New 2010 Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Fact Sheet

Who is Eligible

• First-time home buyers, who are identified by law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
• Existing home owners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence ("repeat buyer"), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
• All U. S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in this propram.

 Income Limits

• Home buyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000
• For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
• Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between$125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
• The credit is not not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.

Effective Dates

• The Eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010.  However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.

Types of Homes that Qualify

• All homes with a purchase price of less that $800,000 qualify, including newly constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence.  Vacation home and rental property purchase do NOT qualify.

Tax Credit is Refundable

• A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.
• For example:   A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay NOTHING to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government.  If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time income buyer credit).
• A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government.  If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
• All qualified home buyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.

Payback Provisions

• The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.

The above information is deemed to be accurate but not warranted.  Consult your tax advisor for specific advice regarding your personal situation. Time is limited for you to take advantage of this new Federal Program.  We want to be your Realtors of choice! Contact us at 770-977-8320 today for further information.  List your home now so you can buy by April 30!