Should the next dollar go to FHSA or RRSP?

Compare the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, and regular savings for your next down-payment dollar.

CRA FHSA/HBP rules · Refund estimate · Home timeline · Nothing you type is saved

Your numbers

This assumption changes every path’s projected value. Leave it blank to use 4%.

If you are not sure, leave it on for planning and confirm before acting.

This shows the upside if the refund also goes toward the home.

The estimate updates as you type.

Estimate

Fill FHSA room first for this home.

Estimated FHSA refund: $4,151. Once FHSA room is full, the Home Buyers' Plan can stack on top for the same home.

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Updating estimate…

Key numbers

FHSA pathValue$32,739Refund$4,151LaterNo HBP repayment
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan pathValue$32,739Refund$4,151Later$1,871/yr repayment
Regular savingsValue$28,069Refund$0LaterNo account rules
Home Buyers' Plan amount$28,069
Yearly Home Buyers' Plan repayment$1,871

Assumes 4% yearly growth before buying, with the estimated tax refund saved for the home. Both are inputs on this page.

Worth knowing

  • You can use both accounts for the same home: fill FHSA room first, then add RRSP Home Buyers' Plan money on top.

What this means

This compares the down-payment value of FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, and regular savings.

They are not either-or: most first-time buyers fill FHSA room first, then add Home Buyers' Plan money from an RRSP. The two stack on the same home.

FHSA leads here because a qualifying first-home withdrawal can come out tax-free and does not need repayment. A bigger RRSP refund can look tempting, but every Home Buyers' Plan dollar has to be paid back.

If you are eligible, use FHSA for the next home-saving dollar first and keep the refund for the down payment. Once FHSA room is full, the Home Buyers' Plan can add up to $60,000 more.

Before using RRSP HBP money, add about $1,871 per year to your future budget for repayments, starting around 2031.

The inputs that move this answer most: FHSA room · RRSP room · Years until buying · Keeping the refund.

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Estimates only, not financial advice. Rates checked June 2026.

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