Posts Tagged buyer

Something for the Rest of Us!! – Home Buyer Tax Credit Update

Did you notice the lack of the words “First Time” in the title.  Here’s a little something for those of us who already own a piece of the American dream.  If last year’s tax credit was enough to get first time buyers into the market, let’s hope that this stimulates things even more.

Congress and President Obama have seen fit to extend the Home Buyer Tax Credit into 2010, and they have significantly increased the scope of the incentive.  It is now available to anyone homeowner who meets certain income guidelines and sells their home between Nov 7, 2009 and May 31, 2010.  And the definition of sell is now translated as enter into a contract to sell by May 31, 2010 and close by Jul 31, 2010.

Homebuyer Tax Credit — Revised November 2009

FEATURE Jan. 1 – Nov. 30, 2009
Rules As Enacted
February 2009		 Nov. 7 – Apr. 30, 2010
Rules As Enacted
November 2009
First-time Buyer – Amount of Credit $8,000 ($4,000 married filing separate) $8,000 ($4,000 married filing separate)
First-time Buyer – Definition for Eligibility May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase Same
Current Homeowner – Amount of Credit No Provision $6,500 ($3,250 married filing separate)
Effective Date – Current Owner No Provision November 7, 2009
Current Homeowner – Definition for Eligibility No Provision Must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years
Termination of Credit Purchases after November 30, 2009.
(Becomes April 30, 2010 on November 7, 2009)		 Purchases after April 30, 2010
Binding Contract Rule None So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close
Income Limits (Note: Increased income limits are effective as of November 7, 2009) $75,000 – single
$150,000 – married
Additional $20,000 phase out		 $125,000 – single
$225,000 – married
Additional $20,000 phase out
Limitation on Cost of Purchased Home None $800,000
November 7, 2009
Purchase by a Dependent No Provision Ineligible
November 7, 2009
Anti-fraud Rule None Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return

Source: National Association of Realtors

 

The tax credit to existing homeowners is up to $6,500, so if you were thinking about upgrading the homestead, now is definitely the time to act. Low interest rates, great buys available in the market, and a tax credit to boot – it’s the “perfect storm” for making the move to the larger house, or the incentive to finally downsize into the cozy home, depending on your vantage point of life.

In upcoming posts, I’ll examine some financial strategies for accessing this tax credit during the course of your transaction. Stay tuned…