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    johnstar1234's Avatar
    johnstar1234 Posts: 15, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 25, 2009, 06:40 AM
    First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit for Non Resident Aliens
    Hi,

    Hope everyone is doing great.

    I am currently on H1B Visa which makes me an NRA (Non-Resident Alien). We are planning to buy a house and our realtor told us that as NRA we are eligible to get the First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit.

    I tried to find something about NRA's in .gov Web sites for the tax credit but didn't find anything specifically saying that.

    Does anyone in this thread know anything about it?

    Thank you very much in advance :D
    MukatA's Avatar
    MukatA Posts: 7,110, Reputation: 176
    Tax Expert
    		  
    #2

    Apr 26, 2009, 12:31 AM

    Nonresident are not eligible. Residents even with ITIN and no SSN are eligible.
    Your U.S. Tax Return: First-Time Homebuyer Credit
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #3

    Apr 27, 2009, 10:46 AM
    JohnStar1234:

    You said "we" are planning on buying a house, which I assume means you and your spouse. If so, and given that you are under a H-1B visa, then, for 2009, you can file as a resident alien, even if you spent part of 2009 in NRA status.

    If you file as a resident alien, then you ARE eligible for the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer's Credit.

    If you qualified to file as a resident alien in 2008 (which you did if you lived in the U.S. for at least 31 consecutive days under your H-1B visa in 2008) AND you buy the house by 1 July 2009, you can amend your 2008 return to claim the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer's Credit.

    Contact me at [email protected] with your details and I will walk you through the process.
    johnstar1234's Avatar
    johnstar1234 Posts: 15, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Apr 27, 2009, 07:47 PM

    Thank you very much for your reply. I do have an SSN and my wife has ITIN. In addition, IRS recognizes us as residents but in my immigrations papers I am a non-resident-alien (why should there be so much inconsistency?).

    I don't mind getting the tax return for the year 2009 so I think an amend is not really required.

    But I feel good now because $8,000 is a good money ;-)

    Thanks again!
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #5

    Apr 28, 2009, 06:59 AM
    John:

    WHY WAIT for nine months to get the $8,000 refund?

    Amend your return NOW and get the money next month!
    johnstar1234's Avatar
    johnstar1234 Posts: 15, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Apr 29, 2009, 07:20 PM

    But I haven't bought a house yet :)

    We are in process of buying a house and it might take several weeks or months.
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #7

    Apr 30, 2009, 09:07 AM
    If you buy it by 1 July 2009, you can amend the 2008 return to get the $8,000 tax credit.

    If it goes past 1 July 2009, then you will ave to wait until you file your 2009 tax return.
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