According to an IRS news release, taxpayers who qualify for the Section 36 first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home before 12/1/09 can claim the credit on their 2008 tax returns due on 4/15/09 or on their 2009 tax return filed next year. Following changes by the recently enacted American Recovery Act, they do not have to repay the credit, provided the home remains their main home for 36 months after the purchase date. They can claim 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately. However, the new law does not affect people who purchased a home after 4/8/08 and before 1/1/09—the maximum credit remains 10% of the purchase price, up to $7,500 or $3,750 for married individuals filing separately, and the credit must be repaid in 15 equal annual installments beginning with the 2010 tax year. News Release IR-2009-14 .