12 AprTax Credit Extended for Some

As we all know, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is almost at its end.  Qualified buyers must be under contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010 to claim their credit.  We wanted to point out a provision in the law that may have previously gone unnoticed.

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase.

Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

In many cases, the credit repayment (recapture) requirement is waived for members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community. This relief applies where a home is sold or stops being the taxpayer’s principal residence after Dec. 31, 2008, in connection with government orders received by the individual (or the individual’s spouse) for qualified official extended duty service. The credit is still allowable even if this happens during the year of purchase.

Qualified official extended duty is any period of extended duty while serving at a place of duty at least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence (whether inside or outside the U.S.) or while residing under government orders in government quarters. Extended duty is defined as any period of duty pursuant to a call or order to such duty for a period in excess of 90 days or for an indefinite period.

If the tax credit is extended for any reason, we’ll post about it immediately and as long as you are a subscriber, you’ll be notified the morning after we post.

About the Author | Scott & Marla Wynn

Scott & Marla Wynn are mortgage lenders with a focus on education. We believe an educated customer is our best customer. The mortgage industry has complicated the process of obtaining a mortgage so much that most customers believe the best way to select a mortgage lender is to inquire about rates and fees. Although rates and fees are an important part of the mortgage process, there are much more important areas to be concerned with. Lending A Hand was created to pass along our experience, knowledge and research to YOU to allow you to become a more educated mortgage customer. If you are planning a home purchase or refinance and live in the state of Colorado, we hope you select the Wynn Team as your mortgage lender!