Real Estate Blog

President Obama today signed a bill extending and expanding the Federal Tax Credit for Home Buyers. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday and the U.S. Senate late Wednesday.  It's now official, the deadline for the first time home buyer's tax credit has been extended to June 30, 2010*. Also, current home buyers can now take advantage of a $6,500 tax credit in some cases.

The new provisions include the following changes:

• *Taxpayers must purchase their home, or be locked into a contract to close, before midnight on April 30, 2010. The closing must occur before midnight on June 30, 2010.
• The credit is allowed in full for those with incomes up to $125,000 ($225,000 if married filing joint). The credit is reduced for taxpayers with an income between $125,000 and $145,000 ($225,000 and $245,000 if married filing joint) and is not available for taxpayers with an income higher than $145,000 ($245,000 if married filing joint).
• Taxpayers (and their spouses) who have lived in their home for five consecutive years out of the eight years preceding closing on a new house may qualify for a reduced credit ($6,500 or $3,250 for those who file separately