Denham Springs, LA

One of the great things about the new 1st Time Homebuyer tax credit is that it can be claimed as soon as you close on your home.

If you have already filed can file an amended 2008 tax return with a 1040X form. This can be done even if a home was purchased early in 2009 and the original tax return claimed the $7,500 credit from last year.

Specifically home buyers use IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim this amount on Line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. You will want to be sure that you qualify under the limits of the 1st Time Homebuyer tests.

Now that the news is out about the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 , many questions have surfaced about the $8000 first time homebuyer credit. I will discuss these this week. One of the first I get is "What Is a 1st Time Homebuyer and who is eligible to claim this tax credit?". A first time homebuyer is a person who has not owned a home in the last 3-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. For example, if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the credit. However, unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer. An example is where a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter. In this case the person qualifying as 1st time homebuyer may take the credit. If 2 qualify it may ony be claimed by one or allocated beteen them.

Spring is here!!! Now is the time to enjoy outdoor fun and sunshine. Start with

St. Patrick Festivities this weekend in Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. There will be the

annual St. Patricks Day parade Saturday, March 14 in Baton Rouge. See local newspaper for

parade route and time.

Now is the time to plan your summer travel as spring and summer are here. Choose your

favorite travel spots and make your reservations today.

And remember, this is the perfect time to check out your favorite parks and recreations for

summer time fun and camps.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer from the staff at Baton Rouge Area Homes!!!!!!!!

The Louisiana Stixx 12 year old baseball team will host its first annual Bass

Fishing Tournament in False River. The First Annual Bass Classic Fundraiser will be held on April 4,2009

at the False River-Public Landing in False River. Check in time on tournament day will be at 5:30am

with final weigh-ins by 3:00pm. Tournament registration fees will be $125.00 per boat or make the

early bird entry fee of $100.00 if registered by 6:00pm on Monday, March 30, 2009. For more

information and registration contact Jason Freneaux @ (225) 229-2636. There is a 25% guaranteed

payout.

All proceeds will benefit the Louisiana Stixx 12 Year Old Baseball Team.

The 2009 Live Oak Lady Eagles are doing it again! Both the Junior Varsity

and Varsity softball teams are off to a great start this season. The Lady Eagles have played in several

tournaments thus far this season and have come out with winning records. The Lady Eagles also lead

winning records also in regular scheduled games. The Live Oak Lady Eagles will be in action at home

on March 10 and March 12 at the Live Oak ballpark. Good Luck to the Lady Eagles throughout their

journey towards a 4A title!! Congratulations coach Morris and the entire JV and Varsity teams!!

rest of the 2009 season.