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Q. What is the credit?
A. The first-time homebuyer credit was expanded in 2009 for homes purchased in 2009, increasing the amount of the credit and eliminating the requirement to repay the credit, unless the home ceases to be your principal residence within the 36-month period beginning on the purchase date.
Q. How much is the credit?
A. The credit is 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000 if you purchased your home in 2009. The full credit is available for homes costing $75,000 or more ($80,000 if purchased after Dec. 31, 2008, and before Dec. 1, 2009).
Q. Which home purchases qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?
A. Any home purchased as the taxpayer’s principal residence and located in the United States qualifies. You must buy the home before Dec. 1, 2009, to qualify for the credit. You can qualify for the credit if you (and your spouse, if married) have not owned a home in the three years prior to a purchase. For an eligible purchase in 2009, you can choose to claim the credit on the 2009 income tax return.
Q. Can I apply for the credit if I bought a vacation home or rental property?
A. No. Vacation homes and rental property do not qualify for this credit.
Q. Who is considered to be a first-time homebuyer?
A. Taxpayers who have not owned another principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase.
Q. When do I have to buy a new home to get the credit?
A. The home must be purchased after April 8, 2008, and before Dec. 1, 2009, in order to obtain the credit. For a home you construct, the purchase date is considered to be the date you first occupy the home.
Q. How do I apply for the credit?
A. The credit is claimed on new IRS Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit, and filed with your 2008 or 2009 federal income tax return.
Q. Are there income limits?
A. Yes. The credit is reduced or eliminated for higher income taxpayers. The credit is phased out based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). For a married couple filing a joint return, the phase-out range is $150,000 to $170,000. For other taxpayers, the phase-out range is $75,000 to $95,000. This means that the full credit is available for married couples filing a joint return whose MAGI is $150,000 or less and for other taxpayers whose MAGI is $75,000 or less.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.IRS.gov | 
