Posts Tagged ‘first-time homebuyer’s tax credit’

How can a home-buyer's tax credit hurt you?

November 5th, 2009
By: Eric Lundin

If you agree that the government should get involved more or less directly in running the economy, you probably agree that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a pretty good idea. All told, it provides more than $500 billion in spending on infrastructure, health care, education, energy, homeland security, and law enforcement, and $275 billion in tax cuts.

It's no secret that it included a provision to cut a home-buyer's federal tax bill by $8,000. According to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com, "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009."

This might come as a shock, but this legislation has some drawbacks.

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How can a home-buyer's tax credit help you?

October 29th, 2009
By: Eric Lundin

Whether it's a good idea or a bad one is a matter of perspective. It's a tax credit related to a mortgage, and it can put up to $8,000 into the pocket of first-time home buyers.

A quick look at housing start permits reveals the sad state of the residential construction industry. In January 2006, approximately 152,600 permits were issued for new-home construction. In January 2007, just 114,100 permits were issued. In January 2008, it was a mere 77,400. That's a 50 percent drop in two years.

According to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com, "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009."

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