Help to Buy (HTB) scheme

How do you apply for HTB?

There are three stages to the online process:

1. Application stage.
2. Claim stage.
3. Verification stage.

Application stage

You can apply for the HTB Scheme through myAccount by clicking 'Help To Buy' in the 'Property and Land Services' section. 

To apply for the HTB Scheme through the Revenue Online Service (ROS), please click the 'Help to Buy applicant link' on the ROS home screen. 

As part of the application process, you must:

• confirm whether you are applying as an individual or as part of a group
• complete the declaration
• and
• select the years you wish to use for a refund.

Note

You must apply as a group if there are two or more names on the mortgage. This does not include a guarantor. 

If you are tax compliant, your application will proceed to the next stage and you will be given:

• an Application Number
• an Access Code (sent through MyEnquiries)
• an indication of the maximum amount you can potentially claim
• and
• the date the application will expire unless a valid claim is submitted.

Please keep these numbers safe as you may need to provide them to your lender, contractor or solicitor at the verification stage.

Note

Even if your application proceeds to the next stage, all conditions of the HTB Scheme must be satisfied for the claim to be approved.

A valid claim must be submitted before the application expires, otherwise your application will have to be resubmitted.

Lenders and contractors can use Revenue’s Mortgage Query Tool to check your potential maximum HTB refund.

Claim stage

Step 1

If you are purchasing a new property, upload:

• evidence of your mortgage (letter of loan offer and signed acceptance form)
• a copy of the purchase contract, signed and dated by the vendor and all purchasers
• and
• a copy of the Affordable Dwelling Purchase Agreement, if applicable.

If you are self-building, please upload:

• evidence of your mortgage (letter of loan offer and signed acceptance form)
• proof of the draw down of the first part of the mortgage
• and
• a copy of the valuation report from your lender.

Step 2

You must confirm details about the:

• property
• purchase value or approved valuation (if you are self-building)
• date of completion
• mortgage
• shared equity, if applicable
• and
• deposit.

If you are applying with other people, you will also need to confirm the portion of the refund due to each person.

If you are self-building, you will need to provide the BIC and IBAN of the relevant bank account held with your mortgage provider.

Once you have submitted your claim, you will be provided with a Claim Reference Number.

If you enter incorrect information during your application or claim, you must cancel it. You can then submit a new application or claim before continuing to the next stage.

Verification stage

Before you receive any refund, the information you have provided will need to be verified by the:

• qualifying contractor, if you are purchasing a property
• or
• your solicitor, if you are self-building.

When you have submitted your claim, you should advise your eligible verifier and provide them with your:

• Claim Reference Number (issued after the claim stage)
• and
• Access Code (issued when your application was approved).

The refund that you receive is limited to 10% (5% under the original HTB Scheme) of the:

• purchase value
• or
• approved valuation.

This may mean that it is different to the maximum relief amount advised at the application stage.

For further information, please see the Help to Buy summary guide for applicants. 

Next: Information for applicants, lending institutions, solicitors and contractors