Military Personnel Can Still Claim The $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit

Filed under Homebuyer Tax Credit by on March 7, 2011 at 7:47 am {no comments}

Tax credit extended for military householdsFor certain members of the military, and for certain federal employees, there’s just 2 months remaining to get use the federal home buyer .

Eligible persons include members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service, and intelligence community employees who served at least 90 days of qualified, extended duty service outside of the United States between January 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Spouses of persons meeting the above criteria are eligible as well.

The federal home buyer tax credit ranges up to $8,000 for first-time , and up to $6,500 for existing homeowners. Existing homeowners must have lived in their “main home” through 5 of the last 8 years to be eligible.

Claiming the federal tax credit is a two-step process. First, eligible persons must be under contract for a new home on or before April 30, 2011.  The home’s closing must then occur on or before June 30, 2011. 

The does not make date exceptions.

Furthermore, both the buyer(s) and the subject property must meet certain minimum :

(more…)

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Don’t Leave Tax Credits On The Table (And How To Get Them Back If You Already Filed)

Filed under Tax Tips by on April 8, 2010 at 7:40 am {no comments}

Taxes are due April 15 and if you’re among the millions of Americans who wait until the last week to file, here’s a video interview that could help you reduce your federal tax liability.

Originally broadcast by NBC’s The Today Show, the 4-minute piece reviews various tax credits and deductions, plus some recent tax law changes.  A few of the topics covered include:

  • Tax filers receiving larger “personal exemptions” in 2009 versus 2008
  • Unemployment income recipients being required pay taxes beyond the first $2,400 received
  • The “first time” home buyer credit being extended to non-first time for up to $6,500

The interview also talks about how taking a parent, child or other family member into your home may change your tax filing status and reduce your tax liability.

Even if you’ve filed your taxes already, watch the video above. You may find that you missed a potential deduction. If that’s the case, consider filing an amended return with the to recapture the credits you left on the table.  Most times, the benefits of re-filing will outweigh the costs of doing it.

Be sure to talk with your tax professional for personal tax advice.

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$8,000 Tax Credit Ends In 7 Weeks

Filed under Homebuyer Tax Credit by on March 9, 2010 at 7:47 am {no comments}

In November, Congress extended and expanded the First-Time Home Buyer program to include a subset of “move-up” buyers — homeowners that have owned and lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years.

The credit ranges up to $8,000 per buyer. There’s now just 7 weeks left to take advantage.

To be eligible, must be under contract for a new home no later than April 30, 2010, and must be closed no later than June 30, 2010.

In addition to meeting the deadline dates, there’s a basic set of requirements to be tax credit-eligible:

  • You can’t purchase the home from a parent, spouse, or child
  • You can’t purchase the home from an entity in which the seller is a majority owner
  • You can’t acquire the home by gift or inheritance
  • Each buyer in the purchase must meet

There’s other criteria, too.

For one, the sales price on the subject property cannot exceed $800,000. Homes sold for more than $800,000 are ineligible for the tax credit. Furthermore, households earning more than $125,000 as single-filers, or $225,500 for joint-filers, are ineligible.

You can read the complete eligibility requirements at the IRS website, or, you may just find it simpler to speak with your accountant about it. There are some nuances in qualifying for and claiming the tax credit on your returns and getting a professional’s opinion is always wise.

And lastly, don’t forget that government’s tax credit program is a true tax credit. It’s not a tax deduction.  This means that a tax filer whose “normal” tax liability is $3,500 and who is eligible for $8,000 in credit will receive a $4,500 refund from the U.S. Treasury.

Mark your calendar for April 30, 2010. It’s 7 weeks away and you can be sure that as the date gets closer, buyer traffic is going to increase.  You may find sellers more willing to negotiate today than several weeks from now.

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There’s 100 Days Left To Claim The Homebuyer Tax Credit

Filed under Homebuyer Tax Credit by on January 20, 2010 at 7:46 am {no comments}

100 days remain for the Home Buyer Tax Credit ExpirationVersion 3.0 of the expires in 100 days.

The end of the first time home buyer $8,000 tax credit has been pushed forward to spring, requiring homebuyers to be under contract for a home no later than April 30, 2010, and to be closed no later than June 30, 2010.

In addition, “move-up” buyers were also added to the program’s eligibility list.  This means that you don’t have to be a first-time home buyer to be eligible for the tax credit.  If you’ve lived in your home for 5 of the last 8 years, you meet the requirements.  Tax credits of up to $6,500 on the “move-up” or “long-term residents” program.

The basic are still the same:

  • You can’t purchase the home from a parent, spouse, or child
  • You can’t purchase the home from an entity in which they’re a majority owner
  • You can’t acquire the home by gift or inheritance
  • All parties to the purchase must meet eligibility requirements

There are still some notable changes.

First, the subject property’s sales price may not exceed $800,000. Over $800k?  Fully ineligible.  The good:  household income thresholds have been raised to $125,000 for single-filers and $225,500 for joint-filers.

    And lastly, don’t forget that the program is a true tax credit — not a deduction.  This means that a tax filer who’s eligible for the full $8,00 credit and whose “normal” tax liability totals $5,000 would receive a $3,000 refund from the U.S. Treasury at tax time.

    The complete list of qualifying criteria is posted on the IRS website.  Review it with a tax professional to determine your eligibility.  Then mark your calendar for April 30, 2010.

    There’s just 100 days to go.

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