The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was an attempt to motivate the moribund market, and offers new home buyers a tax credit. This credit is generally around ten percent of the cost, up to a total of $8,000.
Under this provision, the first-time home buyer is defined as somebody who did not own a principal home within three years before the qualifying home was purchased. This applies to the person’s spouse, as both married taxpayers’ home ownership history will be verified.
Taxpayers’ dependents and those younger than 18 years of age are not eligible for the tax credit program. Also, the tax credit is applicable only to homes not more than $800,000, and will be paid back if the property is sold or once it is no longer the buyer’s principal home within three years after it was acquired.
If you bought your house between 01 January 2009 and 06 November 2009 then you have to earn less than $75,000 if you are single and $150,000 if you are married. On the other hand, if you bought it after 06 November 2009, but before 30 April 2010, then the corresponding income limits are $125,000 and $225,000 depending on your personal situation.
Official forms have to be completed and some documentations are required for buyers to claim the tax credit. They need to complete IRS Form 5405, which has to be attached with the HUD-1 settlement form.
In cases where the HUD-1 does not apply, one can use a copy of the certificate of occupancy instead. For purchases made in 2010, the buyer has the option of claiming the credit on either the 2009 or 2010 tax return.
In order to be eligible for the tax credit, the transaction should have taken place between 01 January 2009 and 30 April 2010. If the binding deed of sale was signed by 30 April 2010, it must be consummated on or before 30 June 2010.
Recently, there have been proposals for an extension of the deadline to close the transaction be moved to 30 September 2010. According to various realtor groups, the tax credit has created a rush to buy homes, which in turn created a big backlog in completing sales.
The individual has been contributing articles pertaining to tax credits for the last five years. In addition, this writer is fond of blogging regarding NYC neighborhood subjects, including apartments in Midtown along with Sutton Place apartments.
