Residential Property Tax Credit
New Brunswick's Residential Property Tax Credit is applied against the provincial portion of property tax on an owner's principal residence, reducing the provincial rate to $0 on the first 0.5 hectares of land around the home. The owner still pays all municipal (local) property tax.
We explain the official rules; we do not decide who qualifies. Eligibility is determined by Service New Brunswick (Property Assessment Services), under the Residential Property Tax Relief Act. Check the official program page before you apply.
What the Residential Property Tax Credit is
The Residential Property Tax Credit is "applied against the provincial portion of your property taxes." The province states that the property tax owed "is based on local and provincial tax rates, per $100 of your property’s assessed value for taxation." For a home that is the owner's primary residence, the province says the credit "reduces the provincial tax rate to $0 on the first 0.5 hectares of land around your home." The owner remains "responsible for all of your municipal property tax."
The province's property tax reform FAQ notes that "most owner-occupied homes receive the provincial Residential Property Tax Credit, which means that those property owners do not pay provincial residential property tax."
The program has five categories: a full credit, a partial credit for buyers who move in after January 1, a New Construction Tax Credit, a credit for a residence occupied at least 183 days a year, and a retroactive credit for homes bought under a registered Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
The credit is also a condition of New Brunswick's Property Tax Allowance and seniors' deferral program.
Amounts
As published by Service New Brunswick (Property Assessment Services), under the Residential Property Tax Relief Act
| Item | Amount or rule | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Tax Credit | Full credit on the provincial tax portion of the property tax bill; the provincial tax rate is reduced to $0 on the first 0.5 hectares of land around the home | Current (pages read 2026-10-28) | 1, 3 |
| Multi-unit properties (duplexes, triplexes, in-law suites) | Credit only on the portion of the property the owner occupies as a principal residence and up to 0.5 hectares of land | Current (page read 2026-10-28) | 1 |
| Partial Tax Credit | Credit for the portion of time the owner owns AND lives on the property that year; municipal and provincial taxes apply while the property is vacant | Current (page read 2026-10-28) | 1 |
| Agreement of Purchase and Sale (rent-to-own) | Possible retroactive credit for the three previous years | Current (page read 2026-10-28) | 1 |
| Penalty for a false or misleading application | Fine of not more than $5,000 on conviction | Application form revised May 2023 | 2 |
Official eligibility criteria
- Full Tax Credit: "If you own and maintain your property as your principal residence for the full year with the exception of vacations and holidays, you may be eligible for a full tax credit on the provincial tax portion of your property tax bill."1
- Partial Tax Credit: for a buyer whose property will be their principal residence and who moves in after January 1st, for "the portion of time that you own AND live on the property that year."1
- New Construction Tax Credit: "Only single-family residences qualify for this tax credit, and the residence must be vacant and never previously lived in. You must apply for this tax credit each year."1
- Residence occupied at least 183 days: "you must physically live at your principal residence for at least 183 days in a calendar year. You also must be considered a resident of New Brunswick. You can only get a tax credit on one property."1
- Agreement of Purchase and Sale: the property "must have been and continue to be your principal residence," and the Agreement must have been "registered with the Registry of Deeds in your county within 90 days of signing."1
- The application form states that applicants must be assessed owner(s) and resident(s) of New Brunswick for options A, B, D and E (option D covers alternate housing in New Brunswick for health reasons, with the property not rented on January 1).2
Quoted or closely paraphrased from the official program rules. Eligibility is determined by Service New Brunswick (Property Assessment Services), under the Residential Property Tax Relief Act.
How to apply
Applications go to Service New Brunswick. The province states: "You only need to apply for the Residential Property Tax Credit once. The credit will remain on the property until such time as a change in ownership or occupation occurs." The New Construction Tax Credit is the exception and must be requested each year (option C on the same form).
Owners can apply online or mail the Notice of Application to Administrator for Residential Property Tax Credit to an SNB regional assessment office listed on the form. The form asks for the property location, the owners and occupants, dates of birth, marital status, other property owned and the date of occupancy. For a purchase of a home that is to be the principal residence, the province's page refers to the buyer or the buyer's lawyer applying for the credit. Questions go to 1-888-762-8600.
Eligibility is determined by Service New Brunswick.
Key dates
- Agreement of Purchase and Sale must be registered with the Registry of Deeds (for the retroactive credit)Within 90 days of signing the Agreement
- Partial credit applies to buyers who move inAfter January 1 of the tax year
- New Construction Tax Credit applicationEach year
Residential Property Tax Credit: common questions
Does the Residential Property Tax Credit reduce municipal property tax?
No. The credit is applied against the provincial portion of the property tax bill only. Service New Brunswick states that owners are "still responsible for all of your municipal property tax." The province's overview page says the credit reduces the provincial tax rate to $0 on the first 0.5 hectares of land around a home that is the owner's primary residence.
Do I have to reapply for the credit every year?
Service New Brunswick says an owner only needs to apply once, and the credit stays on the property until a change in ownership or occupation occurs. The exception is the New Construction Tax Credit for unfinished single-family homes that have never been lived in, which must be requested each year using option C on the same application form.
What happens with a duplex or a house with an in-law suite?
For duplexes, triplexes or houses with in-law suites, Service New Brunswick says the credit applies only to the portion of the property the owner occupies as a principal residence, and up to 0.5 hectares of land. The rest of the property is taxed without the credit. The province also publishes affidavits for second units, granny suites and conversions to a single-family home.
Can someone with a cottage claim the credit?
The 183-day category is for people who spend a great deal of time at a secondary residence such as a cottage. To receive it, the owner must physically live at the principal residence for at least 183 days in a calendar year and be considered a resident of New Brunswick. Service New Brunswick states that the credit can be received on only one property.
Is the credit needed for other New Brunswick property tax programs?
Yes. The Property Tax Allowance requires that the applicant be receiving the Residential Property Tax Credit. The property tax deferral program for seniors requires that the property be receiving the Provincial Residential Tax Credit. Both programs are run by the Government of New Brunswick, and each has its own application.
Related programs
Sources
Checked a second time against these sources on October 28, 2026
- Property Assessment Services - Residential Property Tax Credit, Service New Brunswick (Government of New Brunswick)Applies to Current program rules (page undated; read 2026-10-28) · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Notice of Application to Administrator for Residential Property Tax Credit (Residential Property Tax Relief Act, Section 6), revised May 2023, Service New Brunswick (Government of New Brunswick)Applies to Form revised May 2023, in use 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- How property tax works in New Brunswick, Government of New BrunswickApplies to Current (page undated; read 2026-10-28) · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Property tax reform FAQ (May 2026), Government of New BrunswickApplies to May 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
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