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Help to Buy Calculator (Ireland)

Free tool · Ireland•Free · no sign-up•2026 rules · Updated 16 August 2026

PZak Carolan · The People's PocketFigures verified at source · free, no sign-up

Help to Buy gives first-time buyers back up to €30,000 of the income tax and DIRT they've already paid, to put towards the deposit on a new home. This free calculator shows what you could claim — and flags the two rules that catch most people out. It runs entirely on your device; nothing is saved.

Estimate your Help to Buy refund

About 30 seconds. Nothing is saved or shared — it all runs on your device.

Purchase price of the home (€) Help to Buy only covers new builds and self-builds up to €500,000.

Your mortgage amount (€) You need a mortgage of at least 70% of the price to qualify.

Income tax + DIRT you've paid over the last 4 years (€) Not sure? A rough guide is your yearly income tax × 4. You can check exactly in Revenue myAccount.

Is it a new build or self-build?

Help to Buy is capped at the lowest of: €30,000, 10% of the purchase price, or the income tax and DIRT you've actually paid over the previous four years.

How Help to Buy works

Help to Buy (HTB) gives first-time buyers a refund of income tax and DIRT you've already paid over the previous four years, to put towards the deposit on a new home. It's not a loan and you don't pay it back.

You get whichever of these is lowest:

€30,000 — the scheme maximum
10% of the purchase price (or approved valuation for a self-build)
The income tax and DIRT you actually paid over the last four years

The catch most people hit: Help to Buy only covers new builds and self-builds. Second-hand homes don't qualify, no matter their age or condition. And there's a €500,000 price ceiling — one euro over and you get nothing.

Who qualifies

You're a first-time buyer (all buyers must be, if buying together).
The property is a new build or self-build costing €500,000 or less.
You take a mortgage of at least 70% of the price — cash buyers and very low borrowing don't qualify.
You'll live in the property as your main home.
Your tax affairs are up to date for the four years you're claiming.

Help to Buy vs the First Home Scheme

They're different, and lots of buyers use both. Help to Buy refunds your own tax towards the deposit. The First Home Scheme is a shared-equity arrangement where the State takes a stake in your home to bridge the gap between your mortgage, your deposit and the price. Around two-thirds of First Home Scheme buyers also use Help to Buy.

Common questions

How much is Help to Buy worth?

Up to €30,000. You get the lowest of: €30,000, 10% of the purchase price, or the income tax and DIRT you've paid over the previous four years.

Does Help to Buy cover second-hand homes?

No. It only applies to new builds and self-builds. This is the most common reason claims are refused.

Is there a price limit?

Yes — €500,000. If the property costs more than that, no Help to Buy relief is available at all.

Do I need a certain mortgage size?

Yes. You must take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price. Cash buyers, or people borrowing very little, don't qualify.

Can I use Help to Buy and the First Home Scheme together?

Yes, and many buyers do — roughly two-thirds of First Home Scheme users also claim Help to Buy. They solve different parts of the affordability gap.

Check the official sources

This is a free estimate to help you understand your options — not financial, tax or investment advice. Rules, rates and thresholds change. Always confirm with the official source before acting.

Buying your first home?

There's more than one scheme — and plenty of buyers use two together. Our free checker runs through everything you may be entitled to.

Check what you're owed →