Who is eligible?

• Tax credit is available to first time home buyers for 10% of purchase price or up to $8,000.
• Tax credit up to $6,500 is available for current home owners who have owned their current home for at least 5 years.
• The law defines a first time home buyer as a buyer who has not owned a home during the past three years.
• All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in this program.

Do any income limits exist?

• Yes.  Home buyers who file as single head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full tax credit if their modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $125,000.
• For married couples filing a joint return, the income limit doubles to $250,000.
• Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn over $125,000 may be eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit.
• Married couple who earn over $250,000 may be eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit.

Are there payback provisions?

• No.  Unlike the Tax Credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid.  Homeowners must use the home as a principle residence for at least three years or face recapture of the tax credit amount.  Certain exemptions apply.

• First-time home buyers would receive the tax credit for the purchase of any home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.  To qualify, the home buyer must actually close on the sale of the home during this period.  NOW EXTENDED if sales agreement is signed by April 30, 2010 (closing to take place by June 30, 2010) so start NOW!
  

• All home types qualify, provided that the home will be used as a principal residence
  
• This includes newly-constructed homes

• A refundable credit means that if you pay less than the tax credit's value in federal income taxes, then the government will write you a check for the difference.
  • If you are due to receive a tax refund from the government, your refund will increase by the amount of the tax credit.
  • Buyers can take advantage of the tax credit on their 2008 or 2009 tax returns on home purchased after January 1, 2009.  For homes purchased after January 1, 2010, the tax credit would be on either 2009 or 2010 tax returns.
    

• Yes, the tax credit can be combined with the MRB home buyer program.

• No, but if the home was purchased between April 9, 2008 and January 1, 2009 they may qualify for the $7,500.00 federal tax credit of 2008.