Apply for the Help to Buy (HTB) incentive

The HTB online service allows you to apply for the HTB incentive if you are an eligible first-time buyer. It also allows you to claim for a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) that you have paid. This refund can be from any, or all, of the four years before you make your application.

Who is the service for?

This service is suitable for you if you:

  • are a first-time buyer
  • and
  • buy, or self-build, a house or apartment between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2025.

What you need to use the service

If you are a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxpayer, you need to have submitted an Income Tax Return. You also need to have a Statement of Liability for each of the years you intend to claim a tax refund.

If you are a self-assessed taxpayer, you need to be fully tax compliant. This means you need to have paid and filed for all tax years in which you were liable for tax. You also need to have a Tax Clearance Certificate.

If you are purchasing a new build, you need to ensure that the contractor is a qualifying contractor. Only qualifying contractors can approve your HTB claim. 

You can find further information on how to apply in the Help to Buy section

How to access the HTB incentive online service

To access this service through myAccount, please click 'Help To Buy' on the 'Property and Land Services' card

To access this service through the Revenue Online Service (ROS), please click on the 'Help to Buy Applicant link' card on your ROS home screen.