Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit. This morning, the House of Representatives approved the agreement reached in the Senate by a vote of 403-12. The bill has now passed both chambers and is awaiting the President’s signature, which could be as early as tomorrow.

Below is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1. The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.
2. A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
3. Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
4. Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

 Click the image below to download the PDF of the complete summary of changes...

Click image to download PDF.