Real Estate news

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8000 for qualified first-time home buyers and established a tax credit of up to $6500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence.

$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

· The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

· The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

· The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.

· The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

· The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

· For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

· For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

· To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.

· The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

· The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.

· The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

· The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

· Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Lynn Rawlinson, Associate Broker

Coldwell Banker Towne Realty

Montgomery, Alabama   334-467-5727