First Time Buyers
Existing Home Owners
• The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home
buyers only. For the tax credit program, the
IRS defines a first-time home buyer as
someone who has not owned a principal
residence during the three-year period prior to
the purchase.

• The tax credit does not have to be repaid
unless the home is sold or ceases to be used
as the buyer’s principal residence within three
years after the initial purchase.

• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the
home’s purchase price up to a maximum of
$8,000.

• The tax credit applies only to homes priced
at $800,000 or less.

• The tax credit now applies to sales occurring
on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before
April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a
binding sales contract is signed by April 30,
2010, a home purchase completed by June 30,
2010 will qualify.

• For homes purchased on or after January 1,
2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the
income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers
and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

• For homes purchased after November 6,
2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single
taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and
married couples with incomes up to $225,000
qualify for the full tax credit.
• To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers
must have owned and lived in their previous
home for five consecutive years out of the
last eight years.

• The tax credit does not have to be repaid
unless the home is sold or ceases to be used
as the buyer’s principal residence within
three years after the initial purchase.

• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the
home’s purchase price up to a maximum of
$6,500.

• The tax credit applies only to homes priced
at $800,000 or less.

• The credit is available for homes purchased
after November 6, 2009 and on or before April
30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding
sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the
home purchase qualifies provided it is
completed by June 30, 2010.

• Single taxpayers with incomes up to
$125,000 and married couples with incomes
up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
by 1st time buyers
Frequently Asked Questions
by Existing Homeowners
$8,000
$6,500