The principal residence exemption allows you to sell your home without paying capital gains tax, provided it was your primary home for every year you owned it.

A principal residence is a housing unit that:

• you own alone or jointly with another person,
• you, your current or former partner, or any of your children lived in at some time during the year, and
• you designate as your principal residence for the year.

If you were a non-resident of Canada for any years you owned the property, please call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 for advice as directed on form T2091.

Learn more from the CRA.