How to Amend Your Tax Return to Claim the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

If you purchase a home before December 1, 2009, for purposes of the first time homebuyer tax credit, you can treat the purchase as if it had happened on December 31, 2008. So you can claim the tax credit on your 2008 return by filing an amended return for 2008.

For the amended return, the 2 forms you need to file are:

1. The Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040X)
   
2. The First-Time Homebuyer Credit (Form 5405)
   

Additional info from the IRS page about amended returns:

• If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund (you may cash that check).
  
• When filing the amended return, attach copies of any forms or schedules that are being changed as a result of the amendment including any Form(s) W-2 received after the original return was filed.
  
• Tax forms can be obtained by calling 800–829–3676 or visiting www.irs.gov
  
• Normal processing time for Forms 1040X is 8 to 12 weeks from the IRS receipt date.