Buying your first home in Calgary is a big milestone—but for many, the biggest challenge is saving up for that down payment. The First Home Savings Account (FHSA), launched in 2023, was designed to make that goal a little more achievable.

Since its introduction, nearly half a million Canadians have already opened an FHSA, and for good reason—it combines the tax benefits of an RRSP with the flexibility of a TFSA, making it one of the most powerful savings tools available to first-time buyers. An FHSA gives you the best of both worlds.

Here’s what Calgarians dreaming of their first set of house keys need to know.

What is an FHSA?

Think of the FHSA as a hybrid savings account:

• Like an RRSP, contributions are tax-deductible, which means you could lower your income tax bill.
• Like a TFSA, your withdrawals (including growth and investment income) are completely tax-free when used to buy your first home.

You can contribute up to $8,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $40,000. If you don’t use all your contribution room in one year, up to $8,000 carries forward to the next. Example: If you put in $5,000 this year, you could contribute $11,000 the next year.

Who Can Open an FHSA?

To open and own a FHSA you must be a Canadian resident between the ages of 18 and 71. You also need to qualify as a first-time buyer (you haven’t been a home owner in the last 4 years.)

This means you might qualify even if you owned a home in the past but sold it several years ago.

Calgary Buyers Should Pay Attention

Calgary’s real estate market has been competitive, with rising prices making down payments harder to reach. The FHSA is designed to help level the playing field by reducing your tax bill while you save, and allowing your money to grow tax-free through investments like GICs, mutual funds, or ETFs.

This is AMAZING news if you’re trying to buy a home, and EVEN BETTER news if you’re not doing it alone. Anyone looking to buy a home has a chance to stack up—if you and your partner, friend or family member each open an FHSA, every one of you can set aside up to $40,000 tax-free, then pool it all on that first purchase.

Pitfalls to Avoid

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has warned about over contributions. If you put in more than your annual limit, you’ll be taxed 1% per month on the excess. To avoid this, track your participation room carefully—your Notice of Assessment will tell you how much space you have.

Another thing to be aware of is that you must use the funds in your FHSA within 15 years of the day you opened it. If you haven’t used that money to purchase a qualifying home by the end of that 15 years (or by the time you turn 71, whichever comes first), it has to be transferred to an RRSP or RRIF, or withdrawn as taxable income.

When’s the Best Time to Open One?

The earlier, the better. Opening an FHSA starts the clock on your contribution room. Even if you don’t have funds to contribute right away, having the account open means you’ll build future room and give yourself more flexibility later.

For example: Opening one before year-end could allow you to contribute $8,000 this year and another $8,000 next year—potentially giving you a $16,000 head start and a sizeable tax refund to put toward your down payment.

Making Progress

The FHSA is a game-changer for Calgary’s first-time buyers. Whether you’re hoping to buy a condo downtown, a starter home in the southeast, or a family place in the northwest, this account can give you a serious financial edge.

Mortgage brokers like me can help you understand how your FHSA savings fit into your overall home buying plan, and guide you through how much you’ll need to save for your down payment, closing costs, and monthly payments. I’d love to walk you through how an FHSA can work alongside your mortgage strategy. Reach out today, and let’s start mapping out your path to homeownership.