Craig Johnston Personal Real Estate Corporation · Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite West
Coquitlam · GST / taxes
GST applies to new-construction Coquitlam homes (Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau-base, Burquitlam-presale). Federal rebates can reduce the GST burden materially — above all the First-Time Home Buyers’ GST Rebate, in force since March 2026, which can remove the entire 5% on a new home up to $1,000,000.
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What should you know about GST rebate on new homes in Coquitlam?
GST applies to new-construction Coquitlam homes (Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau-base, Burquitlam-presale). Federal rebates can reduce the GST burden materially — above all the First-Time Home Buyers’ GST Rebate, in force since March 2026, which can remove the entire 5% on a new home up to $1,000,000. Craig Johnston, earned on a Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025 and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
GST / taxes · Coquitlam
If you are buying a new-construction Coquitlam home, the 5% federal GST applies to the purchase price. There are several rebate programs that may reduce or eliminate this. Here is the verified current state of each.
Full 36% rebate of GST paid on new construction up to a $350,000 base. Sliding-scale partial rebate from $350,001 to $450,000. Above $450,000, no federal GST rebate via this program. Must use the home as a primary residence (you, your spouse, or close family) to qualify.
British Columbia has no provincial new housing rebate. The old BC rebate applied to the provincial portion of HST and disappeared when BC returned to GST plus PST in 2013. On a new BC home the only rebates in play are the federal ones on this page.
Now law — Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on March 12, 2026. Refunds 100% of the federal GST on a qualifying new home up to $1,000,000 (up to $50,000 saved), then phases out on a straight line to nil at $1,500,000. Requires a first-time buyer, a primary residence, and generally a purchase agreement dated on or after March 20, 2025. This is the program that changes the math on most Coquitlam new construction — confirm your eligibility with your accountant.
The developer collects GST at closing and remits to CRA. Some developers structure the price as 'GST-included' for marketing — read the contract carefully.
Resale Coquitlam homes (any age) are GST-exempt. Only new construction (or substantial renovation) triggers GST.
Craig Johnston is a 47-year Coquitlam resident and licensed REALTOR® at Royal LePage Elite West. Earned on a Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025. Talk through your specific situation — no pressure, no obligation.
Buying new construction adds a tax layer resale homes don't have. Here's the shape of it — then confirm the exact numbers with your builder and accountant before you write.
The basics
New and substantially renovated homes are generally subject to 5% GST, which resale homes are not. On a new build, factor it into your budget from the start rather than treating it as a surprise at closing.
The rebate
The federal GST New Housing Rebate can return part of the GST — but it phases out as price rises, so at typical Coquitlam price points the federal portion is often small or nil. Check where your purchase actually lands.
Included or not
Some builder prices are quoted net of GST and rebate assignment; others are not. Confirm exactly what the advertised number includes so you're comparing homes on the same basis.
Rental vs. living
Whether you'll live in the home or rent it out can change which rebate applies and how you claim it. The distinction matters, so flag your intended use early.
Presales
On a presale, GST is generally calculated at completion. If you plan to assign before completing, the tax treatment gets more involved — get advice specific to that scenario.
For you
The safest move is to have your mortgage broker and accountant cost the GST and any rebate before you commit, so the tax is a known line, not a late shock.
Rebate thresholds and rules are set federally and can change, and how they apply depends on price, use and your contract, so verify the current details for your own purchase.
Craig can make sure the GST question is on the table during any Coquitlam new-build conversation and connect you with an accountant to confirm what, if anything, you'll recover.
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Yes — 5% GST applies on new-construction Coquitlam townhomes. May be partially or fully rebated depending on price tier and your buyer status (first-time buyer, owner-occupier, etc.).
Base GST: 5% × $1,000,000 = $50,000. With the standard rebate: rebate phases out by $450K, so on $1M base price, $50,000 GST is paid in full. With the First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate: up to the full $50,000 back on this purchase if eligibility is met.
If you intend to rent rather than occupy, the New Housing Rebate is not available. The Rental Rebate is a separate program with different rules and is paid to the developer (lower price to you). Confirm with your accountant.
Two paths: (1) you assign the rebate to the developer at closing — they reduce the contract price by the rebate amount, and you do not have to claim. (2) You pay full GST at closing and claim the rebate from CRA after — processing times vary, so check CRA's current timelines. Many new-construction contracts use path (1) — check yours.
No — you have to claim it. Confirm with your accountant and the developer's lawyer that the exemption is applied correctly at closing.
Federal definition: neither you nor your spouse have owned a home in the past 4 years. Confirms with the federal program rules (which can evolve).
Yes, on the new-build portion. Assignment income is also subject to GST in many cases. Talk to a tax accountant before assigning a Coquitlam presale contract.
Varies — read the contract. Some developers list GST-inclusive; some list pre-GST. Much new construction is priced before GST, with GST added at closing — confirm in your contract.
GST (5%) is federal and applies to new-construction homes. PST is provincial and does not apply to homes — it applies to other goods and services in BC.
Generally no (residential, primary residence). GST on rental properties may be claimable as part of business expenses. Talk to your accountant.
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