The Senate voted last night (11/4) to extend and expand the tax credit for homebuyers that was scheduled to expire Nov. 30. The House is expected to schedule a quick vote on the bill as early as today 11/5 as part of a package that also extends unemployment benefits for people out of work more than a year. The White House indicated that the President will sign the legislation.

How the homebuyer tax credit would work:

• Tax credit: Ten percent of the purchase price of a primary residence, up to a maximum of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010. First-time homebuyers are defined as people who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Repeat buyers must have owned their current home at least five years. The credit cannot be used for houses costing more than $800,000.
• Deadline for qualifying: Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.
• Military deadline: The deadline is extended by a year for members of the military who have served outside the U.S. for at least 90 days from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2010.
• Income limits: Individuals with annual incomes up to $125,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full credit. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.
• How to apply: Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue a payment. Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their tax returns for 2008 to claim the credit.
• New anti-fraud limitations imposed.
• Cost: $10.8 billion.

Source: Bloomberg Press and Associated Press and confirmed information with the content of the Senate bill

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