Quick Question & Answer on the 2008 Housing Bill

Who is Eligible for the 2008 Tax Credit?

• The $7,500 tax credit is available for first-time homebuyers who purchased a home between April 9, 2008 and Dec 31, 2008.
   
• A first-time homebuyer is defined as a buyer who has not owned a home during the past 3 years.

Are there Income Limits?

• For single or head of household taxpayers:
  Income less than $75,000 can claim the full $7,500 credit
  Income $75,000 - $95,000 receive partial credit
  Income over $95,000 credit is not available
   
• For married filing jointly taxpayers:
  Income less than $150,000 can claim the full $7,500 credit
  Income $150,000 - $170,000 receive partial credit
  Income over $170,000 credit is not available

Is there a time period that the credit is available?

First-time homebuyers are eligible for the credit on home purchases made between April 9, 2008 and Dec 31, 2008.

Isn't there a newer credit for purchases made in 2009?

Yes, there is. Click here to learn more about the $8,000 tax credit.

What if I owe less than $7500 in taxes; will I get money back?

The tax credit is refundable. This means that if you pay less than $7,500 in federal income taxes, then the government will write you a check for the difference.

• For example if you owe $5,000 in taxes you would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $2,500 payment from the government.
• If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund from the government, your refund would grow to $8,500 ($1,000 refund + $7,500 from tax credit).

What types of homes qualify for the credit?

All homes, whether single-family, townhomes, or condominium apartments will qualify, provided that the home will be used as a principal residence and the buyer has not owned a home in the last 3 years. This also includes new contruction homes.

How is the credit paid back?

The tax credit essentially serves as an interest-free loan to be repaid over 15 years.

• For example a $7500 credit would be repaid $500 per year for 15 years.
• If the home owner sold the home, then the remaining credit would be due from the profit of the home sale. If there was insufficient profit, then the remaining credit payback would be forgiven.

Features of the 2008 Tax Credit for First-Time Home Buyers

Frequently Asked Questions about 2008 Tax Credit

The Basics

1. How does a tax credit work?
   Tax credits are special provisions that reduce income tax liability on a dollar for dollar basis. Credits are claimed on an individuals' income tax return. In this case, Congress has created a tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The maximum credit amount is $7500. Thus, if after figuring out all the income tax items, if a person had a tax liability of $8000, a $7500 credit applied to that would mean that only $500 tax would be due. If a person had a tax refund of $500, applying the $7500 credit would mean that the person would receive a refund of $8000.
    
2. Who can use the new tax credit?
   Only first-time homebuyers are eligible to use the credit. A first-time homebuyer is defined as an individual who has not had an ownership interest in a principal residence in the previous 3 years.
    
3. Is there an income restriction?
   Yes. The income restriction is based on the tax filing status the purchaser claims when filing his/her income tax return. For full credit - Single or Head of Household status are eligible if their income is no more than $75,000. Joint return status may have an income no more than $150,000. Partial credits are available for single/head of household between $75,000 - $95,000 or joint between $150,000-$170,000.
    
4. Is the amount of the credit tied to the price of the home?
   Yes. The credit is for 10% the cost of the home, up to a maximum credit of $7500. If a home cost $65,000, the allowable credit would be $6500. If a home cost $120,000, the allowable credit would be $7500. The amount of the credit is the same for all taxpayers, married or single.
    
5. What's the definition of a "principal residence"?
   A principal residence is the home where an individual spends most of his/her time (generally defined as more than 50%). Thee term includes single-family detached housing, condos or co-ops, townhouses or any similar type of new or existing dwelling.
    
6. Why do some news reports call the credit an interest-free loan?
   Unlike most other tax credits, this tax incentive must be paid back. The credit must be repaid over 15 years. The statue specifies that the repayment amount will be 6.67% of the credit amount each year. Thus, a buyer who qualifies for the full $7500 credit will repay $502.50 each year. There will be no interest charge on outstanding balanced.

Some Practical Questions

1. How do I apply for the credit?
   Eligible purchasers will simply claim the credit on their IRS tax return form.
    
2. My sister and I are both single and want to purchase a home together. Will we each receive a $7500 credit?
   No. The purchase of a residence will generate a tax credit amount that will total up to no more than $7500, no matter how many unmarried purchasers are buying the house.

Repaying the Credit from 2008 Housing Bill

1. What is the repayment feature of the credit?
   The repayment feature of the credit is similar to a recapture provision: in some circumstances the tax system takes back all of part of a tax benefit. In this case, there is no precedent for repayment of a tax credit created for individuals, so not much is known about how the repayment will occur, how it will be reflected at settlement (or on sales forms) or how the IRS will collect and enforce the payments. The repayment is the equivalent of converting the tax credit into an interest-free loan.
    
2. What are the terms for repayment?
   The credit amount is repay in increments of 6.67% of the credit amount over 15 years. For individuals who take the full $7500 credit, the repayment will be about $502.50 a year.
    
3. What if I sell my house before the 15-year repayment period is complete?
   When the person who used the credit sells the home, any amount of tax credit that has not been repaid will be due in the year of the sale. For example, if an individual still "owed" $4000 in repayments and realized $25,000 of proceeds from the sale, the $25,000 of seller proceeds would be reduced to $21,000 and $4000 will be remitted to the IRS. The mechanics of how the IRS will carry this out are unknown.
    
4. What if there's very little gain (or even a loss) on the sale and the proceeds won't cover the repayment amount?
   If the gain on the sale is less than the amount that must be repaid, part of the liability is forgiven. For example, if the individual still "owed" $4000 but the gain on the sale was only $3500, then the seller would not be required to repay the IRS the $500 shortfall. If there was no gain or even a loss, then the remaining $4000 would not be repaid.
    
5. Are there other exceptions to the repayment rules?
   Yes. If the person who utilized the credit dies before the full credit amount has been repaid, then any balance that remains unpaid is disregarded. Special rules make adjustments for people who sell homes as part of a divorce, homes that are destroyed in natural disasters or are subject to condemnation.

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