Open and contribute to an FHSA
How do I open an FHSA and check how much I can contribute?
An FHSA can combine a deduction for eligible contributions with a tax-free qualifying home withdrawal. Before opening one, check the age, Canadian residency and first-time-buyer tests. Contributions and RRSP transfers share the same participation room.
Where to begin
- Check the opening conditions, including the rules about a home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner.
- Choose an issuer and provide registration information through its own secure process.
- Check your participation room before adding funds; deposits and RRSP transfers across all FHSAs count together.
- Keep records distinguishing contributions from transfers: an RRSP-to-FHSA transfer does not create another deduction.
- Complete Schedule 15 for the year you first open an FHSA, even if you add no money that year.
Before you open the official service
- Home-ownership and residency history.
- Issuer records of all FHSA contributions and transfers.
Keep your actual documents and account details off this website. Use the official service’s current checklist before applying.
What to check for your situation
The tests for opening an FHSA and making a qualifying withdrawal differ. Contributions after the first qualifying withdrawal are not deductible.
Fees, processing times and document rules can change. This page helps you navigate; it does not confirm eligibility or replace the government’s instructions.
Official sources
canada.ca · Official websiteCRA — Open an FHSAOpening requires qualifying age, Canadian residency and first-time-buyer conditions, including applicable spouse-owned-home conditions. Open through an issuer and report the first opening year on Schedule 15 even without contributions.Checked
Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.