Am I covered?

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Am I covered?Six quick questions show the cover your build needs.

Used at Stage 3: Arrange finance and budget

How much Help to Buy could you get?

Try an example for your self-build.

Your lender’s approved value, including the site.

Mortgage only. Leave out funding given in exchange for an ownership share in your home (shared equity).

Total income tax and DIRT (tax on savings interest) paid in the four tax years before you apply. USC and PRSI don't count.

Your figures stay on this device.

Example: change the numbers to see yours.

Your Help to Buy refund estimate

€28,000

You could get this tax back towards your self-build, if Revenue approves your claim.

Based on
The lowest of these three limits
Scheme cap for your dates€35,000
10% of €380,000€38,000
Income tax and tax on savings interestThis limits your refund€28,000

Application: 1 Feb 2027 · First bank payment: 1 Mar 2027.

Your mortgage is 78.95% of the home value, meeting the 70% minimum. Revenue still checks the other conditions.

What to do next

  1. Check your tax records and all eligibility conditions
  2. Apply to Revenue and confirm your refund before counting on it

Your lender may need building insurance before its first payment.

See what cover I need

This is an estimate from the figures you enter; confirm your refund with Revenue before you rely on it.

Claim conditions and save your result

You must be a first-time buyer, have filed your tax returns and paid any tax you owe, and live in the home for five years. A solicitor registered with Revenue verifies your self-build claim. Check all Help to Buy conditions before applying.

How this is worked out
  • The refund is the lowest of the cap for your dates, 10% of the lender-approved valuation (5% if your first drawdown is before 23 July 2020, under the original scheme) and the income tax and DIRT you paid in the four tax years before you apply. Caps: €20,000 for 1 January 2017 to 22 July 2020, €30,000 to 6 October 2026, €35,000 from 7 October 2026 to 31 December 2029.
  • The €35,000 cap applies if your first drawdown is between 7 October 2026 and 31 December 2029, even if you applied earlier. The original scheme (first drawdown before 23 July 2020) pays up to 5% of the value and €20,000. An application made before 23 July 2020 with a first drawdown on or after it counts as the enhanced scheme (10% of the value), with the cap set by the drawdown date: €30,000 for drawdowns up to 6 October 2026, €35,000 after that. The calculator takes the cap from the first drawdown date and says when your two dates fall in different periods. Confirm the answer with Revenue.
  • This checks only the valuation limit (€500,000) and the mortgage test (at least 70% of the valuation). The guide covers each condition and when you may have to repay the refund.
  • Source: Revenue’s refund limits and property and mortgage conditions, checked 20 October 2026. Revenue gives you a maximum refund when you apply.

Guides that explain these figures

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