Are you considering purchasing a home for the first time? There is numerous First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit for purchasing one. If you rented in the past, all of your money went to the landlord, and none of it was tax deductible. That changes if you own a property. Whether you buy a mobile home, townhouse, condominium, cooperative apartment, or single-family home, you can benefit from many tax deductions. The only disadvantage is that your taxes will get more complex. The days of plugging your W-2 information into the 1040EZ form and finishing your taxes in 10 minutes are long gone.

What Is a Homebuyers Tax Credit?

To begin, a Homebuyers tax credit is a sum of money that taxpayers can deduct directly from their taxes. Homebuyers Tax credit, as opposed to deductions, reduces the amount of tax owing rather than the amount of taxable income. The value of a Homebuyers tax credit is determined by its nature; many types of Homebuyers tax credit are only available to individuals or businesses in specified localities, classifications, or industries.

What Are the Three Types of Homebuyers Tax Credits?

Nonrefundable, refundable, or partially refundable Homebuyers tax credit are available. Refundable Homebuyers tax credit are the most advantageous since they can lower the taxpayer's tax bill to zero, in which case the person receives a refund.

Homebuyers Tax Credit vs. Tax Deductions

There are deductions and credits in the world of taxes. Credits are sums of money deducted from your tax bill. Consider them to be coupons. If you receive a $1,000 Homebuyers tax credit, your tax liability will be reduced by $1,000. A tax deduction lowers your adjusted gross income (AGI), lowering your tax liability.

If you are in the 24% tax bracket, for example, your tax burden will be reduced by 24% of the total claimed deduction. So, if you get a $1,000 deduction, your tax liability will be reduced by $240 ($1,000 24%).

First-Time Homebuyers Tax credit

The majority of the tax benefits associated with property ownership come in the form of deductions. The following are the most prevalent deductions:

First-Time Homebuyers Tax credit for mortgage Interests 

Mortgage interest on the first $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) of mortgage debt is deductible. If you purchased your property before December 16, 2017, the existing limit of $1 million ($500,000 if married, filing separately) applies. Residence mortgage interest cannot be deducted unless you itemize deductions on Schedule A Form 1040 or 1040-SR, and the mortgage is a secured loan on a home in which you have an ownership interest. You can deduct mortgage interest on a second property as long as it meets the same deductible interest rules as your primary dwelling.

First-Time Homebuyers Tax credit for Mortgage Points 

As part of a new loan or refinancing, you may have paid mortgage points to your lender. Each point purchased typically costs 1% of the total loan and reduces your interest rate by 0.25%. If you purchased $300,000 for your home, each point would be worth $3,000 ($300,000 1%). With a 4% interest rate, for example, one point would reduce the rate to 3.75% over the life of the loan. You are eligible for a deduction if you actually paid the lender for these discount points. 

First-Time Homebuyers Tax Deduction for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Borrowers who put down less than 20% on a conventional loan must pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI normally costs $30 to $70 per month for every $100,000 financed. If you fail to make mortgage payments, PMI, like other types of mortgage insurance, protects the lender (rather than you). Depending on your income and when you acquired your home, you may be able to deduct your PMI payments.

First-Time Homebuyers Tax Deduction State and Local Tax (SALT)

If you itemize on your federal return, you can deduct some taxes paid to state and local governments using the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. The previously unlimited deduction was capped to $10,000 per year in combined property taxes and either state income taxes or sales taxes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). If you are single or married filing jointly, the cap is $10,000; if you are married filing separately, the cap is $5,000.

Home Sale Exclusion

Because of the home sale exclusion, you may not have to pay taxes on the majority of the profit you generate when you sell your home. You won't have to pay taxes on the first $250,000 in profit if you owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years before the sale (i.e., capital gain). If you're married and filing jointly, the amount doubles to $500,000. However, both couples must meet the residency criterion, and at least one spouse must meet the ownership requirement (i.e., lived in the home for two out of the previous five years).

Which expenses can I itemize?

First-time buying a home tax deduction includes Home mortgage interest, home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) interest, mortgage points, private mortgage insurance (PMI), and state and local tax (SALT) deductions. Charitable contributions, accident and theft losses, some gambling losses, unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, and long-term care premiums may also be deductible.

Should you itemize First-Time Homebuyers Tax Deduction?

You have the option of taking the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. If the value of the costs you can itemize exceeds the standard deduction, itemizing makes financial sense. You must also itemize to deduct mortgage interest, mortgage points, and SALT.

What are the standard First-Time Homebuyers Tax Deduction amounts for 2022?

The standard deduction for single and married filing separately taxpayers is $12,950 in 2022, $19,400 for heads of household, and $25,900 for married filing jointly filers and surviving spouses.

The American Dream includes owning a home. There's something wonderful about trading in a lease for a deed, whether you want a log cabin in the middle of nowhere, a suburban Cape Cod with a white picket fence, or a city apartment in the sky. However, the adjustment can be tough and costly. It's difficult to save enough money for a down payment and then keep up with mortgage payments - not to mention the upkeep expenditures, which are now entirely on your shoulders!

Fortunately, REALIFF has a few tax guidelines up its sleeve to assist you in purchasing a home, saving money on home-related expenses, and selling your home tax-free. Some of them are complicated, limited, or require you to jump through hoops, but if you qualify, they might be well worth the hassle. And if your money is already stretched, you'll need all the assistance you can get. So, without further ado, here is a list of some tax breaks that can assist you in purchasing a home and succeeding as a homeowner:

• Making a Down Payment with Retirement Funds
• Deduction for Mortgage Points
• Deduction for Mortgage Interest
• Mortgage Interest Deduction
• Deduction for Home-Office Expenses
• Credits for Energy-Saving Upgrades
• Medically Necessary Home Improvements Can Be Deducted
• Rental Expenses Can Be Deducted in real estate
• Deduction for Property Taxes
• Debt Forgiveness in the Event of a Foreclosure or Short Sale
• Exclusion of Capital Gains When Selling Your Home

Hope you have enjoyed the first-time homebuyers tax deduction and find it useful. For more information, you can browse our website at www.Realiff.com.