Top Product Ratings:  TVs  |  Digital Cameras  |  Washing Machines  |  Vacuum Cleaners  |  GPS  |  SUVs  |  Car Seats  |  Strollers
| More
IRS: First-time homebuyers can claim tax credit this year or next
Feb 25, 2009 12:01 PM

Through the economic stimulus package, first-time homebuyers are eligible for a tax credit worth up to $8,000, and today the Internal Revenue Service announced that those who qualify and buy a house before the end of 2009 have the option to claim the tax credit in this year's taxes or next year's.

"For first-time homebuyers this year, this special feature can put money in their pockets right now rather than waiting another year to claim the tax credit," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This important change gives qualifying homebuyers cash they do not have to pay back."

Some details from the IRS:

This year, qualifying taxpayers who buy a home before Dec. 1, 2009, can claim the credit on either their 2008 or 2009 tax returns. They do not have to repay the credit, provided the home remains their main home for 36 months after the purchase date. They can claim 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.

The amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers.

For purposes of the credit, you are considered to be a first-time homebuyer if you, and your spouse if you are married, did not own any other main home during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase.


Please check IRS.gov for more information.

Post a comment

Comments:

3
Expand All
Collapse All

Nobody Tests Like We Do

Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:

  • Performance
  • Safety
  • Reliability