What is the Help to Buy Scheme?
The Help to Buy (HTB) Scheme helps first-time buyers to purchase a newly-built house or apartment.
It is also available for once-off self-build homes.
It only applies to properties that cost €500,000 or less.
The HTB Scheme gives a refund of the income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) you
have paid in Ireland for the 4 years before the year you apply.
Have there been any recent changes to the HTB?
In Budget 2024, the Help to Buy Scheme was extended to 31 December 2025.
The scheme was also amended to allow applicants using the Local Authority Affordable Purchase
Scheme to buy their home to qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme.
How do I qualify
To qualify, you must:
Be a first-time buyer. If you are buying or building the property with someone else, they
must also be a first-time buyer.
Buy or build the new residential property between 19 July 2016 and 31 December 2025.
Take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price of the property if you are buying
your home, or 70% of the valuation approved by the mortgage provider if you are building
your home.
Live in the property for 5 years from the date that it is habitable. HTB is not available for
investment properties.
Be fully tax-compliant for the 4 years immediately before your claim.
What do I get?
If you sign a contract for a new house, or draw down on a self-build mortgage, between 23 July 2020
and 31 December 2025, you can get an increased relief. This is known as the Enhanced Help to Buy
Scheme.
You can claim relief on the lesser of:
€30,000
10% of the purchase price of the property
10% of the completion value of a self-build
The amount of income tax and DIRT you paid for the previous 4 years
The maximum payment is €30,000 per qualifying property.
How can I apply?
There are 3 stages to the online application process:
1. The application stage: If you are a PAYE employee only, you can apply for the HTB Scheme
through Revenue’s MyAccount service. Or, if you are a self-assessed taxpayer, you can apply
through Revenue’s Online Service (ROS).
2. The claim stage: Once your application is approved, you can make your claim using ROS or
MyAccount. You will need to provide documents about your mortgage and confirm details
about the property at this stage.
3. The verification stage: The information you have provided is verified by an eligible verifier.
This is the contractor if you are buying a new home, or your solicitor if you are building your
home.
How do I get the refund?
If you buy a new build, the refund is paid directly to the builder. If you self-build the property, the
refund is paid to a bank account you hold with your loan provider.
Read more about the Help to Buy Scheme on https://bit.ly/Help2BuyScheme, or call us on 0818 07
4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG,
which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 0818 07 6330 Address:
Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information
Phone Service, 0818 07 4000
