New IRS tax credit forms and instructions

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WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today released the new form that eligible homebuyers need to claim the first-time homebuyer credit this tax season and announced processing of those tax returns will begin in mid-February. The IRS also announced new documentation requirements to deter fraud related to the first-time homebuyer credit.
The new form and instructions follow major changes in November to the homebuyer credit by the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. The new law extended the credit to a broader range of home purchasers and added new documentation requirements to deter fraud and ensure taxpayers properly claim the credit.
With the release of Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit, and the related instructions, eligible homebuyers can now start to file their 2009 tax returns. Taxpayers claiming the homebuyer credit must file a paper tax return because of the added documentation requirements.
The IRS expects to start processing 2009 tax returns claiming the homebuyer credit in mid-February after it completes the updating and testing of systems to meet the law’s new requirements. The updates allow the IRS to put in place critical systemic checks to deter fraud related to the homebuyer credit.
Some of these early taxpayers claiming the homebuyer credit may see tax refunds take an additional two to three weeks.
In addition to filling out a Form 5405, all eligible homebuyers must include with their 2009 tax returns one of the following documents in order to receive the credit:
A copy of the settlement statement showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase. Normally, this is the properly executed Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement.
For mobile home purchasers who are unable to get a settlement statement, a copy of the executed retail sales contract showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, purchase price and date of purchase.
For a newly constructed home where a settlement statement is not available, a copy of the certificate of occupancy showing the owner’s name, property address and date of the certificate.
In addition, the new law allows a long-time resident of the same main home to claim the homebuyer credit if they purchase a new principal residence. To qualify, eligible taxpayers must show that they lived in their old homes for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period ending on the purchase date of the new home. The IRS has stepped up compliance checks involving the homebuyer credit, and it encouraged homebuyers claiming this part of the credit to avoid refund delays by attaching documentation covering the five-consecutive-year period:
Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement, or substitute mortgage interest statements,
Property tax records or
Homeowner’s insurance records.
The IRS also reminded homebuyers that the new documentation requirements mean that taxpayers claiming the credit cannot file electronically and must file paper returns. Taxpayers can still use IRS Free File to prepare their returns, but the returns must be printed out and sent to the IRS, along with all required documentation.
Normally, it takes about four to eight weeks to get a refund claimed on a complete and accurate paper return where all required documents are attached. For those homebuyers filing early, the IRS expects the first refunds based on the homebuyer credit will be issued toward the end of March.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to use direct deposit to speed their refund. In addition, taxpayers can use Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov to track the status of their refund.
More details on claiming the credit can be found in the instructions to Form 5405, as well as on the First-Time Homebuyer Credit page on IRS.gov.

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Five mistakes that make house flipping a flop

Do your research and make sure you have what it takes before you try to turn a profit with real estate.

By Lisa Smith of Investopedia

more on Investopedia.com

·         7 tips on buying a home in a down market

·         6 tips on selling your home in a down market

·         Home renovations that don't pay

House flipping has become the day trading of the 2000s. But in the rush to make a profit, far too many would-be real-estate moguls overlook the basics and end up failing. Here are the five biggest mistakes investors make in this market and how to avoid them.

1. Not enough money
Dabbling in real estate is an expensive proposition. The first expense is the property acquisition cost. While low- and no-money-down financing claims abound, finding these deals from a legitimate vendor is easier said than done. Also, if you're financing the acquisition, that means you're paying interest. Although the interest on borrowed money is tax deductible, it is not a 100% deduction. Every dollar spent on interest adds to the amount you will need to earn on the sale just to break even.

Paying cash eliminates the interest, but even then, there are costs to holding a property, such as taxes and utilities. Renovation costs must also be factored in. If you plan to fix the house up and sell it for a profit, the sale price must exceed the combined cost of acquiring the property, holding it and renovating it. Even if you overcome these hurdles, don't forget about capital gains taxes, which will chip away at your profit.

Read:  House flipping makes a comeback

2. Not enough time
Renovating and flipping houses is time-consuming. It can take months to find and buy the right property. Once you own the house, you'll need to invest time to fix it up. Before you can sell it, you'll need to schedule inspections to make sure the property complies with applicable building codes. If it doesn't, you need to spend more time and money to bring it up to par. Next, you'll need to invest time to sell the property. If you show it to prospective buyers yourself, you'll spend plenty of time commuting to and from the property and meeting with potential buyers.

• Video: Find a great home for less than $500,000

If you are able to make a 10% profit on a house that cost $50,000, you'll make a $5,000 profit. For many people, it might make more sense to get a good job, where they can earn that kind of money in a few weeks or months via a steady paycheck -- with no risk and a consistent time commitment.

House-flipping tips for beginners

3. Not enough skills
Professional builders and skilled professionals, such as carpenters and plumbers, often flip houses as a sideline to their regular jobs. They have the knowledge, skills and experience to find and fix a house. Some of them also have union jobs that provide unemployment checks all winter long while they work on their side projects.

The real money in house flipping comes from sweat equity. If you're handy with a hammer, enjoy laying carpet, can hang drywall, roof a house and install a kitchen sink, you have the skills to flip a house. On the other hand, if you have to pay a professional to do all of this work, the odds of making a profit on your investment will be dramatically reduced.

House Flipping Back?

View more MSN videosGo to CNBC

4. Not enough knowledge
To be successful, you need to be able to pick the right property, in the right location, at the right price. In a neighborhood of $100,000 homes, do you really expect to buy at $60,000 and sell at $200,000? The market is far too efficient for that to occur frequently.

Even if you get the deal of a lifetime, you need to know which renovations to make and which to skip. You also need to understand the applicable tax laws and know when to cut your losses and get out before your project becomes a money pit.

5. Not enough patience
Professionals take their time and wait for the right property. Novices rush out and hire the first contractor that makes a bid to address work they can't do themselves. Professionals either do the work themselves or rely on a network of prearranged, reliable contractors.

• Facebook users: Become a fan of MSN Real Estate

Novices hire a real-estate agent to help sell the house. Professionals rely on "for sale by owner" efforts to minimize their costs and maximize profits. Novices expect to rush through the process, slap on a coat of paint and earn a fortune. Professionals understand that buying and selling houses takes time and that the profit margins are sometimes slim.

Bottom line
Before you get involved in flipping houses, do your research. Like any other business venture, flipping requires time, money, patience and skill, and it will definitely be more difficult than you imagined.

 

 

 

 

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First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed a bill into law that immediately extended the popular tax credit program offering up to $8,000 for qualified first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) into the first half of 2010. The bill also instantly expanded the program, offering up to $6,500 in tax credits for qualified repeat home buyers, swinging open the door for even more qualified homebuyers to take advantage of this valuable opportunity at a time when mortgage rates are still near historical lows. First-Time Buyers For FTHBs (defined as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title), the basic rules remain the same, with one important exception – higher income limits are now in place, increasing the pool of potential buyers eligible for the tax credit of up to 10% of the purchase price or up to $8,000. This is money that does not have to be repaid as long you stay in your new home for at least 36 months. Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are now eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap (but less than $145,000) can receive a partial credit. Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap (but less than $245,000) can receive a partial credit.

    

Repeat Buyers
The new homebuyer program offers an exciting new opportunity missing from the previous incentives – a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. This gives those who already own a qualifying residence some additional reasons to take advantage of lower home prices and interest rates and finally move up to the home of their dreams.
 
Important Deadlines
Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.

Get the Facts
There are other important rules and guidelines you must meet to qualify for this great opportunity. So, if you or someone you know has missed out on the first two home buyer tax credit programs in the last two years, don't wait. Give us a call today. We'll gladly review your situation and see if you can benefit from this new and improved program.

 

Call East Tennessee Realty Group today and any of our experienced agents can help you take advantage of this great opportunity before it is too late!   865-774-7764 

Toll Free 888-662-3874

Good news for buyers out there!

May 15, 2009

NEW INFORMATION OF $ 8,000 TAX CREDIT
Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration will permit its lenders to allow homebuyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.
Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit.
Donovan says FHA's approved lenders will be permitted to "monetize" the tax credit through short-term bridge loans.
This will allow eligible homebuyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.
Check with your lender for more information and availability.

New THDA Stimulus Second Mortgage Program

New THDA Stimulus Second Mortgage Program

Earlier this year, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (“2009 Tax Act”). In division B, Title I, Section 1006, there is a provision for a First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit (Form 5405) up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price. This act provides for an exception for principal residences purchased between January 1, 2009, and November 30, 2009, which enables a first time homebuyer to receive the tax credit with no repayment required if the homebuyer occupies the property for 3 years. The 2009 Tax Act also provides for use of this credit with loans purchased with proceeds of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. Therefore, this credit can now be used with THDA’s mortgage programs.

THDA is implementing a new second mortgage program, THDA Stimulus Loan Program, for down payment and closing cost assistance. This program will complement THDA’s existing Homeownership Choices incorporating the tax credit. In order to be eligible for the second mortgage program, THDA MUST be providing funding for the first mortgage through the Great Rate or Great Advantage programs for the borrower(s) to purchase the home. Both the first and second mortgage must close on or before November 30, 2009. The November 30, 2009, date also applies to new construction. The new home must be complete and the loan closed on or before November 30, 2009.

PROGRAM TERMS

• Eligible Borrower: Homebuyer obtaining THDA first mortgage Great Rate or Great Advantage loans and who is otherwise eligible for the First Time Homebuyer Credit.
• Maximum Household Income: THDA Homeownership Choices limits apply.
• Maximum Loan Amount: 3.5% of Purchase Price
• Interest Rate: 0% deferred until June 1, 2010, 1% above corresponding first mortgage rate if amortized.
• Loan Term: After initial deferral period, the loan will fully amortize over 10 years, beginning July 1, 2010.
• The Stimulus Loan Program is only available on FHA loans.
• Underwriting Criteria: Borrowers must have 620 minimum credit score. Must include amortizing second mortgage payment in total housing expense ratio and back end ratio cannot exceed 45%. Manual underwriting is not permitted.
• Pre-Payment: The second mortgage loan is due in full upon first mortgage payoff, assumption, or refinance. No pre-payment penalty.
• Allowable Fees: Normal and customary second mortgage fees.
• Closing Documents: Second Mortgage Note and Deed of Trust must close in the name of THDA. Title Policy must insure first and second mortgage.
• Homebuyer Education: Required prior to closing on first mortgage loan.
• Servicing: Servicer will service combined payments. Under this program, both the first and second mortgage must be serviced by U.S. Bank.

THDA is not a direct lender. For more information on this mortgage program, please click HERE to find a participating lender,

If you have any questions or need additional information from THDA, please contact Ed Lozier by email or at 615-815-2082.

404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1200, Nashville TN 37243-0900
General Information 615-815-2200 -- Toll Free Message Line 800-228-THDA -- TTY Line 615-532-2894

 

 

 

ETRG co/owner Fran Troxler, Working Hard!