As senators jockey for position and work to coming to an agreement that will best help the American people and the overall economy, the stimulus plan originally pushed forward by Barack Obama is changing. Last week, the Senate voted to include an amendment to the bill which would provide a tax credit for homebuyers. If the bill passes the Senate, and if this amendment remains included when the Senate and House negotiate, and if the President signs the bill into law, anyone who purchases a house this year will be entitled to a tax credit.
The credit would be 10% of the purchase price of the house, up to $8,000. This idea is modeled after a $2,000 tax credit for homebuyers that helped the country rise from a recession in 1975. The credit would be spread over two years. For example, if you buy a house with a purchase price of $300,000, you would qualify for the maximum credit of $8,000. The first year you claim the credit, you would receive $4000, and you would receive the remaining $4000the next year.
Additionally, in its current form, the requirement to repay the credit over time will be waived. The estimated cost of this amendment is $18.5 billion. This credit, which was once set aside for first-time homebuyers, would now apply to anyone who purchases a house, including investors, speculators, flippers, and any family struggling to afford a place to call home.
So does it make sense to go out and buy a house this year if you weren’t planning to, just to receive this tax credit? I’m not so sure. The main driver for buying a house-one in which you plan to live, not one you with which you plan to invest, or more accurately, speculate-should be necessity. Incentives for purchasing an asset stands to prop up the price of that asset beyond the price the market sets for it on its own. This boost helps real estate agents and investors more than families.
Please keep in mind that the plans for this credit are subject to change until the bill is signed into law by the President of the United States.
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Tags: buying real estate, debt relief, economy, home, homebuyers, house, Houserebate, interest rates, investors, San Diego real estate, stimulus plan, tax credit
February 9, 2009 at 7:05 am
The example you use is partly correct:
For example, if you buy a house with a purchase price of $300,000, you would qualify for the maximum credit of $15,000. The first year you claim the credit, you would receive $7,500, and you would receive the remaining $7,500 the next year.
However, the $15000 is only allowed up to the amount of total tax liability. Your tax liability for both years may not be $15000. It is misguided information.
Thanks
February 13, 2009 at 11:11 am
Thanks Ron, It is assumed that folks would know that their total tax liability may not reach $7500 and so the credit only applies up to their tax liabilty. Incidentally since this post was written the proposal has changed and the proposed maximum credit was reduced to only $8000, so AS MUCH AS $4000 per year depending on your total tax liability.
February 13, 2009 at 8:12 pm
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February 19, 2009 at 10:35 am
[...] bill also increases the first-time home buyer credit from $7,500 to $8,000 mentioned in a previous blog post, and removes the requirement that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at [...]
February 19, 2009 at 10:39 am
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