Hope for Homeowners

Q&A related to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008

by Best FHA Lender on September 3, 2008
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Here is an article from the Arizona Republic that discusses basic questions regarding the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  In a question and answer format, it discusses various types of government mortgage relief and government refinance assistance (including Hope for Homeowners) that are offered in the Act. 

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, signed into law by President Bush on July 30, has sparked numerous debates over its mechanisms to assist struggling homeowners, future homebuyers and lending institutions. However, some of the complex law’s nuances are poorly understood, and certain provisions have received only a passing mention in news reports. In an effort to better explain the law, here are five key questions and answers:

To see more follow the link to the article.  Nevertheless, I believe that many of the topics are covered in more detail here on this site.

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HOPE For Homeowners Program

by Best FHA Lender on August 23, 2008
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The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 provides government refinance assistance and mortgage relief through the establishment of the HOPE for Homeowners Program.

Here are some of the highlights:

Creates a FHA program with voluntary participation on the part of the homeowner and existing lien holder to allow homeowners to avoid foreclosure by reducing the principle balance and interest rate on their mortgage for their primary residence.

Requirements for participation are:

  • Borrower can not have intentionally defaulted on the mortgage or any other debt.
  • Borrower can not have obtained the mortgage fraudulently.
  • Borrower must have a debt-to-income ratio higher than 31%.
  • Borrower must qualify for the new loan using FHA underwriting standards.
  • Borrower must not have been convicted for fraud in the past 10 years.
  • Borrower must prove that it is his/her primary residence and the only one that he/she currently owns.

Balance of new mortgage shall not exceed 90% of the appraised value of the home.

All prepayment penalties and fees and/or penalties related to default or delinquency shall be waived or forgiven.

There can be no remaining subordinate (second) mortgages.

New mortgage must be a 30 year fixed FHA loan.

During the first five years after the refinance, the only second mortgages allowed on the home will be for home improvement and must not exceed a CLTV of 95% and must not reduce the value of the Government’s equity in the borrower’s home.

The Borrower will share any future equity with the Government which will be split when the home is sold or refinanced as follows:

 

Gov’t

Borrower

Year 1

100%

0%

Year 2

90%

10%

Year 3

80%

20%

Year 4

70%

30%

Year 5

60%

40%

After

50%

50%

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following is an excerpt from the legislation pertaining to the HOPE for Homeowners Program.

TITLE IV–HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS

SEC. 1401. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `HOPE for Homeowners Act of 2008′.

SEC. 1402. ESTABLISHMENT OF HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment- Title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 257. HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM.

`(a) Establishment- There is established in the Federal Housing Administration a HOPE for Homeowners Program.

`(b) Purpose- The purpose of the HOPE for Homeowners Program is–

`(1) to create an FHA program, participation in which is voluntary on the part of homeowners and existing loan holders to insure refinanced loans for distressed borrowers to support long-term, sustainable homeownership;

`(2) to allow homeowners to avoid foreclosure by reducing the principle balance outstanding, and interest rate charged, on their mortgages;

`(3) to help stabilize and provide confidence in mortgage markets by bringing transparency to the value of assets based on mortgage assets;

`(4) to target mortgage assistance under this section to homeowners for their principal residence;

`(5) to enhance the administrative capacity of the FHA to carry out its expanded role under the HOPE for Homeowners Program;

`(6) to ensure the HOPE for Homeowners Program remains in effect only for as long as is necessary to provide stability to the housing market; and

`(7) to provide servicers of delinquent mortgages with additional methods and approaches to avoid foreclosure.

`(c) Establishment and Implementation of Program Requirements-

`(1) DUTIES OF THE BOARD- In order to carry out the purposes of the HOPE for Homeowners Program, the Board shall–

`(A) establish requirements and standards for the program; and

`(B) prescribe such regulations and provide such guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to implement such requirements and standards.

`(2) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY- In carrying out any of the program requirements or standards established under paragraph (1), the Secretary may issue such interim guidance and mortgagee letters as the Secretary determines necessary or appropriate.

`(d) Insurance of Mortgages- The Secretary is authorized upon application of a mortgagee to make commitments to insure or to insure any eligible mortgage that has been refinanced in a manner meeting the requirements under subsection (e).

`(e) Requirements of Insured Mortgages- To be eligible for insurance under this section, a refinanced eligible mortgage shall comply with all of the following requirements:

`(1) LACK OF CAPACITY TO PAY EXISTING MORTGAGE-

`(A) BORROWER CERTIFICATION-

`(i) IN GENERAL- The mortgagor shall provide certification to the Secretary that the mortgagor has not intentionally defaulted on the mortgage or any other debt, and has not knowingly, or willfully and with actual knowledge, furnished material information known to be false for the purpose of obtaining any eligible mortgage.

`(ii) PENALTIES-

`(I) FALSE STATEMENT- Any certification filed pursuant to clause (i) shall contain an acknowledgment that any willful false statement made in such certification is punishable under section 1001, of title 18, United States Code, by fine or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both.

`(II) LIABILITY FOR REPAYMENT- The mortgagor shall agree in writing that the mortgagor shall be liable to repay to the Federal Housing Administration any direct financial benefit achieved from the reduction of indebtedness on the existing mortgage or mortgages on the residence refinanced under this section derived from misrepresentations made in the certifications and documentation required under this subparagraph, subject to the discretion of the Secretary.

`(B) CURRENT BORROWER DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO- As of March 1, 2008, the mortgagor shall have had a ratio of mortgage debt to income, taking into consideration all existing mortgages of that mortgagor at such time, greater than 31 percent (or such higher amount as the Board determines appropriate).

`(2) DETERMINATION OF PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION AMOUNT- The principal obligation amount of the refinanced eligible mortgage to be insured shall–

`(A) be determined by the reasonable ability of the mortgagor to make his or her mortgage payments, as such ability is determined by the Secretary pursuant to section 203(b)(4) or by any other underwriting standards established by the Board; and

`(B) not exceed 90 percent of the appraised value of the property to which such mortgage relates.

`(3) REQUIRED WAIVER OF PREPAYMENT PENALTIES AND FEES- All penalties for prepayment or refinancing of the eligible mortgage, and all fees and penalties related to default or delinquency on the eligible mortgage, shall be waived or forgiven.

`(4) EXTINGUISHMENT OF SUBORDINATE LIENS-

`(A) REQUIRED AGREEMENT- All holders of outstanding mortgage liens on the property to which the eligible mortgage relates shall agree to accept the proceeds of the insured loan as payment in full of all indebtedness under the eligible mortgage, and all encumbrances related to such eligible mortgage shall be removed. The Secretary may take such actions, subject to standards established by the Board under subparagraph (B), as may be necessary and appropriate to facilitate coordination and agreement between the holders of the existing senior mortgage and any existing subordinate mortgages, taking into consideration the subordinate lien status of such subordinate mortgages.

`(B) SHARED APPRECIATION-

`(i) IN GENERAL- The Board shall establish standards and policies that will allow for the payment to the holder of any existing subordinate mortgage of a portion of any future appreciation in the property secured by such eligible mortgage that is owed to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (k).

`(ii) FACTORS- In establishing the standards and policies required under clause (i), the Board shall take into consideration–

`(I) the status of any subordinate mortgage;

`(II) the outstanding principal balance of and accrued interest on the existing senior mortgage and any outstanding subordinate mortgages;

`(III) the extent to which the current appraised value of the property securing a subordinate mortgage is less than the outstanding principal balance and accrued interest on any other liens that are senior to such subordinate mortgage; and

`(IV) such other factors as the Board determines to be appropriate.

`(C) VOLUNTARY PROGRAM- This paragraph may not be construed to require any holder of any existing mortgage to participate in the program under this section generally, or with respect to any particular loan.

`(5) TERM OF MORTGAGE- The refinanced eligible mortgage to be insured shall–

`(A) bear interest at a single rate that is fixed for the entire term of the mortgage; and

`(B) have a maturity of not less than 30 years from the date of the beginning of amortization of such refinanced eligible mortgage.

`(6) MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT- The principal obligation amount of the eligible mortgage to be insured shall not exceed 132 percent of the dollar amount limitation in effect for 2007 under section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) for a property of the applicable size.

`(7) PROHIBITION ON SECOND LIENS- A mortgagor may not grant a new second lien on the mortgaged property during the first 5 years of the term of the mortgage insured under this section, except as the Board determines to be necessary to ensure the maintenance of property standards; and provided that such new outstanding liens (A) do not reduce the value of the Government’s equity in the borrower’s home; and (B) when combined with the mortgagor’s existing mortgage indebtedness, do not exceed 95 percent of the home’s appraised value at the time of the new second lien.

`(8) APPRAISALS- Any appraisal conducted in connection with a mortgage insured under this section shall–

`(A) be based on the current value of the property;

`(B) be conducted in accordance with title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3331 et seq.);

`(C) be completed by an appraiser who meets the competency requirements of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice;

`(D) be wholly consistent with the appraisal standards, practices, and procedures under section 202(e) of this Act that apply to all loans insured under this Act; and

`(E) comply with the requirements of subsection (g) of this section (relating to appraisal independence).

`(9) DOCUMENTATION AND VERIFICATION OF INCOME- In complying with the FHA underwriting requirements under the HOPE for Homeowners Program under this section, the mortgagee shall document and verify the income of the mortgagor or non-filing status by procuring (A) an income tax return transcript of the income tax returns of the mortgagor, or(B) a copy of the income tax returns from the Internal Revenue Service, for the two most recent years for which the filing deadline for such years has passed and by any other method, in accordance with procedures and standards that the Board shall establish.

`(10) MORTGAGE FRAUD- The mortgagor shall not have been convicted under Federal or State law for fraud during the 10-year period ending upon the insurance of the mortgage under this section.

`(11) PRIMARY RESIDENCE- The mortgagor shall provide documentation satisfactory in the determination of the Secretary to prove that the residence covered by the mortgage to be insured under this section is occupied by the mortgagor as the primary residence of the mortgagor, and that such residence is the only residence in which the mortgagor has any present ownership interest.

`(f) Study of Auction or Bulk Refinance Program-

`(1) STUDY- The Board shall conduct a study of the need for and efficacy of an auction or bulk refinancing mechanism to facilitate refinancing of existing residential mortgages that are at risk for foreclosure into mortgages insured under this section. The study shall identify and examine various options for mechanisms under which lenders and servicers of such mortgages may make bids for forward commitments for such insurance in an expedited manner.

`(2) CONTENT-

`(A) ANALYSIS- The study required under paragraph (1) shall analyze–

`(i) the feasibility of establishing a mechanism that would facilitate the more rapid refinancing of borrowers at risk of foreclosure into performing mortgages insured under this section;

`(ii) whether such a mechanism would provide an effective and efficient mechanism to reduce foreclosures on qualified existing mortgages;

`(iii) whether the use of an auction or bulk refinance program is necessary to stabilize the housing market and reduce the impact of turmoil in that market on the economy of the United States;

`(iv) whether there are other mechanisms or authority that would be useful to reduce foreclosure; and

`(v) and any other factors that the Board considers relevant.

`(B) DETERMINATIONS- To the extent that the Board finds that a facility of the type described in subparagraph (A) is feasible and useful, the study shall–

`(i) determine and identify any additional authority or resources needed to establish and operate such a mechanism;

`(ii) determine whether there is a need for additional authority with respect to the loan underwriting criteria established in this section or with respect to eligibility of participating borrowers, lenders, or holders of liens;

`(iii) determine whether such underwriting criteria should be established on the basis of individual loans, in the aggregate, or otherwise to facilitate the goal of refinancing borrowers at risk of foreclosure into viable loans insured under this section.

`(3) REPORT- Not later than the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, the Board shall submit a report regarding the results of the study conducted under this subsection to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. The report shall include a detailed description of the analysis required under paragraph (2)(A) and of the determinations made pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), and shall include any other findings and recommendations of the Board pursuant to the study, including identifying various options for mechanisms described in paragraph (1).

`(g) Appraisal Independence-

`(1) PROHIBITIONS ON INTERESTED PARTIES IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION- No mortgage lender, mortgage broker, mortgage banker, real estate broker, appraisal management company, employee of an appraisal management company, nor any other person with an interest in a real estate transaction involving an appraisal in connection with a mortgage insured under this section shall improperly influence, or attempt to improperly influence, through coercion, extortion, collusion, compensation, instruction, inducement, intimidation, nonpayment for services rendered, or bribery, the development, reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal sought in connection with the mortgage.

`(2) CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES- The Secretary may impose a civil money penalty for any knowing and material violation of paragraph (1) under the same terms and conditions as are authorized in section 536(a) of this Act.

`(h) Standards To Protect Against Adverse Selection-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Board shall, by rule or order, establish standards and policies to require the underwriter of the insured loan to provide such representations and warranties as the Board considers necessary or appropriate to enforce compliance with all underwriting and appraisal standards of the HOPE for Homeowners Program.

`(2) EXCLUSION FOR VIOLATIONS- The Board shall prohibit the Secretary from paying insurance benefits to a mortgagee who violates the representations and warranties, as established under paragraph (1), or in any case in which a mortgagor fails to make the first payment on a refinanced eligible mortgage.

`(3) OTHER AUTHORITY- The Board may establish such other standards or policies as necessary to protect against adverse selection, including requiring loans identified by the Secretary as higher risk loans to demonstrate payment performance for a reasonable period of time prior to being insured under the program.

`(i) Premiums- For each refinanced eligible mortgage insured under this section, the Secretary shall establish and collect–

`(1) at the time of insurance, a single premium payment in an amount equal to 3 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the refinanced eligible mortgage, which shall be paid from the proceeds of the mortgage being insured under this section, through the reduction of the amount of indebtedness that existed on the eligible mortgage prior to refinancing; and

`(2) in addition to the premium required under paragraph (1), an annual premium in an amount equal to 1.5 percent of the amount of the remaining insured principal balance of the mortgage.

`(j) Origination Fees and Interest Rate- The Board shall establish–

`(1) a reasonable limitation on origination fees for refinanced eligible mortgages insured under this section; and

`(2) procedures to ensure that interest rates on such mortgages shall be commensurate with market rate interest rates on such types of loans.

`(k) Equity and Appreciation-

`(1) FIVE-YEAR PHASE-IN FOR EQUITY AS A RESULT OF SALE OR REFINANCING- For each eligible mortgage insured under this section, the Secretary and the mortgagor of such mortgage shall, upon any sale or disposition of the property to which such mortgage relates, or upon the subsequent refinancing of such mortgage, be entitled to the following with respect to any equity created as a direct result of such sale or refinancing:

`(A) If such sale or refinancing occurs during the period that begins on the date that such mortgage is insured and ends 1 year after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 100 percent of such equity.

`(B) If such sale or refinancing occurs during the period that begins 1 year after such date of insurance and ends 2 years after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 90 percent of such equity and the mortgagor shall be entitled to 10 percent of such equity.

`(C) If such sale or refinancing occurs during the period that begins 2 years after such date of insurance and ends 3 years after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 80 percent of such equity and the mortgagor shall be entitled to 20 percent of such equity.

`(D) If such sale or refinancing occurs during the period that begins 3 years after such date of insurance and ends 4 years after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 70 percent of such equity and the mortgagor shall be entitled to 30 percent of such equity.

`(E) If such sale or refinancing occurs during the period that begins 4 years after such date of insurance and ends 5 years after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 60 percent of such equity and the mortgagor shall be entitled to 40 percent of such equity.

`(F) If such sale or refinancing occurs during any period that begins 5 years after such date of insurance, the Secretary shall be entitled to 50 percent of such equity and the mortgagor shall be entitled to 50 percent of such equity.

`(2) APPRECIATION IN VALUE- For each eligible mortgage insured under this section, the Secretary and the mortgagor of such mortgage shall, upon any sale or disposition of the property to which such mortgage relates, each be entitled to 50 percent of any appreciation in value of the appraised value of such property that has occurred since the date that such mortgage was insured under this section.

`(l) Establishment of HOPE Fund-

`(1) IN GENERAL- There is established in the Federal Housing Administration a revolving fund to be known as the Home Ownership Preservation Entity Fund, which shall be used by the Board for carrying out the mortgage insurance obligations under this section.

`(2) MANAGEMENT OF FUND- The HOPE Fund shall be administered and managed by the Secretary, who shall establish reasonable and prudent criteria for the management and operation of any amounts in the HOPE Fund.

`(m) Limitation on Aggregate Insurance Authority- The aggregate original principal obligation of all mortgages insured under this section may not exceed $300,000,000,000.

`(n) Reports by the Board- The Board shall submit monthly reports to the Congress identifying the progress of the HOPE for Homeowners Program, which shall contain the following information for each month:

`(1) The number of new mortgages insured under this section, including the location of the properties subject to such mortgages by census tract.

`(2) The aggregate principal obligation of new mortgages insured under this section.

`(3) The average amount by which the principle balance outstanding on mortgages insured this section was reduced.

`(4) The amount of premiums collected for insurance of mortgages under this section.

`(5) The claim and loss rates for mortgages insured under this section.

`(6) Any other information that the Board considers appropriate.

`(o) Required Outreach Efforts- The Secretary shall carry out outreach efforts to ensure that homeowners, lenders, and the general public are aware of the opportunities for assistance available under this section.

`(p) Enhancement of FHA Capacity- Under the direction of the Board, the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to–

`(1) contract for the establishment of underwriting criteria, automated underwriting systems, pricing standards, and other factors relating to eligibility for mortgages insured under this section;

`(2) contract for independent quality reviews of underwriting, including appraisal reviews and fraud detection, of mortgages insured under this section or pools of such mortgages; and

`(3) increase personnel of the Department as necessary to process or monitor the processing of mortgages insured under this section.

`(q) GNMA Commitment Authority-

`(1) GUARANTEES- The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that securities based on and backed by a trust or pool composed of mortgages insured under this section are available to be guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association as to the timely payment of principal and interest.

`(2) GUARANTEE AUTHORITY- To carry out the purposes of section 306 of the National Housing Act

 

$7500 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

by Best FHA Lender on August 22, 2008
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tax refund check $7500 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

Click here for post that explains the updates to the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009.

The recently enacted Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221) created at $7500 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers.
 
First Time Homebuyers will be able to take a $7500 tax credit (or 10% of the purchase price of the home…whichever is lower) on their 2008 returns, which must be paid back, interest free, over the course of 15 years. 

Here are the details:

First time homebuyers (those who have not owned a primary residence for 3 years prior to their home purchase) who purchase their home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 will be eligible for the tax credit.

Single taxpayers with modified gross incomes up to $75,000 and married taxpayers with a joint modified gross income of up to $150,000 are eligible for the full $7500.  Above those incomes, the tax credit begins to phase out.

This is a tax credit, and not a tax deduction, meaning that it is a dollar for dollar reduction on taxes owed, as opposed to a tax deduction, which reduces the amount of your adjusted gross income that can be taxed.

The credit is refundable, meaning if you owe $2000 in taxes and take the $7500 credit, you will receive at $5500 refund.

The credit must be repaid to the government over 15 years or when the house is sold.  For those taking the tax credit in 2008, the first $500 payment would need to be made when the buyer files their 2010 tax return.

This tax credit is basically an interest free loan.

 

 

The following is an excerpt from the legislation pertaining to the First-Time Homebuyer Credit.

SEC. 36. FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT.

`(a) Allowance of Credit- In the case of an individual who is a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence in the United States during a taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such taxable year an amount equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of the residence.

`(b) Limitations-

`(1) DOLLAR LIMITATION-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the credit allowed under subsection (a) shall not exceed $7,500.

`(B) MARRIED INDIVIDUALS FILING SEPARATELY- In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting `$3,750′ for `$7,500′.

`(C) OTHER INDIVIDUALS- If two or more individuals who are not married purchase a principal residence, the amount of the credit allowed under subsection (a) shall be allocated among such individuals in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe, except that the total amount of the credits allowed to all such individuals shall not exceed $7,500.

`(2) LIMITATION BASED ON MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The amount allowable as a credit under subsection (a) (determined without regard to this paragraph) for the taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which is so allowable as–

`(i) the excess (if any) of–

`(I) the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over

`(II) $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return), bears to

`(ii) $20,000.

`(B) MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `modified adjusted gross income’ means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.

`(c) Definitions- For purposes of this section–

`(1) FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER- The term `first-time homebuyer’ means any individual if such individual (and if married, such individual’s spouse) had no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the principal residence to which this section applies.

`(2) PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE- The term `principal residence’ has the same meaning as when used in section 121.

`(3) PURCHASE-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `purchase’ means any acquisition, but only if–

`(i) the property is not acquired from a person related to the person acquiring such property, and

`(ii) the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring such property is not determined–

`(I) in whole or in part by reference to the adjusted basis of such property in the hands of the person from whom acquired, or

`(II) under section 1014(a) (relating to property acquired from a decedent).

`(B) CONSTRUCTION- A residence which is constructed by the taxpayer shall be treated as purchased by the taxpayer on the date the taxpayer first occupies such residence.

`(4) PURCHASE PRICE- The term `purchase price’ means the adjusted basis of the principal residence on the date such residence is purchased.

`(5) RELATED PERSONS- A person shall be treated as related to another person if the relationship between such persons would result in the disallowance of losses under section 267 or 707(b) (but, in applying section 267(b) and (c) for purposes of this section, paragraph (4) of section 267(c) shall be treated as providing that the family of an individual shall include only his spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants).

`(d) Exceptions- No credit under subsection (a) shall be allowed to any taxpayer for any taxable year with respect to the purchase of a residence if–

`(1) a credit under section 1400C (relating to first-time homebuyer in the District of Columbia) is allowable to the taxpayer (or the taxpayer’s spouse) for such taxable year or any prior taxable year,

`(2) the residence is financed by the proceeds of a qualified mortgage issue the interest on which is exempt from tax under section 103,

`(3) the taxpayer is a nonresident alien, or

`(4) the taxpayer disposes of such residence (or such residence ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer (and, if married, the taxpayer’s spouse)) before the close of such taxable year.

`(e) Reporting- If the Secretary requires information reporting under section 6045 by a person described in subsection (e)(2) thereof to verify the eligibility of taxpayers for the credit allowable by this section, the exception provided by section 6045(e) shall not apply.

`(f) Recapture of Credit-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a credit under subsection (a) is allowed to a taxpayer, the tax imposed by this chapter shall be increased by 6 2/3 percent of the amount of such credit for each taxable year in the recapture period.

`(2) ACCELERATION OF RECAPTURE- If a taxpayer disposes of the principal residence with respect to which a credit was allowed under subsection (a) (or such residence ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer (and, if married, the taxpayer’s spouse)) before the end of the recapture period–

`(A) the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year of such disposition or cessation shall be increased by the excess of the amount of the credit allowed over the amounts of tax imposed by paragraph (1) for preceding taxable years, and

`(B) paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to such credit for such taxable year or any subsequent taxable year.

`(3) LIMITATION BASED ON GAIN- In the case of the sale of the principal residence to a person who is not related to the taxpayer, the increase in tax determined under paragraph (2) shall not exceed the amount of gain (if any) on such sale. Solely for purposes of the preceding sentence, the adjusted basis of such residence shall be reduced by the amount of the credit allowed under subsection (a) to the extent not previously recaptured under paragraph (1).

`(4) EXCEPTIONS-

`(A) DEATH OF TAXPAYER- Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any taxable year ending after the date of the taxpayer’s death.

`(B) INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION- Paragraph (2) shall not apply in the case of a residence which is compulsorily or involuntarily converted (within the meaning of section 1033(a)) if the taxpayer acquires a new principal residence during the 2-year period beginning on the date of the disposition or cessation referred to in paragraph (2). Paragraph (2) shall apply to such new principal residence during the recapture period in the same manner as if such new principal residence were the converted residence.

`(C) TRANSFERS BETWEEN SPOUSES OR INCIDENT TO DIVORCE- In the case of a transfer of a residence to which section 1041(a) applies–

`(i) paragraph (2) shall not apply to such transfer, and

`(ii) in the case of taxable years ending after such transfer, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply to the transferee in the same manner as if such transferee were the transferor (and shall not apply to the transferor).

`(5) JOINT RETURNS- In the case of a credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to a joint return, half of such credit shall be treated as having been allowed to each individual filing such return for purposes of this subsection.

`(6) RETURN REQUIREMENT- If the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year is increased under this subsection, the taxpayer shall, notwithstanding section 6012, be required to file a return with respect to the taxes imposed under this subtitle.

`(7) RECAPTURE PERIOD- For purposes of this subsection, the term `recapture period’ means the 15 taxable years beginning with the second taxable year following the taxable year in which the purchase of the principal residence for which a credit is allowed under subsection (a) was made.

`(g) Election to Treat Purchase in Prior Year- In the case of a purchase of a principal residence after December 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, a taxpayer may elect to treat such purchase as made on December 31, 2008, for purposes of this section (other than subsection (c)).

`(h) Application of Section- This section shall only apply to a principal residence purchased by the taxpayer on or after April 9, 2008, and before July 1, 2009.’.

(b) Conforming Amendments-

(1) Section 26(b)(2) is amended by striking `and’ at the end of subparagraph (U), by striking the period and inserting `, and’ and the end of subparagraph (V), and by inserting after subparagraph (V) the following new subparagraph:

`(W) section 36(f) (relating to recapture of homebuyer credit).’.

(2) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) is amended by striking `34,’ and all that follows through `6428′ and inserting `34, 35, 36, 53(e), and 6428′.

(3) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting `36,’ after `35,’.

(4) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by redesignating the item relating to section 36 as an item relating to section 37 and by inserting before such item the following new item:

`Sec. 36. First-time homebuyer credit.’.

(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to residences purchased on or after April 9, 2008, in taxable years ending on or after such date.

 

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