax | Eliminated for 2025 onward (Royal Assent 26 Mar 2026) | No returns or tax for 2025+; 2022–2024 obligations remain |
| GST/HST on assignment sales | 7 May 2022 | All assignments of new-home contracts taxable on the profit portion |
| Principal residence reporting | Since 2016 | Every sale of a principal residence must be reported (T2091) to claim the exemption |
Sources: Department of Finance Canada; CRA; OSFI; CMHC. Checked 14 September 2026.
What is not federal
Land transfer taxes, first-time buyer land transfer rebates, foreign-buyer taxes (Ontario 25%, BC 20%, Nova Scotia 10%), vacancy taxes (BC, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton), rent control, and new-home warranty programs are all provincial or municipal. See Provincial housing measures in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What are the current mortgage rules in Canada?
5/10/20 down payment tiers, a $1.5 million insured cap, 30-year insured amortizations for first-time buyers and new builds, and a stress test at contract plus 2% or 5.25%.
Is the foreign buyer ban still in effect?
Yes, until 1 January 2027. No further extension has been announced as of September 2026.
Is the Underused Housing Tax still in effect?
No. It was eliminated for 2025 and later years. Returns for 2022 to 2024 are still required from affected owners who have not filed.
What is the capital gains inclusion rate in 2026?
50%. The proposed increase to two-thirds was cancelled in March 2025.
Is the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive still available?
No. It ended in March 2024. The FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan and the new GST rebate are the current federal first-time buyer programs.
Sources
- Department of Finance Canada, mortgage rule announcements (2024), First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate (2025–2026), Budget 2025 (UHT elimination, capital gains) — checked 14 Sept 2026
- Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Guideline B-20; Capital Adequacy Requirements 2026 — checked 14 Sept 2026
- Canada Revenue Agency, FHSA, HBP, flipping rule, principal residence, UHT — checked 14 Sept 2026
- CMHC, Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act — checked 14 Sept 2026
This is general information, checked against the sources listed on the date shown. It is not legal, tax, or mortgage advice. Rules change, so confirm with your lender or the government office concerned.