$5,875 Back from the Government, What It Means for Camille
Planiprêt
May 19, 2026
Camille is 29 years old. For three years, she’s been setting money aside every month. She’s dreaming of her first place, small but hers. And since January 1, 2026, the Quebec government has extended a very concrete helping hand.
The Welcome Tax: The Bill Nobody Sees Coming
When Camille started seriously looking for her first property, her Planiprêt broker told her something many buyers discover too late: on top of the down payment, there are closing costs. Among them, the transfer tax, also known as the “welcome tax”, can represent several thousand dollars due within weeks of the purchase.
On a $400,000 property, the amount easily exceeds $4,000. At $500,000, we’re talking more than $6,000. Money you need to come up with out of pocket, on top of everything else, at a time when your budget is already stretched thin.
That’s exactly the burden the Quebec government decided to ease, specifically for first-time buyers like Camille.
The Good News of Spring 2026
In April 2026, Quebec introduced a refundable tax credit for property access. The measure applies retroactively to any eligible home purchased since January 1, 2026.
Here’s what it means in concrete terms:
- 100% of the first $5,000 in transfer taxes is refunded
- 25% of the excess amount is also covered, up to an additional $875
- The total refund can reach $5,875
- The property must have a base value under $1 million
And unlike many tax credits that require waiting until the annual tax return, this one can be paid in advance, as early as fall 2026, once the transfer tax has been paid.
Who Qualifies?
This credit is for first-time buyers who have never owned property, or who have not held a property in the past four years. It also applies to individuals with severe disabilities who need to find a more accessible home, regardless of prior ownership history.
Key conditions: reside in Quebec, have paid the transfer tax, and the property’s base value must not exceed $1 million. If the estimated credit exceeds $1,000, an advance payment can be requested by direct deposit, no later than December 1 of the relevant tax year.
In Camille’s case, buying on her own at $385,000, the credit covers nearly her entire transfer tax. That’s thousands of dollars that stay in her account. That money can go toward an emergency fund, first furniture, or simply give her a bit more breathing room after the purchase.
What Your Broker Should Factor Into Your Plan
This credit doesn’t change the rules of the mortgage game, but it does shift the overall financial equation at the time of purchase. A Planiprêt broker will now incorporate it into your liquidity planning, because money you can recover quickly deserves a place in the strategy.
It can, for example, influence:
- How much liquidity it makes sense to keep after closing
- Whether it’s worth aiming for a slightly higher down payment
- How closing costs are managed as a whole
These are exactly the kinds of details, not always visible in a rate comparison chart, that make the difference between a smooth purchase and one that puts pressure in all the wrong places.
So, Where Is Camille Now?
She signed an offer to purchase in March 2026. Her broker confirmed she qualifies for the credit and that by fall, she’ll receive a $4,875 refund directly into her account. That’s not a small amount. It’s exactly what she had planned to set aside for unexpected expenses in her first year.
As she puts it herself: “I didn’t even know this existed. My broker told me about it at our very first meeting. That’s exactly why you need a broker.”
Are you a first-time buyer considering making your move in 2026? Talk to us. We’ll make sure you know about every available program before you sign anything.
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