Your Guide To The A First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Marci Deane • March 5, 2025

Dreaming of owning your first home? A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) could be your key to turning that dream into a reality. Let's dive into what an FHSA is, how it works, and why it's a smart investment for first-time homebuyers.


What is an FHSA?

An FHSA is a registered plan designed to help you save for your first home taxfree. If you're at least 18 years old, have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and have not owned a home where you lived for the past four calendar years, you may be eligible to open an FHSA.


Reasons to Invest in an FHSA:

  • Save up to $40,000 for your first home.
  • Contribute tax-free for up to 15 years.
  • Carry over unused contribution room to the next year, up to a maximum of $8,000.
  • Potentially reduce your tax bill and carry forward undeducted contributions indefinitely.
  • Pay no taxes on investment earnings.
  • Complements the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP).


How Does an FHSA Work?

  1. Open Your FHSA: Start investing tax-free by opening your FHSA.
  2. Contribute Often: Make tax-deductible contributions of up to $8,000 annually to help your money grow faster.
  3.  Withdraw for Your Home: Make a tax-free withdrawal at any time to purchase your first home.


Benefits of an FHSA:

  • Tax-Deductible Contributions: Contribute up to $8,000 annually, reducing your taxable income.
  • Tax-Free Earnings: Enjoy tax-free growth on your investments within the FHSA.
  • No Taxes on Withdrawals: Pay $0 in taxes on withdrawals used to buy a qualifying home.


Numbers to Know:

  • $8,000: Annual tax-deductible FHSA contribution limit.
  • $40,000: Lifetime FHSA contribution limit.
  • $0: Taxes on FHSA earnings when used for a qualifying home purchase.


In Conclusion

A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a powerful tool for first-time homebuyers, offering tax benefits and a structured approach to saving for homeownership. By taking advantage of an FHSA, you can accelerate your journey towards owning your first home and make your dream a reality sooner than you think.


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By Marci Deane July 30, 2025
Bank of Canada holds policy rate at 2¾%. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario July 30, 2025 The Bank of Canada today maintained its target for the overnight rate at 2.75%, with the Bank Rate at 3% and the deposit rate at 2.70%. While some elements of US trade policy have started to become more concrete in recent weeks, trade negotiations are fluid, threats of new sectoral tariffs continue, and US trade actions remain unpredictable. Against this backdrop, the July Monetary Policy Report (MPR) does not present conventional base case projections for GDP growth and inflation in Canada and globally. Instead, it presents a current tariff scenario based on tariffs in place or agreed as of July 27, and two alternative scenarios—one with an escalation and another with a de-escalation of tariffs. While US tariffs have created volatility in global trade, the global economy has been reasonably resilient. 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Governing Council is proceeding carefully, with particular attention to the risks and uncertainties facing the Canadian economy. These include: the extent to which higher US tariffs reduce demand for Canadian exports; how much this spills over into business investment, employment and household spending; how much and how quickly cost increases from tariffs and trade disruptions are passed on to consumer prices; and how inflation expectations evolve. We are focused on ensuring that Canadians continue to have confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval. We will support economic growth while ensuring inflation remains well controlled. Information note The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is September 17, 2025. Read the July 30th., 2025 Monetary Report
By Marci Deane July 23, 2025
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By Marci Deane July 17, 2025
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