FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS TAX CREDIT

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2008, Congress enacted a $7500 tax credit designed to be an incentive for first-time homebuyers to
purchase a home. The credit was designed as a mechanism to decrease the over-supply of homes for
sale.

For 2009, Congress has increased the credit to $8000 and made several additional improvements. This
revised $8000 tax credit applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

Tax Credits -- The Basics

1. What’s this new homebuyer tax incentive for 2009?

The 2008 $7500, repayable credit is increased to $8000 and the repayment feature is eliminated for
2009 purchasers. Any home that is purchased for $80,000 or more qualifies for the full $8000 amount.
If the house costs less than $80,000, the credit will be 10% of the cost. Thus, if an individual purchased a
home for $75,000, the credit would be $7500. It is available for the purchase of a principal residence
on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

2. Who is eligible?

Only first-time homebuyers are eligible. A person is considered a first-time buyer if he/she has not had
any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.

3. How does a tax credit work?

Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. Credits are claimed on an individual’s
income tax return. Thus, a qualified purchaser would figure out all the income items and exemptions
and make all the calculations required to figure out his/her total tax due. Then, once the total tax owed
has been computed, tax credits are applied to reduce the total tax bill. So, if before taking any credits
on a tax return a person has total tax liability of $9500, an $8000 credit would wipe out all but $1500 of
the tax due. ($9,500 - $8000 = $1500)

4. So what happens if the purchaser is eligible for an $8000 credit but their entire income tax liability
for the year is only $6000?

This tax credit is what’s called “refundable” credit. Thus, if the eligible purchaser’s total tax liability was
$6000, the IRS would send the purchaser a check for $2000. The refundable amount is the difference

between $8000 credit amount and the amount of tax liability. ($8000 - $6000 = $2000) Most taxpayers
determine their tax liability by referring to tables that the IRS prepares each year.

5. How does withholding affect my tax credit and my refund?

A few examples are provided at the end of this document. There are several steps in this calculation,
but most income tax software programs are equipped to make that determination.



6. 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. Individuals filing Form 1040 as Single (or Head of Household) are eligible for the
credit if their income is no more than $75,000. Married couples who file a Joint return may have income
of no more than $150,000.

7. How is my “income” determined?

For most individuals, income is defined and calculated in the same manner as their Adjusted Gross
Income (AGI) on their 1040 income tax return. AGI includes items like wages, salaries, interest and
dividends, pension and retirement earnings, rental income and a host of other elements. AGI is the final
number that appears on the bottom line of the front page of an IRS Form 1040.

8. What if I worked abroad for part of the year?

Some individuals have earned income and/or receive housing allowances while working outside the US.
Their income will be adjusted to reflect those items to measure Modified Adjusted Gross Income
(MAGI). Their eligibility for the credit will be based on their MAGI.

9. Do individuals with incomes higher than the $75,000 or $150,000 limits lose all the benefit of the
credit?

Not always. The credit phases-out between $75,000 - $95,000 for singles and $150,000 - $170,000 for
married filing joint. The closer a buyer comes to the maximum phase-out amount, the smaller the credit
will be. The law provides a formula to gradually withdraw the credit. Thus, the credit will disappear
after an individual’s income reaches $95,000 (single return) or $170,000 (joint return).

For example, if a married couple had income of $165,000, their credit would be reduced by 75% as
shown:

Couple’s income $165,000
Income limit 150,000
Excess income $15,000

The excess income amount ($15,000 in this example) is used to form a fraction. The numerator of the
fraction is the excess income amount ($15,000). The denominator is $20,000 (specified by the statute).

In this example, the disallowed portion of the credit is 75% of $8000, or $6000
($15,000/$20,000 = 75% x $8000 = $6000)

Stated another way, only 25% of the credit amount would be allowed.
In this example, the allowable credit would be $2000 (25% x $8000 = $2000)


10. What’s the definition of “principal residence?”
Generally, a principal residence is the home where an individual spends most of his/her time (generally
defined as more than 50%). It is also defined as “owner-occupied” housing. The term includes single-
family detached housing, condos or co-ops, townhouses or any similar type of new or existing dwelling.
Even some houseboats or manufactured homes count as principal residences.

11. Are there restrictions on the location of the property?

Yes. The home must be located in the United States. Property located outside the US is not eligible for
the credit.

12. Are there restrictions related to the financing for the mortgage on the property?

In 2009, most financing arrangements are acceptable and will not affect eligibility for the credit.
Congress eliminated the financing restriction that applied in 2008. (In 2008, purchasers were ineligible
for the $7500 credit if the financing was obtained by means of mortgage revenue bonds.) Now,
mortgage-revenue bond financing will not disqualify an otherwise-eligible purchaser. (Mortgage
revenue bonds are tax-exempt bonds issued by a state housing agency. Proceeds from the bonds must
be used for below market loans to qualified buyers.)

13. Do I have to repay the 2009 tax credit?

NO. There is no repayment for 2009 tax credits.

14. Do 2008 purchasers still have to repay their tax credit?

YES. The $7500 credit in 2008 was more like an interest-free loan. All eligible purchasers who claimed
the 2008 credit will still be required to repay it over 15 years, starting with their 2010 tax return.

Some Practical Questions

15. How do I apply for the credit?

There is no pre-purchase authorization, application or similar approval process. All eligible purchasers
simply claim the credit on their IRS Form 1040 tax return. The credit will be reflected on a new Form
5405 that will be attached to the 1040. Form 5405 can be found at www.irs.gov.




16. So I can’t use the credit amount as part of my downpayment?

No. Congress tried hard to devise a mechanism that would make the funds available for closing costs,
but found that pre-funding would require cumbersome processes that would, in effect, bring the IRS
into the purchase and settlement phase of the transaction.

17. So there’s no way to get any cash flow benefits before I file my tax return?

Yes, there is. Any first-time homebuyers who believe they are eligible for all or part of the credit can
modify their income tax withholding (through their employers) or adjust their quarterly estimated tax
payments. Individuals subject to income tax withholding would get an IRS Form W-4 from their
employer, follow the instructions on the schedules provided and give the completed Form W-4 back to
the employer. In many cases their withholding would decrease and their take-home pay would
increase. Those who make estimated tax payments would make similar adjustments.

Some “Real World” Examples

18. What if I purchase later this year but can’t get to settlement before December 1?

The credit is available for purchases before December 1, 2009. A home is considered as “purchased”
when all events have occurred that transfer the title from the seller to the new purchaser. Thus,
closings must occur before December 1, 2009 for purchases to be eligible for the credit.

19. I haven’t even filed my 2008 tax return yet. If I buy in 2009, do I have to wait until next year to
get the benefit of the credit?

You’ll have a helpful choice that might speed up the process. Eligible homebuyers who make their
purchase between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 can treat the purchase as if it had occurred on
December 31, 2008. Thus, they can claim the credit on their 2008 tax return that is due on April 15,
2009. They actually have three filing options.

If they purchase between January 1, 2009 and April 15, 2009, they can claim the $8000 credit on
the 2008 return due on April 15.
They can extend their 2008 income-tax filing until as late as October 15, 2009. (The IRS grants
automatic extensions, but the taxpayer must file for the extension. See www.irs.gov for
instructions on how to obtain an extension.)
If they have filed their 2008 return before they purchase the home, they may file an amended
2008 tax return on Form 1040X. (Form 1040X is available at www.irs.gov)

Of course, 2009 purchasers will always have the option of claiming the credit for the 2009 purchase on
their 2009 return. Their 2009 tax return is due on April 15, 2010.





20. I purchased my home in early 2009 before the stimulus bill was enacted. I claimed a $7500 tax
credit on my 2008 return as prior law had permitted. Am I restricted to just a $7500 credit?

No, you would qualify for the $8000 credit. Eligible purchasers who have already claimed the $7500
credit on a 2008 return for a 2009 purchase may file an amended return (IRS Form 1040X) for the 2008
tax year. This amended return will enable them to obtain the additional $500 credit amount.

21. If I claim my 2009 $8000 credit on my 2008 tax return, will I have to repay the credit just as the
2008 credits are repaid?

No. Congress anticipated this confusion and has made specific provision so that there would be no
repayment of 2009 credits that are claimed on 2008 returns.

22. I made an eligible purchase of a principal residence in May 2008 and claimed the $7500 credit on
my 2008 tax return. My brother, who has never owned a home, wishes to purchase a partial
interest in the home this spring and move in. Will he qualify for the $8000 credit, as well?

No. Any purchase of a principal residence (or interest in a principal residence) from a related party such
as a sibling, parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle is ineligible for the tax credit. Since you and your brother
are related in this way, he cannot qualify for the credit on any portion of the home that he purchases
from you, even if he is a first-time homebuyer.

23. I live in the District of Columbia. If I qualify as a first-time homebuyer, can I use both the $5000
DC credit and the $8000 credit?

No; double dipping is not allowed. You would be eligible for only the $8000 credit. This will be an
advantage because of the higher credit amount, plus the eligibility requirements for the $8000 credit are
somewhat more easily satisfied than the DC credit.

24. I know there is no repayment requirement for the $8000 credit. Will I ever have to repay any of
the credit back to the government?

One situation does require a recapture payment back to the government. If you claim the credit but
then sell the property within 3 years of the date of purchase, you are required to pay back the full
amount of any credit, including any refund you received from it. A few exceptions apply. (See below,
#24). Note that this same 3-year recapture rule applies, as well, to the $7500 credit available for 2008.
This provision is designed as an anti-flipping rule.

25. What if I die or get divorced or my property is ruined in a natural disaster within the 3 years?

The repayment rules are eased for many circumstances. If the homeowner who used the credit dies
within the first three years of ownership, there is no recapture. Special rules make adjustments for
people who sell homes as part of a divorce settlement, as well. Similarly, adjustments are made in the
case of a home that is part of an involuntary conversion (property is destroyed in a natural disaster or
subject to condemnation by eminent domain by an authorized agency) within the first three years.


26. I have a home under construction. Am I eligible for the credit?

Yes, so long as you actually occupy the home before December 1, 2009.


WITHHOLDING EXAMPLES:
Note: The impact of estimated tax payments would be the same.

Situation 1: Sally plans her withholding so that her withholding is as close as possible to what she
anticipates as her income tax liability for the year. When she fills out her 1040, her liability is $6000.
She has had $6000 withheld from her paycheck. She also qualifies for the $8000 homebuyer credit.

Result: Sally’s withholding satisfies her tax liability and reduces it to zero. She will receive a refund of
the full $8000.

Situation 2: Nick and Nora file a joint return. Nick is self-employed and makes estimated payments;
Nora has taxes withheld from her salary. When they compute their taxes, their combined withholding
and estimated tax payments are $11,000. Their income tax liability is $9800. They also qualified as first-
time homebuyers and are eligible for the $8000 refundable tax credit.

Result: Ordinarily, their combined estimated tax payments and withholding would make them eligible
for a refund of $1200 ($11,000 - $9800 = $1200). Because they are eligible for the refundable tax credit
as well, they will receive a refund of $9200 ($1200 income tax refund + $8000 refundable tax credit =
$9200)

Situation 3: Cesar and LuzMaria both have income taxes withheld from their salaries and file a joint
return. When they file their income tax return, their combined withholding is $5000. However, their
total tax liability is $7200, generating an additional income tax liability of $2200 ($7200 - $5000). They
also qualify for the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Result: Cesar and LuzMaria have been under-withheld by $2200. Ordinarily, they would be required to
pay the additional $2200 they owe (plus any applicable interest and penalties). Because they are eligible
for the refundable homebuyer tax credit, the credit will cover the $2200 additional liability. In addition,
they will receive an income tax refund of $5800 ($8000 - $2200 = $5800). If they owed penalties and/or
interest, that amount would reduce the refund.

SNOWBIRDS

The term Snowbird is used to describe people from the Northeast, or Midwestern United States, also Canadians who spend a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as Palm Springs, California.

Canadian and other Foreign Nationals are enjoying many buying opportunities in the US.

Smart Canadians have been flooding the Palm Springs market recently, finding factors in their favor in acquiring Palm Springs properties: Canadians can enjoy Palm Springs real estate prices at their lowest they have been in years. This won't last forever I promise that.

In order to help, we have put together a team of experienced experts to assist our Canadian neighbors with their purchases in the United States. Let us help you with the entire process, by providing the help and knowledge you need when you buy a home in Palm Springs:

Residential neighborhood experts, having worked in the Palm Springs market for nearly eight years, and can help you find the right neighborhood that meets your specific needs. They can help you with your financing options; providing in house lender counseling and pre-approvals Information regarding property taxes and other particulars associated with owning in the US.

Property Management and Rental Management information and assistance are also available, as well as exchange Rates and specific loans for Foreign Nationals.

Please feel free to call for any additional information any day of the week.
James David Mancini presents Palm Springs Living at its finest.

11th annual House and Garden Walk

11th annual House and Garden tour features four abodes in Palm Springs

The homes include:

Casa de Suenos: A Spanish- style home built in 1938. The property is in its original condition.

Tree Tall Palms: A post-and-beam modern home designed by Donald Wexler for Dinah Shore in 1963.

The other two homes, Sand Acre (a Spanish home rumored to have been frequented by Marilyn Monroe) and Casa Caja (a contemporary home designed by Doug Hudson and Erich Burkhart) which was toured recently by The Desert Sun.

There is nothing documented that says blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe stayed behind the tall hedges and great wood gates that hide Sand Acre, a Spanish home in the Movie Colony neighborhood built in the 1920s and 1930s.
“So we go with the rumor,” said Larry Rener, director of guest services for Homes Run, which manages the five-bedroom estate.

Sand Acre has the feel of an old Palm Springs home but with “modern amenities,” Rener said. The house features a twisting iron staircase leading to a tower bedroom, fireplaces inside and out, a tennis court, pool and spa, and citrus trees.

“It's totally private,” Rener said. “A lot of celebrities sneak in and out and no one even knows they are here.”

Despite having five bedrooms and six bathrooms, the home feels warm and cozy, with exposed wood beams, hardwood floors and soft furniture.

The picturesque hacienda rents for about $1,800 a night.
Doug Hudson and Erich Burkhart have rented their Old Las Palmas home several times for catalogue shoots — including a catalogue for Design Within Reach.

Photographers appreciate its intense mountain views, privacy and indoor/outdoor features. But the couple's home isn't a conventional house, Hudson said.
It has just two smallish bedrooms that connect in the center via a spacious bathroom with glass walls.

The living area was designed around a ceiling-high fireplace and walls of bookshelves. And the kitchen island is a giant slab of granite. The walls of the home open on several sides to the outdoors, leading to several seating areas, a casita and pool.

“The expectation of a five- bedroom house for the two of us (wasn't practical),” Hudson said, perched in a low-slung chair around an outdoor fire pit. “The house (instead) is one big room. It's very personal for the two of us. We weren't thinking resale.”

Unlike many contemporary homes that sport solely modern furniture, Hudson and Burkhart's home is full of an eclectic mix of finds from 1960s London, Cuba, Asian antiques and German Plexiglas cubes. Designing the home was a departure for Hudson and Burkhart, who previously worked on research facilities and hospitals. Hudson recently finished working as the director of design for the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.

“This house was so satisfying,” Hudson said.
It was also well received. It was completed in 2002 and in 2005, it was featured in Metropolitan Home Magazine. This brought Hudson more recognition in the desert and before long, he found himself working full time in Palm Springs — designing both custom homes and working on Port Lawrence in downtown Palm Springs.
His partner still works in Marina del Rey and they kept their mid-century modern home in Beverly Hills.

Palm Springs, however, is Hudson's home. He enjoys reading by the fireplace and entertaining outdoors. “(Here) we met all our neighbors really quickly,” Hudson said. “At our house in L.A., we don't know our neighbors.”

Photographers appreciate its intense mountain views, privacy and indoor/outdoor features. But the couple's home isn't a conventional house, Hudson said.

It has just two smallish bedrooms that connect in the center via a spacious bathroom with glass walls. The living area was designed around a ceiling-high fireplace and walls of bookshelves. And the kitchen island is a giant slab of granite. The walls of the home open on several sides to the outdoors, leading to several seating areas, a casita and pool.

“The expectation of a five- bedroom house for the two of us (wasn't practical),” Hudson said, perched in a low-slung chair around an outdoor fire pit. “The house (instead) is one big room. It's very personal for the two of us. We weren't thinking resale.”


Unlike many contemporary homes that sport solely modern furniture, Hudson and Burkhart's home is full of an eclectic mix of finds from 1960s London, Cuba, Asian antiques and German Plexiglas cubes.

Designing the home was a departure for Hudson and Burkhart, who previously worked on research facilities and hospitals. Hudson recently finished working as the director of design for the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.


“This house was so satisfying,” Hudson said.
It was also well received. It was completed in 2002 and in 2005, it was featured in Metropolitan Home Magazine. This brought Hudson more recognition in the desert and before long, he found himself working full time in Palm Springs — designing both custom homes and working on Port Lawrence in downtown Palm Springs.

His partner still works in Marina del Rey and they kept their mid-century modern home in Beverly Hills. Palm Springs, however, is Hudson's home. He enjoys reading by the fireplace and entertaining outdoors.
“(Here) we met all our neighbors really quickly,” Hudson said. “At our house in L.A., we don't know our neighbors.”

Stefanie Frith covers Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at 778-4757or stefanie.frith@thedesertsun.com.


The 11th annual House and Garden Walk will take place from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15. Four architecturally significant homes will be open for a self-guided tour that raises money for Jewish Family Service. The organization provides counseling, in-home care, meals and transportation for seniors, family education, homeless services, and support groups for Coachella Valley residents. Homes designed by Donald Wexler and Doug Hudson, as well as two Spanish-style estates will be featured. The cost is $75. Information: 325-4088.

Purchasing a Second Home or a Vacation Home

The Tax Benefits of Purchasing a Second Home or a Vacation Home

Your second home or vacation property can offer you significant tax advantages. Depending on how often you use your vacation home yourself, how often you rent it out, and how long it sits empty, you will fall into one of three different tax categories.

The first area includes homes that are rented out often but that are still used often by the owner. Specifically, this applies to homes that are rented more than 14 days a year and have personal use of more than 14 days or 10% of the rental days, whichever is greater. Personal use includes use by family members and anyone else who pays less than market rental rates.Vacation homes fitting this description are considered personal residences. This helps you, because you can deduct interest on up to $1 million of mortgage debt on two personal residences and up to an additional $100,000 for home equity loans. Property taxes are generally deductible, no matter how many homes you own.

The second vacation-home tax category typically applies to houses that are used very little by the owner. Your home will fall under the tax rules for rental properties rather than for personal residences if you rent more than 14 days a year and if your personal use doesn’t exceed 14 days or 10% of the rental days, whichever is greater. Interest, property taxes and operating expenses will all be allocated based on the total number of days the house was used.

The final category is a rarity in the tax laws: It is simple and benefits the taxpayer. This one applies to homes that are rented for fewer than 15 days a year and used by the owner for more than 14 days. These homes are considered personal residences, so you simply deduct the interest and property taxes the same as you would for your primary residence. You need not declare a penny of the income.When buying a second/vacation home, interest is fully deductible. In fact, with your additional property you can even rent it out part of the year and still take full advantage of the mortgage interest deduction as long as you also spend some time there.Be careful. If you don't vacation at least 14 days at your second property, or more than 10 percent of the number of days that you do rent it out (whichever is longer), the IRS could consider the place a residential rental property and cut your interest deduction. All information should be verified with your tax advisor as updates to the tax laws may effect each individuals outcome.

Considering a second home or vacation property has never been more attractive then now, with home prices slashed nearly 45% in some great areas of California including Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley. Let me help you find that dream home or vacation property.

James David Mancini Realtor Associate CCR Properties, Inc. Palm Springs, CA

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